Memorable Losing Streaks

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Mar 24, 2014

Memorable 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.

2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers

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Cleveland started its 2010 season a respectable 7-9 after LeBron James left for Miami, but went on to lose 36 of 37 games during a dismal stretch that included 26 losses in a row.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs lost their first 26 games, beginning with an 0-14 campaign in 1976 and followed by an 0-12 start in 1977.

Detroit Lions

dan-orlovsky.cut.jpg — Damian Strohmeyer/SI

When quarterback Dan Orlovsky and the Lions lost 31-21 to the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 28, 2008, it made Detroit the first NFL team to ever go 0-16. The team had lost its final game of 2007 and first two games in 2009, putting its losing streak at 19 games.

Prairie View University

The Texas school lost 80 consecutive games between 1989-98, almost doubling Columbia University's 44 straight losses between 1983-88.

Northwestern University

The Wildcats dropped 34 straight between 1979 and 1982.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies set the modern major-league record for consecutive losses with 23 in 1961.

San Jose Sharks

The Sharks lost 17 in a row between Jan. 4 and Feb. 12 in 1993, tying the NHL all-time record set by the Capitals in 1975.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills lost in four consecutive Super Bowls, their first to the New York Giants, a 20-19 loss in Jan. 27, 1991.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs last won a World Series in 1908. Their 105-year championship drought is longer than that of any other major North American professional sports team.

Baltimore Orioles

The O's opened the 1988 season 0-21, an AL record for consecutive losses.

Anthony Young

The Mets pitcher dropped 27 in a row before ending the streak in July 1993.

New Jersey Nets

nets.2009.jpg — Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images, Victor Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images

The Nets tied the NBA record with an 0-17 start to the 2009-10 season, costing coach Lawrence Frank his job. They matched the 1988-89 Miami Heat and the 1999 Los Angeles Clippers in hoops futility.

Ottawa Senators

The Sens lost 38 in a row on the road during their inaugural season (1992-93).

Tulsa Shock

The Shock ended the longest losing streak in WNBA history when out-of-retirement Sheryl Swoopes, 40, hit a jumper with 2.9 seconds left to beat the Sparks 77-75 on Aug. 27, 2011. It improved their record to 2-25.

Caltech basketball

Caltech lost 207 consecutive games to NCAA Division III opponents between 1996 and January 2007. Rutgers-Camden had 117 consecutive losses from 1992 to 1997.