The Pistons’ record NBA losing streak, explained by stats, memes, and jokes

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Pistons era of futility has the whole internet laughing

The Detroit Pistons are in the NBA record books for all the wrong reasons. The Pistons have now lost 27 consecutive games, breaking the single-season NBA record for the longest losing streak. Detroit is on the precipice of breaking more records for futility among America’s four major professional sports, and it’s making every one of their games must-see TV.

The Brooklyn Nets beat the Pistons, 118-112, on Tuesday night in a game Detroit blew down the stretch. The Pistons held a five-point lead with under eight minutes remaining in regulation, but multiple defensive breakdowns in crunch-time helped the Nets earn the comeback win. Detroit lost despite Cade Cunningham having arguably the best game of his career by finishing with 41 points, nine rebounds, and five assists on 15-of-21 shooting from the floor.

The game was incredibly tense down the stretch, creating what almost felt like a playoff atmosphere during an already lost season for the Pistons. Brooklyn forward Dorian Finney-Smith delivered the dagger with a corner three-pointer with under 40 seconds left. The Pistons went away from Cunningham on the ensuing possession, settling for an extremely difficult contested three by Alec Burks that clanked off the rim. That’s the Pistons season in a nutshell right there.

The NBA record for consecutive losses is 28 games, set by the Philadelphia 76ers stretching between the 2014-2015 and 2015-16 season. The Pistons can match that record with a road loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday. Boston is a perfect 14-0 at home this year. The Pistons face the Toronto Raptors on Saturday, Dec. 30 in what could be their record-setting 29th straight loss.

The Pistons are staring down the longest losing streak across the four major professional sports. The NHL’s Winnipeg Jets lost 30 consecutive games in the 1980-81 season.

The Pistons’ last win came in their third game of the season, when they beat the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 28 to move to 2-1 overall. After 27 straight losses, Detroit is now 2-28 overall heading into the Boston game.

As the losses have piled up at a record pace, the entire world has suddenly become invested in the Pistons. It’s created some incredible stats, memes, and jokes. Here’s a collection of the best comments on the Pistons after the team broke the single-season record for consecutive losses.

Pistons stats and tidbits during record losing streak

The Arizona Diamondbacks won Game 2 of the 2023 World Series at Oct. 28, hours after the Pistons beat the Bulls.

To put this in perspective, the Arizona Diamondbacks have more recently won a game than the Detroit Pistons.

— Greg Peterson (@GUnit_81) December 27, 2023

Detroit is poised to hold the worst record since 2000 for a team in the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB. The 2008 Lions own the worst NFL record, the 2003 Tigers own the worst MLB record, and the 2020 Red Wings own the worst NHL record. The Pistons are on pace to be next.

If the Pistons keep it up Detroit could have the team with the worst 21st century record in the NBA, NFL (08 Lions, 0-16) and MLB (03 Tigers, 43-119), and NHL (20 Red Wings, 17-49-5). You could hit a Detroit sports fan in the kneecap with a wrench and they won’t feel a thing

— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) December 27, 2023

The Pistons offense and defense has somehow gotten worse after each 10 game segment of the season.

Gores said that we can't blame Monty but the Pistons have gotten worse on offense and defense every 10 games.
30 Game Check In pic.twitter.com/mfo3fHsqJH

— DataDrivenPistonsFan (@D_D_Pistons_Fan) December 27, 2023

The Pistons own the lowest NBA win percentage in history at the moment. The 2011-2012 Bobcats own the worst single-season record ever in a lockout-shortened year by finishing 7–59 with a 10.6 percent winning percentage.

The Pistons currently have the all-time records for

— Most consecutive losses
— Lowest win percentage

in a season in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/4dRwp3gn5c

— StatMuse (@statmuse) December 27, 2023

The best Pistons memes and jokes during losing streak

The Pistons have done it pic.twitter.com/OCKUVfFymk

— Kofie.bsky.social (@Kofie) December 27, 2023

watching a pistons-nets game in late december like it’s game 7 of the NBA finals

— Molly Morrison (@mollyhannahm) December 27, 2023

Pistons games should be broadcast on every national network like a Presidential address until they win a game. Put them on the screens in Times Square like the OJ verdict. Automatically play the last five minutes on our phones like an Amber alert

— AK Lingus (@aklingus) December 27, 2023

I respect the Pistons historical futility but wake me when you cause a mass moral panic over how it’s more ethical to suck aimlessly that makes the NBA foist a geriatric narcissist on you who hires his son to execute one of the dumbest scandals in sports history. plus Tony Wroten

— Michael Levin (@Michael_Levin) December 27, 2023

Whole timeline live tweeting this Pistons game it feels like I’m reliving the Warriors chasing 73-9 but way sadder

— (@Three_Cone) December 27, 2023

Pistons hilariously now get every teams best shot. If they were just terrible, teams would probably over look them from time to time. There's no team taking them lightly with the risk of being the one to break their losing streak.

— Raj C. (@RajChipalu) December 27, 2023

Last time the Pistons won a game pic.twitter.com/CgP5q1fIrr

— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) December 27, 2023

The Pistons have a 4-49 record since the NBA All-Star Game in February. pic.twitter.com/Kg4ZxMfN5N

— theScore (@theScore) December 27, 2023

Pistons record losing streak tracker

The Pistons have set the single-season NBA record with consecutive losses with 27 straight defeats. Here’s what that looks like on the schedule:

The Pistons are one loss away from tying the NBA record for most consecutive defeats. They are two losses away from setting a new record for consecutive losses if they can get to 29 straight defeats. Detroit plays on the road against the Boston Celtics and at home against the Toronto Raptors in their next two games.

The Pistons’ fall from grace has been incredible to watch. There’s still talent on this roster, but head coach Monty Williams and GM Troy Weaver have been unable to put it in the best position to win. For now, the Pistons are a historic disaster, and more records are coming if they can’t win soon.