Before today only two teams in NBA history had lost at least 26 games in a row in a single season. Tonight the Detroit Pistons became the third.
With their 126-115 loss to the Brooklyn Nets tonight, the Pistons suffered their 26th consecutive loss – tying the record for the most consecutive losses in a single season. They now share the record with the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers and the 2013-14 Philadelphia 76ers. Both of those teams went on to finish the season with 19-63 records.
The Pistons are are now 2-27 on the season with their losing streak extending all the way back to October 30, 2023. But next week they could make history.
The Pistons play the Nets again on Tuesday in a game that could give them sole possession of the all-time single season losing streak record. And if they lose on the road to the Boston Celtics next Thursday, they’ll be tied with the 2015 Philadelphia 76ers for the longest losing streak in NBA history.
The Pistons have now tied the NBA record for most consecutive losses in a single season 😬 pic.twitter.com/wmXUQxXLIz
— ESPN BET (@ESPNBet) December 24, 2023
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If there’s any consolation for anyone in Detroit, it’s that the last few teams to lose that many games have retained their head coach to the end of the season and even beyond it.
That bodes well for head coach Monty Williams, who finds himself in a very odd spot after leading the Phoenix Suns to the playoffs in each of the last three years.
Will the Pistons set the record for the longest losing streak in NBA history?