Detroit Pistons Tie Depressing NBA Record with 26 Consecutive Defeats

The Detroit Pistons have found themselves in a rare and unwanted club as they tie the all-time record for consecutive defeats with 26 losses. This unfortunate milestone was achieved after their 126-115 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. The only other teams to have experienced such a losing streak were the 2013-14 Philadelphia 76ers and the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers.

To put this losing streak into perspective, both the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks have won a game more recently than the Pistons. Their last victory dates back to October 28th, against the Chicago Bulls, when their record stood at 2-2. Since then, they have struggled, and their current record stands at 2-26, indicating a potential five-win season with 77 losses.

The Pistons’ players and coaching staff are well aware of the challenges they face. Center Isaiah Stewart commented on the difficulty of the situation, stating, “None of us went through this, ever. This is the hardest thing probably all of us went through, especially being in the pros.” Guard Cade Cunningham also acknowledged the reality of the situation, expressing the need for a plan of action to break the losing streak.

The record for the most losses in a season was set by the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers, with 73 losses. Since then, no team has managed to lose 70 games in a season. Only six teams in NBA history have lost 70 or more games, with the most losses the Pistons have ever had in a season being 66 in 1979-80.

The Pistons will have several opportunities to turn their fortunes around. They will host the Nets on Tuesday and then face the Boston Celtics on Thursday. They will also host the Toronto Raptors in a subsequent game. Their first game in 2024 will be on New Year’s Day against the Houston Rockets.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.