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#ThisDayThatYear: Detroit Pistons set NBA record with 27 losses
#ThisDayThatYear in 2023, the Detroit Pistons set and NBA record with 27 consecutive losses (Image credit: X/@TheDunkCentral)

#ThisDayThatYear: Detroit Pistons set NBA record with 27 losses

Dec 26, 2024
03:09 pm

What's the story

On December 26, 2023, the Detroit Pistons made history, but not in the way they hoped. On this date, they set an NBA record for the longest single-season losing streak, falling to the Brooklyn Nets for their 27th straight defeat. Despite their struggles, this moment became a defining chapter in their journey. Dive in as we revisit this unforgettable milestone in basketball history.

2023 season

Season recap of the Pistons' devastating 2023-24 season

The 2023-24 Pistons marked their 83rd season with a dismal 14-68 record, the worst in franchise history, surpassing the 1979-80 team's 16-66. Under first-year coach Monty Williams, they endured an NBA record-tying 28-game losing streak from October to December and went winless in November. Additionally, Dwane Casey stepped down as coach, as the Pistons missed the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season.

Game recap

Pistons set single-season record with 27th straight loss

The Nets edged the Pistons 118-112, handing Detroit its NBA-record 27th straight loss. Cade Cunningham's stellar 41-point performance, including 37 in the second half, couldn't prevent another Pistons defeat. Despite a promising start, turnovers and poor shooting plagued Detroit. Cam Johnson's 24 points and a clutch Dorian Finney-Smith three-pointer sealed the game for Brooklyn, as Detroit fell to a dismal 2-28 record.

Streak

Breakdown of Detroit's 27-game losing streak

The Pistons' 118-112 loss to the Nets marked their 27th straight defeat, setting an NBA single-season record. Their last win came on October 28, and they were 2-28 by Christmas Day. Detroit's streak is the second-longest across the NFL, NHL, and MLB, trailing only the Philadelphia 76ers' 28-game skid (2014-16). Meanwhile, Detroit struggled offensively, averaging just 109 points per game, third-worst in the league.

Most losses in a season

Most losses by a team in a single season

The Pistons tied the NBA record for most consecutive losses with 28 during the 2023-24 season, matching the 76ers' streak from 2014-16. The Pistons' skid started on October 30, 2023, and ended on December 30, 2023. Other long streaks include the Cleveland Cavaliers (26 games, 2010-11) and another 76ers streak of 26 games in 2013-14. These records highlight challenging stretches for teams in NBA.