Detroit a loss away from tying NBA’s single-season record for longest losing streak

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

When the other NBA teams kept on stacking those wins to improve their record, it was a different scenario for the Detroit Pistons.

After a disappointing 119-111 loss at the hands of the Utah Jazz last December 22, 2023, the Pistons just extended its losing streak to 25 straight games, a new franchise record set.

With the loss, the Pistons just moved a loss away from equalizing the single-season record for the longest losing streak in the history of the NBA.

The standing record was set by the Philadelphia 76ers last 2013-2014 NBA season while the other one was by the Cleveland Cavaliers way back 2010.

It was a frustrating outing for the Pistons as they had all windows of opportunity to break their losing streak after going up against a banged-up Utah squad.

The Jazz played without their key players Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, Keyonte George, and Talen Horton-Tucker who all were nursing their respective injuries in the inter-conference showdown.

However, the Pistons still failed to pull off the momentum-boosting win after the Jazz outdueled them in the nip-and-tuck affair.

Despite shooting 50% from the field and 85% from the free throw line, the Pistons were hounded by their turnovers, committing 20 giveaways compared to Utah’s 12.

The Pistons finally had a huge scoring night from their promising young stars after Cade Cunningham dropped a game-high 28-point performance alongside 10 assists and six rebounds.

Aside from Cunningham’s explosion, Jaden Ivy and Marvin Bagley III also balled out for the Pistons as the duo chipped in 24 and 22 points, respectively.

With all the positive side from the scoring department, Detroit was disappointing on the defensive end, allowing six Utah players to reach double-digits on the offensive end.

Detroit had some momentum heading into the final quarter after trimming Utah’s lead to just two points but a late offensive flurry from the Jazz crashed the Pistons’ hopes of breaking their losing spell.

their last win was obtained last October 29, 2023, when they took down the Chicago Bulls, 118-102. After the victory, the Pistons are yet to re-enter the NBA winning column.

Will Detroit end 2023 with a win or will they continue their woes?