NBA's Longest Losing Streaks

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Mar 6, 2014

NBA's Longest Losing Streaks

2013-14 Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers tied the NBA record for most consecutive losses on March 27, 2014, but avoided sinking to a new low when they defeated Detroit two nights later. Here's a look at the longest losing streaks in NBA history.

2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland started the season a respectable 7-9 after LeBron James left for Miami, but went on to lose 36 of 37 games during its dismal stretch. The streak ended with a 126-119 overtime win over the Clippers on Feb. 11, 2011.

1995-96 Vancouver Grizzlies

This expansion franchise, with a backcourt that included shooting guard Byron Scott, not only set the record with 23 straight losses, but also had a separate streak that season of 19.

1997-98 Denver Nuggets

Two years after the Grizzlies set the unenviable mark of 23 straight losses, Denver joined them in infamy. The Nuggets lost 71 games that season, which explains Bryant Stith's, LaPhonso Ellis' and coach Bill Hanzlik's looks of horror.

2011-12 Charlotte Bobcats

The 7-58 Bobcats lost their final 23 games of the season to finish with the worst winning percentage (.106) in league history, nipping the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers (.110).

1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers

The 9-73 Sixers' record-worst season included a nice little 20-loss streak. That didn't stop leading scorer Fred Carter from trying his hardest to get Philly a victory.

1993-94 Dallas Mavericks

The Mavs barely escaped the league's futility record in 1992-93 (they finished 11-71). And when Quinn Buckner took over as coach in 1993-94, things weren't much better: A team featuring Jim Jackson and Jamal Mashburn finished 13-69 with a 20-game skid.

2003-04 Orlando Magic

Before Doc Rivers led the Celtics to two Finals appearances and a championship, he led the Magic to a disastrous start in 2003. After beating the Knicks in their season opener, Tracy McGrady and the Magic dropped the next 19. Rivers was fired after 10 of those losses.

1992-93 Dallas Mavericks

The year before they reached the 20-straight-losses plateau, the Mavs recorded 19 consecutive defeats to finish with an 11-71 record. Hence the reason for Terry Davis' dismay and coach Gar Heard's misery on the sideline.

1988-89 Los Angeles Clippers

Stephen Dunn, Ken Levine/NBAE/Getty Images

It's not really shocking that the Clippers make the list. They fired Gene Schue (pictured) midway through the streak and replaced him with Don Casey (inset). The losing skid included consecutive road defeats of 35, 34 and 35 points.

1981-82 Cleveland Cavaliers

Poor Cleveland. Never can catch a break. With their fourth coach of the season, Bill Musselman, at the helm, and future two-time champion Scott Wedman on the roster, the Cavs capped their 15-67 season with a 19-game skid.

1981-82 San Diego Clippers

Andy Hayt/SI; NBA Photos/NBAE via Getty Images

Paul Silas knows a thing or two about losing. He coached the Clippers' 12th season, leading them to the league's second-worst record that year (17-65), only two wins better than (who else?) the Cavs.

2006-07 Boston Celtics

The year before they won the NBA championship, the Celtics endured a season of turmoil. Days before the opener, Red Auerbach died at age 89. Then, they lost their first seven games. Then All-Star Paul Pierce was lost to a stress reaction. And then the Celtics capped their worst stretch in franchise history -- an 18-game losing streak -- to finish with a 24-58 record.

1981-82 Utah Jazz

Eighteen straight losses. If you were Frank Layden, you'd be frustrated too. Luckily, with Adrian Dantley (who averaged 30 points a game that season, by the way) and Darrell Griffith on board, things got a little better in subsequent seasons for Layden. The Jazz won their division in 1984 and made it to the second round of the playoffs.