“Probably the toughest small man to ever play the game” – Dennis Rodman recalled Isiah Thomas playing 1988 Finals with sprained ankle originally appeared on Basketball Network.
Isiah Thomas was not the most physically gifted athlete, but he possessed a strong will and was arguably the best point guard of his generation. He was universally recognised for his toughness and tenacity, which was precisely what left former teammate and defensive savant Dennis Rodman utterly impressed when remembering Thomas’ heroic performance in the 1988 NBA Finals.
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The two Hall of Famers played seven seasons together for the Detroit Pistons, making it to three consecutive Finals and winning two – in ’89 and ’90. They lost to the Lakers in ’88, when Thomas sprained his ankle in Game Six. Shockingly, he continued to play through the series.
A first-hand witness to the situation, Rodman was in complete awe of the resilience that Thomas displayed, who struggled to even get on his two feet.
“Probably the toughest small man to ever play the game. I remember in the ’88 championship in Game Seven (versus the Lakers) when he sprained his ankle … I couldn’t do that. But he did, came out, and he scored over 30 points. It was amazing,” said Rodman about Thomas.
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*The ankle sprain occurred in Game 6 of the 1988 NBA Finals
The turning point in the series
Encountering the Lakers in the 1988 Finals made for a memorable seven-game series. However, the turning point in the matchup occurred during Game Six when Thomas sprained his ankle landing on Michael Cooper’s foot. Despite the excruciating pain, he refused to sit out.
Thomas finished with 42 points, which included setting a record with 25 points in the third quarter alone. He shot 18-for-32 from the field while also collecting 8 assists and 6 steals. Despite his heroics, the Pistons ended up losing the contest by a narrow margin of 103-102.
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It ultimately came down to a Game Seven, with the Pistons having homecourt. Thomas continued to endure the pain as he suited up for the decider. That said, he posted 10 points, 7 assists and 4 steals on 33 percent shooting from the field, with the Lakers crowned champions.
Meeting for a second consecutive Finals in 1989, the Pistons avenged their defeat, sweeping the Lakers 4-0. Coach Chuck Daly and crew continued their run, repeating as champions in 1990. In what could have been a 3-peat for Detroit had Zeke not sprained his ankle during the 1988 Finals.
Zeke was a tough dude
While his petite frame would not suggest it, Thomas was one of the toughest players on the block. He did not fear stepping into the paint, which was primarily a big man zone. The two-time champion once admitted how he wished his NBA opponents were smaller.
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“Not that I wanted to be bigger, but I wanted them to be smaller. Because if we were all the same size, I would have killed them…I can’t say I was one of those guys who won every fight. But I was in the fight,” stated Thomas during his Hall of Fame induction in 2000.
A Top 5 point guard of all time, Thomas played all his 13 seasons for the Pistons. It’s no secret that he did not share the best relations with his peers, particularly Michael Jordan. Nevertheless, there was nobody who doubted his talent and skill set on the hardwood.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 16, 2025, where it first appeared.