When teams are on a losing streak, nothing seems to go right. Even when it does.
The Detroit Pistons lost their 24th game in a row on Monday even though Cade Cunningham scored 43 points.
As the losses mount for the Pistons, it raises the question of how bad this team is from a historical perspective. They are closing in on a consecutive losses record and are on pace for the worst record in NBA history.
But, first, let’s deal with the team’s current state.
Detroit is two losses away from tying the longest losing streak in a season with 26 and four away from the longest consecutive loss streak overall.
| Rank | Team | Games | Season(s) |
| 1 | Philadelphia 76ers | 28 | 2014–15, 2015–16 |
| 2 (tie) | Cleveland Cavaliers | 26 | 2010–11 |
| 2 (tie) | Philadelphia 76ers | 26 | 2013–14 |
| 4 (tie) | Cleveland Cavaliers | 24 | 1981–82, 1982–83 |
| 4 (tie) | Detroit Pistons | 24 | 2023-24 |
| 6 (tie) | Vancouver Grizzlies | 23 | 1995–96 |
| 6 (tie) | Denver Nuggets | 23 | 1997–98 |
| 6 (tie) | Charlotte Bobcats | 23 | 2011–12 |
| 9 | Detroit Pistons | 21 | 1979–80, 1980–81 |
| 10 (tie) | Philadelphia 76ers | 20 | 1972–73 |
| 10 (tie) | New York Knicks | 20 | 1984–85, 1985–86 |
| 10 (tie) | Dallas Mavericks | 20 | 1993–94 |
| 10 (tie) | Los Angeles Clippers | 20 | 1993–94, 1994–95 |
| 10 (tie) | Houston Rockets | 20 | 2020–21 |
When could Detroit break the longest losing streak record?
How soon could it be before the Pistons tie or break either or both streaks? Before the calendar year turns to 2024, that’s how soon.
Detroit Pistons next five games
- Thursday vs. Utah Jazz
- Saturday at Brooklyn Nets
- Dec. 26 vs. Brooklyn Nets
- Dec 28 at Boston Celtics
- Dec. 30 vs. Toronto Raptors
The big moment could come at home against the Toronto Raptors.
Monty Williams was supposed to be the savior
Detroit has been in rebuilding mode for a while. Its last season with a better-than-.500 record was 2015-16.
Detroit record since 2015
| Season | W | L |
| 2023-24 | 2 | 25 |
| 2022-23 | 17 | 65 |
| 2021-22 | 23 | 59 |
| 2020-21 | 20 | 52 |
| 2019-20 | 20 | 46 |
| 2018-19 | 41 | 41 |
| 2017-18 | 39 | 43 |
| 2016-17 | 37 | 45 |
| 2015-16 | 44 | 38 |
Detroit hired Monty Williams, a former NBA Coach of the Year who led the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals, to a six-year, $78.5 million contract in the offseason. It was the largest coaching deal in NBA history.
He was supposed to turn things around for a Pistons team that had a roster full of high draft picks and loads of potential.
Instead, Detroit is worse this season than before. It lost every game in November, becoming the 13th team in NBA history to do such a thing. If they were to break the longest losing streak record, they would lose every game in December.
Related: Latest NBA power rankings for the 2023-24 season
NBA teams that have lost every game in a month
The Detroit Pistons joined a dubious group when they lost every game in November.
Here are other NBA teams that have lost every game in a calendar month.
- Providence Steamrollers: March 1948
- San Diego Rockets: March 1968
- Philadelphia 76ers: March 1973
- Miami Heat: November 1988
- Dallas Mavericks: March 1994
- Vancouver Grizzlies: March 1996
- Los Angeles Clippers: February 1999
- New Jersey Nets: November 2010
- Charlotte Bobcats: April 2012
- Philadelphia 76ers: February 2014
- Philadelphia 76ers: November 2014
- Philadelphia 76ers: November 2015
What production are the Detroit Pistons getting from young players?
Detroit has been picking at the top of the NBA Draft for several seasons and has a group of players with potential, but they haven’t been able to put that potential together for wins.
Two of them are fighting back from injury: Jalen Duren is out with an ankle sprain and Isaiah Stewart is missing some time with a shoulder sprain.
| Player | Age | Gm | Pts | Reb | Ast |
| Cade Cunningham | 22 | 27 | 22.2 | 3.9 | 7 |
| Isaiah Stewart | 22 | 25 | 10.2 | 6.8 | 1.4 |
| Jalen Duren | 20 | 14 | 12.6 | 10.9 | 2.5 |
| Ausar Thompson | 21 | 27 | 10 | 8.1 | 2.4 |
Stewart has been named as a trade candidate, drawing interest from teams like Boston, Dallas and Oklahoma City, with Detroit getting prospects and picks in return.
Stewart signed a four-year, $60 million extension during the offseason.
The Pistons were also rumored to be in on a possible trade for Toronto Raptors forward OG Anunoby.
Could the Pistons be the worst team in NBA history?
Right now the Pistons are on pace to win seven games, which would be the fewest wins ever for a team that played 82 games.
Here are the worst teams for an 82-game season, not counting strike or lockout seasons.
| Team | Year | Record |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 1973 | 9-73 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 2016 | 10-72 |
| Dallas Mavericks | 1993 | 11-71 |
| Denver Nuggets | 1998 | 11-71 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 1987 | 12-70 |
| New Jersey Nets | 2010 | 12-70 |