NBA Longest Losing Streaks
Who has the longest losing streak in NBA history? Check out the record for consecutive losses
After the longest winning streak in the NBA, here’s the analysis of the other side of the coin, the negative side of the record. Who lost the most consecutive games in the NBA?
Record for NBA Longest losing streaks
With 28 consecutive losses, the Philadelphia 76ers (2014-16) and the Detroit Pistons (2023-24) hold this negative record. The Pennsylvania franchise experienced this losing streak spanning two seasons: the 2014-15 and the subsequent 2015-16 seasons, while that of the Pistons is still ongoing.
In the first season, the Sixers finished the regular season 14th, with 18 wins and 64 losses. The following year they managed to do even worse, they ended the season as the last team in the East Conference ranking with 10 wins and 72 losses.
In addition, the Philadelphia 76ers hold another embarrassing record: they got losing streaks of 20 or more consecutive games, for 3 times in their history.
The most recent losing streak is held by the Detroit Pistons, who lost 28 consecutive games in the 2023/24 season. The Washington Wizards are on a 16-game losing streak, and we’ll see if they can stop this record soon or if they’ll appear on this list shortly.
NBA All-Time Longest Losing Streaks
| # | Team | Season | Losing Streaks |
| 1 | Detroit Pistons | 2023-24 | 28 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 2014-16 | 28 | |
| 3 | Philadelphia 76ers | 2013-14 | 26 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 2010-11 | 26 | |
| 5 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 1981-83 | 24 |
| 6 | Denver Nuggets | 1997-98 | 23 |
| Charlotte Bobcats | 2011-12 | 23 | |
| Vancouver Grizzlies | 1995-96 | 23 | |
| 9 | Detroit Pistons | 1980-81 | 21 |
| 10 | Philadelphia 76ers | 1972-73 | 20 |
| New York Knicks | 1984-86 | 20 | |
| Dallas Mavericks | 1993-94 | 20 | |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 1993-95 | 20 | |
| Houston Rockets | 2020-21 | 20 | |
| 15 | Philadelphia 76ers | 1971-73 | 19 |
| San Diego Clippers | 1981-82 | 19 | |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 1988-89 | 19 | |
| Dallas Mavericks | 1992-93 | 19 | |
| Vancouver Grizzlies | 1995-96 | 19 | |
| Orlando Magic | 2003-04 | 19 | |
| New Jersey Nets | 2008-10 | 19 | |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 2017-18 | 19 | |
| 23 | Utah Jazz | 1981-82 | 18 |
| Boston Celtics | 2006-07 | 18 | |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 2010-12 | 18 | |
| Charlotte Bobcats | 2012-13 | 18 | |
| New York Knicks | 2018-19 | 18 | |
| 28 | San Francisco Warriors | 1964-65 | 17 |
| San Diego Rockets | 1967-68 | 17 | |
| Miami Heat | 1988-89 | 17 | |
| Orlando Magic | 1991-92 | 17 | |
| Dallas Mavericks | 1993-94 | 17 | |
| Toronto Raptors | 1997-98 | 17 | |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 1998-99 | 17 | |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 1999-00 | 17 | |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 2014-15 | 17 | |
| Phoenix Suns | 2018-19 | 17 | |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 2019-20 | 17 |
All-Time Longest Losing Streaks in an NBA Season
| Team | Season | Straight Losses | Overall record |
| Detroit Pistons | 2023-24 | 28 | 14-68 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 2013-14 | 26 | 19-63 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 2010-11 | 26 | 19-63 |
| Charlotte Bobcast | 2011-12 | 23 | 7-59 |
| Denver Nuggets | 1997-98 | 23 | 17-71 |
| Vancouver Grizzlies | 1995-96 | 23 | 15-67 |
NBA Playoff Longest Losing Streaks
| # | Team | Season | Losing Streaks |
| 1 | Detroit Pistons | 2007-today | 14 |
| 2 | New York Knicks | 2000-12 | 13 |
| 3 | Memphis Grizzlies | 2003-11 | 12 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 2001-16 | 12 | |
| 5 | Baltimore Bullets | 1964-70 | 11 |
| Denver Nuggets | 1987-94 | 11 | |
| 7 | Portland Trail Blazers | 2015-19 | 10 |
| Sacramento Kings | 1980-96 | 10 | |
| New Jersey Nets | 1983-84 | 10 | |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 1999-03 | 10 |