Most consecutive losses in NBA: Do Detroit Pistons have the worst record in history?
The Detroit Pistons are on a 28-game losing streak, longest in a single NBA season and in the history of the league.
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Most consecutive losses in NBA history (image: FS)
The Detroit Pistons are having one of the worst outings in franchise history this season. Their rough patch does not seem to be ending anytime soon and Monty Williams’ men digested yet another fateful loss, this time against the Boston Celtics. The Pistons are riding a 28-game losing streak which is now the record for most consecutive losses in NBA history.
Teams often struggle to find the rhythm during phases of rebuild or injury-plagued intervals. Poor performances during such challenging times has time and again seen franchises suffer losing streaks of play.
While losing streaks in a single season is bad enough, there have been occasions when such consecutive losses have even spanned across a couple of seasons. Here are the longest-losing streaks of teams who have suffered the most consecutive losses in NBA history.
5. Cleveland Cavaliers: 24 consecutive losses
The Cleveland Cavaliers endured a 24-game losing streak from March 19, 1982, to November 10, 1982. It began with a 97–119 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in March which would span across two seasons in the league.
They faced 19 of those defeats in the 1981-82 season and carried on their losing streak to five more games in the next season. Under HC Tom Nissalke, the Cavs marked 15–67 and 23–59 unimpressive records in the 1981-82 season and 1982-83 season respectively.
The team faced a losing streak due to a combination of roster changes, injuries, and a challenging rebuilding phase, contributing to a difficult start to the 1982-82 season as well. Finally, their torrid 24-game streak concluded with a victory against the Golden State Warriors on November 10, 1982.
4. Philadelphia 76ers: 26 consecutive losses
The Sixers suffered a 26-game losing streak from January 31, 2014, to March 29, 2014. It began with a 99–125 loss to the Atlanta Hawks and was previously the longest losing streak in a single NBA season until the Pistons overtook them this season.
The 26-game losing streak came during the 2013-14 NBA season, which the franchise finished with a 19-63 record. Despite the tumultuous period, the phase was touted to be a deliberate strategy to rebuild, focusing on long-term development and acquiring young talent.
Brett Brown served as the Sixers coach during this challenging season. The streak concluded with a 123–83 victory against the Detroit Pistons on March 29, 2014.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers: 26 consecutive losses
The Cleveland Cavaliers also had to face a 26-game losing streak from December 20, 2010, to February 11, 2011. Starting with a loss to the Utah Jazz, the Cavs suffered 26 consecutive losses in a single NBA season, which had previously been the longest streak in the history of the league.
The Cavaliers’ win-loss record for the 2010-2011 season was 19-63. Byron Scott was the Cavs coach during that time.
The team faced a losing streak primarily due to the departure of LeBron James in the previous season, resulting in a significant talent gap and a rebuilding phase. Their infamous streak concluded with a victory against the Los Angeles Clippers on February 11, 2011.
2. Philadelphia 76ers: 28 consecutive losses
The Philadelphia 76ers’ 28-game losing streak was originally the longest in NBA history. Starting from March 27, 2015, to December 1, 2015, the franchise endured 28 losses across two different NBA seasons.
It began with a defeat against the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2014-15 season where they went on to lose ten games on the trot. They finished the season with a 18-64 mark and carried the losing streak to 18 more games in the 2015-16 season.
The streak finally ended with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on December 1, 2015. The 76ers’ win-loss record for the 2015-2016 season was even worse at 10-72.
Many insist the team struggled due to a deliberate strategy to rebuild through the draft, focusing on acquiring young talent. This approach contributed to the prolonged losing streak as the 76ers prioritized long-term development over short-term success.
1. Detroit Pistons: 28 consecutive losses*
The Detroit Pistons are living the nightmare this season having racked up 28 consecutive defeats already, the longest losing streak in a single NBA season and the entirety of league history. With their latest defeat coming at the hands of the Boston Celtics, it seems there is little the franchise can do to salvage the season.
They suffered their first loss on October 30, 2023, against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 112–124 score. So far, the Pistons hold a 2-29 win record, a testament to how horrible their current season campaign has been.
They are now tied with the Sixers for the record of most consecutive losses in NBA history. Monty Williams and Co. will be praying to avoid the impending consequences of more possible defeats at all costs.
Their current losing streak remains one of the most infamous records in NBA history. If the Pacers fail to turn the tide in their favor in the coming games, it won’t be long until they overtake the Sixers for the most consecutive losses in league history, achieving the feat in a single season itself.
FAQs
The Detroit Pistons have lost the most consecutive games (28) in a single season.
Monty Williams is the current head coach of the Detroit Pistons.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Detroit Pistons suffered the most consecutive losses (28) in NBA history.
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Anjum Ash.
(521 Articles Published)