The Detroit Pistons have finally won a basketball game. Yes, you read that right. After 28 consecutive losses and numerous records broken along the way, the Pistons are finally back in the win column after beating the Toronto Raptors, 129-127, on Saturday afternoon. The win puts a bow on one of the worst stretches across all professional sports in recent memory.
With 28 straight defeats, the Pistons tied the Philadelphia 76ers for the NBA’s all-time record of consecutive losses. Unfortunately for Detroit, it compiled such an ignominious record in one season as the Sixers compiled their losses on either side of the 2014-15 and 2015-16 campaigns. Previously, Detroit’s loss against the Brooklyn Nets passed the 2013-14 76ers and 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers for most consecutive losses in one season with 27.
This season, the Pistons have the league’s worst record at 3-29. While they’ve amassed a talented group of lottery picks in recent years, they’ve struggled to smooth out their offensive struggles. After a home defeat to the Utah Jazz during the losing stretch, fans chanted for owner Tom Gores to sell the team. He responded in an interview a few days later by saying the fans’ chants were “ridiculous,” while also making vague promises of change.
Longest losing streaks in NBA history
Streak | Team | Streak Started | Streak Ended |
28 | Philadelphia 76ers^ | March 27, 2015 | Dec. 1, 2015 |
28 | Detroit Pistons* | Oct. 30, 2023 | Dec. 30, 2023 |
26 | Philadelphia 76ers | Jan. 31, 2014 | March 29, 2014 |
26 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Dec. 20, 2010 | Feb. 11, 2011 |
24 | Cleveland Cavaliers^ | March 19, 1982 | Nov. 10, 1982 |
23 | Vancouver Grizzlies | Feb. 16, 1996 | April 3, 1996 |
23 | Dec. 9, 1997 | Jan. 24, 1998 | |
23 | Charlotte Bobcats | March 19, 2012 | Nov. 2, 2012 |
21 | Detroit Pistons^ | March 7, 1980 | Oct. 25, 1980 |
20 | Philadelphia 76ers | Jan. 9, 1973 | Feb. 14, 1973 |
20 | March 23, 1985 | Nov. 12, 1985 | |
20 | Nov. 13, 1993 | Dec. 23, 1993 | |
20 | April 18, 1994 | Dec. 7, 1994 | |
20 | Feb. 6, 2021 | March 22, 2021 | |
19 | Philadelphia 76ers^ | March 21, 1972 | Nov. 11, 1972 |
19 | San Diego Clippers | March 11, 1982 | April 15, 1982 |
19 | Los Angeles Clippers | Dec. 30, 1988 | Feb. 8, 1989 |
19 | Dallas Mavericks | Feb. 6, 1993 | March 17, 1993 |
19 | Vancouver Grizzlies | Nov. 7, 1995 | Dec. 15, 1995 |
19 | Oct. 30, 2003 | Dec. 8, 2003 | |
19 | New Jersey Nets^ | April 15, 2009 | Dec. 4, 2009 |
19 | Memphis Grizzlies | Jan. 31, 2018 | March 17, 2018 |
18 | Feb. 24, 1982 | April 2, 1982 | |
18 | Jan. 7, 2007 | Feb. 14, 2007 | |
18 | March 13, 2011 | Jan. 1, 2012 | |
18 | Charlotte Bobcats | Nov. 26, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
18 | New York Knicks | Jan. 4, 2019 | Feb. 16, 2019 |
18 | San Antonio Spurs* | Nov. 5, 2023 | Dec. 15, 2023 |
(^ Denotes streaks that spanned over two seasons)
(* Denotes streak that happened during 2023-24 season)
