Isiah Thomas Opens Up About How His Injury Cost the Pistons a Chance to Beat Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls to an NBA Landmark

The Detroit Pistons might be one of the worst-performing teams in the NBA right now, but they used to be a force to reckon with during the late 80s. The Pistons led by Isiah Thomas dominated the NBA before Michael Jordan and his Bulls took over as the best team in the league during the 90s.

Detroit Pistons won back-to-back championships during the late 80s. Isiah Thomas led the Pistons to three consecutive NBA Finals from 1988 to 1990. However, they lost the 1988 NBA Finals to the Lakers in seven games. However, they won the championship in the next two seasons. But, the Pistons had a great opportunity to complete a three-peat which they missed out on.

Pistons legend Isiah Thomas got injured in the Finals and the Lakers managed to win the championships that season. Isiah has recently reflected upon his injury and how it cost them a chance of beating Jordan and the Bulls to a three-peat.

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Isiah Thomas opens up on his injury and how it cost them a three-peat before Michael Jordan and the Bulls

Former Pistons star Isiah Thomas appeared in a recent episode of ‘The ETCs with Kevin Durant‘ podcast. During the podcast, he was asked about his injury during the 1988 Finals.

To this, Isiah replied, “Had I not come back and won back to back, then it would bother me. But I look at it now as you talked about history in terms of what our place in history would have been had we won three in a row during that era as opposed to winning back to back.”

“The only two teams that won back to back in that era was the Lakers and the Pistons. We would have been the first team to do it, you know, three times. That would have put you at a higher level historically. But I’m not dissatisfied at all with where we are.”

The Pistons led the series 3-2 and were in a good position to win the championship in 1988. However, during game 6, Isiah injured his ankle in the third quarter. The Lakers won the game and went on to win the championship by beating the Pistons in the 7th game.

Isiah, despite his injury in the 3rd quarter, scored 25 points in that quarter. In fact, he ended up with 43 points in the game, but couldn’t help the Pistons wrap the Finals.

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