The Detroit Pistons became infamous for their poor play in 2023, standing on the doorstep of the longest losing streak in NBA history. After tying the record for the longest losing streak in NBA history, Detroit finally won.
Detroit is certainly the least talented team in the NBA. While they have plenty of top picks, including Cade Cunningham, the numbers tell you everything. Detroit ranks 28th in scoring, 29th in scoring margin and is one of the worst shooting teams in basketball. Now, already in tank mode, the Pistons are on the verge of doing something that has never happened before, a 30-game losing streak.
Let’s dive into the quick history of the longest NBA losing streaks ever.
What is the longest losing streak in NBA history?
The longest losing streak in NBA history belongs to the 2014-’16 Philadelphia 76ers, occurring across two seasons. The 76ers lost 28 consecutive games, with their losing streak beginning on Friday, March 27 in a 119-98 defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers. Philadelphia lost 10 consecutive games at the end of the 2014-’15 season and then opened the 2015-’16 season with 18 consecutive losses. The 76ers went 250 days without a victory, snapping their 28-game losing streak on Dec. 1, 2015 against the Los Angeles Lakers (103-91).
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On Dec. 28, 2023, the Detroit Pistons tied the all-time record for the longest losing streak in NBA history in an overtime loss to the Boston Celtics. Detroit can break the NBA record on Saturday at home against the Toronto Raptors.
Longest losing streaks in NBA history
- 28 games – 2014-’16 Philadelphia 76ers (2 seasons)
- 28 games – 2023 Detroit Pistons
- 26 games – 2010-’11 Cleveland Cavaliers
- 26 games – 2013-’14 Philadelphia 76ers
- 24 games – 1981-’83 Cleveland Cavaliers (2 seasons)
- 23 games – 1995-’96 Vancouver Grizzlies
- 23 games – 1997-’98 Denver Nuggets
- 23 games – 2011-’12 Charlotte Bobcats
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History of the longest NBA losing streaks ever
Philadelphia 76ers – 28 games – 2014-’16
It should come as no surprise that the team responsible for “Trust the Process” has the distinction of owning two of the longest losing streaks in NBA history. Before Philadelphia was led by Joel Embiid as a perennial contender in the Eastern Conference, it effectively tanked from 2014-’16. Across two seasons from 2014-’16, the 76ers won just 28 games, posting a .170 winning percentage that made them one of the worst NBA teams ever. Just two years after achieving NBA infamy, the Pistons went 52-30 and reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Detroit Pistons – 28 games – 2023
The Detroit Pistons made Monty Williams one of the highest-paid NBA coaches ever, hoping the veteran coach could do for the franchise what he did for the Phoenix Suns. Instead, the Pistons have gotten even worse/ A year removed from going 17-65, things looked promising out of the gate with a 2-1 record to open the season. Detroit hasn’t won a game since it beat the Chicago Bulls in October. If the Pistons can’t beat the Brooklyn Nets (26), they’ll achieve the infamy of having the longest losing streak in NBA history.
Detroit tied the NBA record on Saturday night for the longest losing streak in a single season. Facing the Nets, Detroit lost 126-115. While the Pistons outscored Brooklyn by five points in the fourth quarter, an 11-point deficit after the first quarter proved too much to overcome. The Pistons dropped to 2-27 with their 26th consecutive loss. For context, entering Sunday, only five teams have lost 20-plus games the entire season.
On Dec. 26, Detroit lost its 27th consecutive game to set the single-season record for the longest losing streak in the NBA ever. If the Pistons lose to the Boston Celtics on Dec. 28, they’ll tie the record for the longest losing streak in NBA history. Detroit can set the NBA record on Dec. 30 against the Toronto Raptors, that game tips off at 6:00 PM ET.
The Pistons nearly snapped their losing streak on Dec. 28, losing to the Boston Celtics 128-122 in overtime. Detroit led at halftime, after outscoring Boston in the first (30-27) and second quarter (36-20). However, a 35-16 third-quarter advantage from the Celtics and a 20-14 overtime score, extended the Pistons losing streak to 28 games.
On Dec. 30, 2023, against the Toronto Raptors, Detroit snapped its 28-game losing streak with a victory at home. It marked the Pistons first win since Oct. 28, 2023, and only their second home win of the season.
Cleveland Cavaliers – 26 games – 2010-’11
Everyone expected a massive drop-off from the Cavaliers following “The Decision” by LeBron James and that’s precisely what happened. A season after losing in the NBA Finals, Cleveland started the following year 8-19. It then experienced the longest losing streak in NBA history during a single season. After dropping to 9-45, the Cavaliers finished their final stretch with a 10-18 record.
- Cleveland Cavaliers final record: 19-63
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Philadelphia 76ers – 26 games – 2013-’14
It truly was one of the worst stretches in NBA history. The 76ers fully committed to tanking during four years, never even winning 20 games in a single season while they racked up double-digit losing streaks like they were future draft picks. In the 2013-’14 campaign, Philadelphia went from Jan. 31 – March 27, 2014 without a single win, dropping their record from 15-31 to 15-57. Evan Turner (17.4 PPG) and Thaddeus Young (17.9 PPG) were the team’s leading scorers this season.
- Philadelphia 76ers final record: 19-63
Worst NBA records of all time
- 7-59 Charlotte Hornets – 2011-’12
- 9-73 Philadelphia 76ers – 1972-’73
- 10-72 Philadelphia 86ers – 2015-’16
- 11-71 Dallas Mavericks – 1992-’93
- 11-71 Denver Nuggets – 1997-’98