A team’s legacy in sports is often defined by their triumphs and defeats. Unfortunately, the Detroit Pistons have etched a somber chapter in NBA history with their recent 27th consecutive loss against the Nets, marking the worst single-season streak in the league. As they face the Boston Celtics next, the looming possibility of reaching 28 losses presents a daunting challenge, equaling the all-time low set by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2014/15 and 2015/16 seasons. The Pistons are now part of an exclusive club of teams that have endured extraordinary losing streaks. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most infamous streaks in the history of various sports, including San Marino’s 61 consecutive losses in football, the Chicago Cardinals’ 29 straight losses in the NFL, Unicaja’s 26 consecutive losses in the ACB, and the Louisville Colonels’ 26 straight losses in the MLB, which remains unmatched in baseball history.
5. The Premier League bore witness to Sunderland’s unfortunate run of 20 consecutive losses spanning two seasons. In the 2002/03 campaign, the team faced defeat in their last 15 matches, leading to their relegation. After a break, they returned to the top tier only to suffer five more losses at the start of the 2005/06 season.
6. The WNBA saw both the Tulsa Shock and Indiana Fever go down in history for enduring 20 straight defeats. The Shock’s dismal 3-31 season in 2011 remains a low point in the league’s history, illustrating the challenges faced by expansion teams. The Indiana Fever matched this record by losing the last 18 games of the 2022 season and the first two of 2023.
7. Even successful franchises face adversity, as demonstrated by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2003/04 season, who lost 18 consecutive games. In the 2020/21 campaign, the Buffalo Sabres equaled this streak, highlighting the ups and downs of professional sports.
8. In Spanish football, Las Palmas holds the record for 11 consecutive losses during the 1959/60 season, which led to their relegation. On the other hand, Levante endured a 27-match winless streak from April 2021 to January 2022, underscoring the difficulty of maintaining competitiveness in top-flight football.
9. A statistical standout and cup semi-finalist, this G-League player is making waves and waiting for the Warriors. Meanwhile, Steve Kerr criticizes the NBA’s “free-throw parade,” calling it “disgusting to watch.”
