Most consecutive losses in NBA: Do Detroit Pistons have the worst record in history?

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. Detroit Pistons: 25 consecutive losses *

The Detroit Pistons are living the nightmare this season having racked up 25 defeats already. With their latest defeat coming at the hands of the Jazz, 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 2-26 win record, a testament to how horrible their current season campaign has been.

They are now just one loss short of tying the Cavs and Sixers for the record of most consecutive losses in a single NBA season. Next, the Pistons play the Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center on Saturday. Monty Williams and Co. will be praying to avoid the impending consequences of a possible defeat at all costs.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: 24 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 remains the longest losing streak in a single NBA 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. 

2. 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 the most consecutive losses in a single NBA season 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. 

1. Philadelphia 76ers: 28 consecutive losses

The Philadelphia 76ers’ 28-game losing streak is 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.

Nevertheless, it 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 dethrone the Sixers for the most consecutive losses in league history, achieving the feat in a single season itself.

FAQs

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers have lost the most consecutive games (26) in a single season.

Monty Williams is the current head coach of the Detroit Pistons.

The Philadelphia 76erd suffered the most consecutive losses (28) in NBA history from March 27, 2015, to December 1, 2015.