Kelly Tripucka

Cross-checked Tripucka's official Pistons scoring and playoff histories, Detroit's account of its early Bad Boys construction, Hornets inaugural-game history, and verified archived box scores. The five span his rookie All-Star emergence, franchise-record scoring peak, Detroit's return to and breakthrough in the playoffs, and his foundational place in Charlotte basketball.

1. #1. Tripucka set a Pistons franchise record with a career-high 56 points, making 20 of 22 free throws and adding six rebounds and four assists as Detroit outlasted Chicago 128–126; the scoring mark stood for 18 years. Pistons history: Tripucka's 56-point franchise record · NBA official Bulls–Pistons box score
2. #2. The rookie Tripucka scored 49 points on 16-of-28 shooting with eight rebounds and three steals as Detroit won 109–103 at Cleveland, a singular performance from the All-Star season that helped produce an 18-win team improvement. Pistons history: rookie All-Stars Tripucka and Isiah transform Detroit · NBA official Pistons–Cavaliers box score
3. #3. Tripucka scored his playoff-career-high 40 points with seven rebounds in Detroit's 120–113 loss at New York in 1984 first-round Game 3, the scoring apex of the series that ended the Pistons' seven-year playoff drought. NBA history: Tripucka's 40 points among Detroit's playoff highs · NBA official Pistons–Knicks first-round Game 3 box score
4. #4. Tripucka recorded 12 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists as Detroit edged New Jersey 116–115 in 1985 first-round Game 3, completing the sweep and securing the franchise's first playoff-series victory in nine years. Pistons history: Tripucka helps Detroit win its first series in nine years · NBA official Pistons–Nets first-round Game 3 box score
5. #5. Tripucka banked in the first points in Charlotte Hornets history and finished with 16 points, four assists, and three rebounds in the expansion franchise's inaugural 133–93 loss to Cleveland. Hornets history: Tripucka scores the franchise's first basket · NBA official Cavaliers–Hornets inaugural box score

Reviewed through 2026-07-18