In an event that wasn’t anticipated with enthusiasm by the audience at Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday night, the Detroit Pistons found themselves entangled in NBA history, succumbing to their 27th consecutive defeat with a 118-112 loss against the Brooklyn Nets.
This marks the most uninterrupted losses in a single season in the annals of the league. Although the 76ers hold the overall record with 28 consecutive losses, it spanned the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.
Since their triumph in the home opener against Chicago on October 28, Detroit has failed to secure a victory, leaving them with a disheartening 2-28 record for the season.
Leading into Tuesday’s match, Pistons coach Monty Williams couldn’t evade discussions about this all-time losing streak, a connection he was reluctant to establish with his name. However, the burden persists on the franchise.
“When you contemplate records, it often revolves around coaches, but I’m certain the players don’t wish to be linked to it by the name on their jersey,” remarked Williams. “The weight of it? It has been burdensome for quite a while. Such losing streaks have an inherent gravity, and this won’t change until we actively address and alter the trajectory.”
Cade Cunningham, the top pick in the 2021 draft, concluded the game with an impressive 41 points, accompanied by 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Notably, he accrued 37 points in the second half alone. However, Cunningham has now experienced defeat in all 10 career games where he scored 30 or more points, establishing the longest streak to commence an NBA career, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
Post-game, Cunningham passionately addressed the team in the locker room, emphasizing the areas that need rectification. He urged teammates to “stay together” and cautioned against abandoning ship as the losses continue to accumulate.
“What I conveyed wasn’t necessarily positivity; it was about facing reality. There’s nothing positive about our current situation, so we must delve deep to extricate ourselves from it,” explained Cunningham. “You can’t escape it. It’s a constant weight on us every day, pervasive in every aspect of our lives.”
Although the Pistons initiated the game with a swift start, boasting a double-digit lead (14 points) for the first time since November 12, they encountered challenges in the second quarter with six turnovers, ultimately entering halftime at a 61-54 deficit.
Despite trailing 71-60 in the third quarter, a surge led by Cunningham, who amassed 18 points, narrowed the gap, and the fans rallied with chants of “Let’s go Pistons.” Cunningham’s three-pointer at 8:10 in the final quarter briefly propelled Detroit ahead at 97-92.