The Detroit Pistons’ struggle in the NBA: Sports’ most unforgettable losing streaks

In the world of sports, triumphs and defeats often define a team’s legacy.

The Detroit Pistons, with their recent 27th consecutive loss against the Nets, have etched a somber chapter in NBA history, 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:

1. 61 Consecutive losses for San Marino

The national football team of San Marino endured a staggering 10-year period without being able to avoid defeat. Their streak finally ended in November 2014 with a celebrated 0-0 draw against Estonia. This remarkable feat remains etched in football history.

2. 29 straight losses for Chicago Cardinals in the NFL

The Chicago Cardinals faced a monumental 29-game losing streak that spanned four seasons in the NFL. From the last six games of 1942 to two consecutive 0-10 seasons in 1943 and 1944, the Cardinals‘ struggles were emblematic of the challenges faced by teams during the wartime era. The streak finally concluded with a victory against their city rivals, the Bears, in 1945.

3. Unicaja’s 26 consecutive losses in the ACB

Unicaja‘s plight in the 1987/88 season stands as one of the darkest chapters in the history of the Spanish ACB league. The team endured an excruciating 26 consecutive losses, finishing the first phase with a 1-13 record and the second with 0-14. Despite their struggles, they managed to stave off relegation, winning a playoff against TDK Manresa.

4. Louisville Colonels’ 26 straight losses in the MLB

To find the worst losing streak in Major League Baseball, one must travel back to the 19th century. The Louisville Colonels faced an astounding 26-game losing streak in 1889. In a vastly different era of baseball, this record remains unmatched.

5. Sunderland’s 20 consecutive losses in the Premier League

The Premier League witnessed Sunderland‘s unfortunate streak of 20 consecutive losses across two seasons. In the 2002/03 campaign, the team succumbed to defeat in their last 15 matches, resulting in relegation. After a hiatus, they returned to the top flight only to endure another five losses at the start of the 2005/06 season.

6. Tulsa Shock and Indiana Fever in the WNBA

The WNBA saw both the Tulsa Shock and Indiana Fever enduring 20 straight defeats, each securing a place in history. The Shock‘s dismal 3-31 season in 2011 remains a low point in the league’s history, highlighting the challenges faced by expansion teams. The Indiana Fever equaled this record by losing the last 18 games of the 2022 season and the first two of 2023.

7. Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres in the NHL

Even teams with illustrious histories face adversity. The Pittsburgh Penguins, considered one of the most successful franchises in ice hockey, experienced a dismal stretch during the 2003/04 season, losing 18 consecutive games. In the 2020/21 campaign, the Buffalo Sabres matched this streak, underscoring the ebb and flow of success in professional sports.

8. Las Palmas and Levante in Spanish Football

In Spanish football, Las Palmas holds the record for 11 consecutive losses during the 1959/60 season, resulting in relegation. On the other hand, Levante endured a 27-match winless streak from April 2021 to January 2022, highlighting the challenging nature of maintaining competitiveness in top-flight football.