What is the longest losing streak in NBA history? Pistons closing in on all-time record

Kyle Irving

What is the longest losing streak in NBA history? Pistons closing in on all-time record image

With every consecutive loss, the 2023-24 Pistons are one step closer to NBA infamy.

Detroit owns the NBA's worst record, standing at 2-27 after losing 26 consecutive games. Its last win came during the opening week of the new season back on Oct. 28.

Since then, the Pistons went winless in November and their losing streak has carried into December. They aren't quite at the mark of the worst losing streak in NBA history, but they're getting close.

How close are these teams to landing on the wrong side of NBA history? The Sporting News takes a look at the longest losing streaks of all time below.

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What is the longest losing streak in NBA history?

The Pistons' 26-game losing streak is only the fourth of its kind in NBA history and it is tied for the longest single-season losing streak on record.

Detroit is now just a few losses away from the NBA's all-time losing streak record. That (dis)honor belongs to "The Process" 76ers, who lost 28 games spanning from the 2014-15 season to the 2015-16 season.

The longest single-season losing streak is 26 games, which once belonged solely to the 2013-14 76ers and 2010-11 Cavaliers, Cleveland's first season after LeBron James took his talents to South Beach. Now, the Pistons have joined that exclusive club.

Here are the worst losing streaks in NBA history:

RankTeamYearLosing streak
1Philadelphia 76ers2015*28
2Cleveland Cavaliers2010-1126
 Philadelphia 76ers201426
 Detroit Pistons202326
5Cleveland Cavaliers1982*24
6Charlotte Bobcats201223
 Denver Nuggets1997-9823
 Vancouver Grizzlies199623
9Detroit Pistons1980*21
10Houston Rockets202120
 LA Clippers1994*20
 Dallas Mavericks199320
 New York Knicks1985*20
 Philadelphia 76ers197320

*Span of two seasons

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Pistons upcoming schedule 2023

The Pistons have just a few more chances to avoid etching their place in infamy.

After a loss to the Nets, Detroit will face Brooklyn again in Detroit on Dec. 26. Another loss to the Nets would give the Pistons the record for longest single-season losing streak in NBA history.

If the Pistons lose to both the Nets and Celtics, they will tie the 76ers for the longest losing streak on record.

DateOpponentTime (ET)TV channel
Dec. 26vs. Nets7 p.m.
Dec. 28at Celtics7:30 p.m.NBA TV
Dec. 30vs. Raptors6 p.m.
Jan. 1at Rockets8 p.m.

Kyle Irving

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.