Cleveland Cavaliers Lose Record 25 in a Row: Worst Losing Streaks in NBA History
As if losing LeBron James in a publicly embarrassing display wasn't enough, the Cleveland Cavaliers lost their 25th game in a row last night, setting a record for the longest losing streak by an NBA team.
Byron Scott's Cavs had an opportunity to avoid this ignominy, but failed to get a shot off with seconds left on the clock, and the Dallas Mavericks took home the win, 99-96.
But whose record did the Cavaliers break? And which teams own the biggest losing streaks in NBA history? Here's a rundown of the top 10 losing streaks, either within one season or continued over two seasons.
There are seven teams tied for 10th with 19 losses in a row:
Philadelphia 76ers: 1971-72, 1972-73
San Diego Clippers: 1981-82
Los Angeles Clippers: 1988-89
Dallas Mavericks: 1992-93
Vancouver Grizzlies: 1995-96
Orlando Magic: 2003-04
New Jersey Nets: 2008-09, 2009-10
Take a look at the teams that have all lost at least 20 games in a row.
6 (tie). Philadelphia 76ers (1972-73): 20 Games Lost in a Row
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Not only did the '72-'73 Sixers lose 20 in a row, but they finished the season 9-73. That's the worst record in NBA history.
This, despite having five major players averaging double-digits in points per game. Ah, the high-scoring days of the early 70's.
Fred Carter led the squad with 20 PPG and more than 1,600 points total.
6 (tie). New York Knicks (1984-85, 1985-86): 20 Games Lost in a Row
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The Knicks finished the 1984-85 season by losing their final 12 games and posting a 24-58 record, ensuring what would be the greatest draft in the team's history.
They won the lottery and selected Georgetown center Patrick Ewing. Even so, New York lost the first eight games in 1985-86.
6 (tie). Dallas Mavericks (1993-94): 20 Games Lost in a Row
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The woeful 1993-94 Dallas Mavericks finished 13-69, actually an improvement over the previous year when they managed only 11 wins (second-worst total ever). Twenty-four wins in two years, wow, that's hard to do even if you're trying.
The '93-'94 Mavericks set the tone early, going 2-41 to start the season, and eventually wound up with Jason Kidd for their efforts.
Jamal Mashburn and Jim Jackson led the Mavs that year with 19.2 PPG.
6 (tie). Los Angeles Clippers (1993-94, 1994-95): 20 Games Lost in a Row
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Looks like the Dallas Mavericks weren't the only horror show in the NBA in '93-'94. The Clippers went 2-14 down the stretch, losing the final four, and then continued where they left off, dropping the first 16 in '94-'95.
Not even Dominique Wilkins, Mark Jackson or Danny Manning could help the Clips in 1993-94, as they went 27-55. They were all gone in 1994-95, and L.A. won 10 fewer games.
5. Detroit Pistons (1979-80, 1980-81): 21 Games Lost in a Row
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Hall of Fame center (and apparent good citizen) Bob Lanier was a fixture in Detroit for 10 years. He was drafted by the Pistons with the first overall pick in 1970 and led the team into the playoffs four years in a row (1973-1976).
But after two years of not making the playoffs and starting 1979-80 at 14-40, the Pistons traded their seven-time All-Star and proceeded to descend further in the standings.
Detroit lost its last 14 games in 1979-80 and finished in the basement, then lost the first seven of 1980-81 en route to another last-place finish.
3 (tie). Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-96): 23 Games Lost in a Row
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In the tradition of all expansion franchises, the Vancouver Grizzlies struggled in their first season, going 15-67.
They actually won their first two games, then lost the next 19. But they weren't done yet. They lost another 23 in a row later in the season.
That's Byron Scott, the current Cleveland Cavaliers coach, on the Grizzlies that year.
3 (tie). Denver Nuggets (1997-98): 23 Games Lost in a Row
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The hapless 1997-98 Nuggets went 11-71, tying for the second-worst record ever.
LaPhonso Ellis and Johnny Newman were the leading scorers for Denver that year, but you already knew that.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (1981-82, 1982-83): 24 Games Lost in a Row
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Yes, you read that right. The Cleveland Cavaliers have broken their own record.
In 1981-82, four coaches (Don Delaney, Bob Kloppenburg, Chuck Daly and Bill Musselman) combined to help the Cavs to a 15-67 record. It was Musselman who managed the last 19 losses of the season.
Cleveland's fifth coach in two years, Tom Nissalke, fared little better, going 23-59 in 1982-83, losing the first five games of the season and 15 of the first 17.
Bill Laimbeer started his career in 1980 with the Cavaliers, but was traded away just before the losing streak.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (2010-11): 25 Games Lost in a Row...
9 of 9...and counting.
On Monday night, February 7th, the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers became the owners of the longest losing streak in NBA history: 25 games.
For a look at the worst teams in sports history, check out Adam Lazarus' superb Cleveland Cavaliers and the Worst Teams in Sports History.
For a list of the 50 worst NBA teams of all time, click here.
To see the top NBA losing streaks within a single season check out Sports Illustrated's 12 Longest NBA Losing Streaks.
