You might be wrong if you think the Detroit Pistons will fall off like their predecessors. This team feels like a new version of the “Bad Boy Pistons,” one that aims to set a higher standard with each passing game. Some even say Cade Cunningham is the new Grant Hill, especially after the Pistons ended an unwanted losing streak.
Until Game 2 of their first-round series vs. the New York Knicks, the Pistons had lost 15 straight playoff games. That streak ended, however, with Cunningham’s 33-point performance. Now, let’s take a look at the top 10 longest losing streaks in NBA playoff history.
Unwanted Top 10 Longest Losing Streaks in NBA Playoffs History
This list features NBA teams with playoff losing streaks, ranked from shortest to longest. A few teams are tied with the same number of consecutive losses.
Portland Trail Blazers: 10 (1999-00 – 2002-03)
The Portland Trail Blazers had a talented roster with players like Rasheed Wallace and Scottie Pippen. They finished 59-23 in 1999-00, behind only the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz. But in the playoffs, they lost to the eventual champion Lakers.
Portland would get swept by LA in back-to-back seasons following its Western Conference Finals loss and its first three games against the Dallas Mavericks in 2003 before finally ending the streak thanks to big games from Zach Randolph and Wallace.
Kansas City/Sacramento Kings: 10 (1980-81 – 1995-96)
Otis Birdsong averaged 24.6 points for Kansas City (now the Sacramento Kings), helping them finish second in the Midwest Division, but they fell short in the 1981 playoffs, losing to the Houston Rockets.
It wasn’t until 1996, led by six-time All-Star Mitch Richmond, that Sacramento broke the streak with a win over the Seattle SuperSonics.
New Jersey Nets: 10 (1983-84 – 1991-92)
The New Jersey Nets had a 45-37 record in 1983-84 and a promising roster, but Sidney Moncrief’s defense for the Milwaukee Bucks was too much. That started a run of playoff losses that ended in 1992 when Dražen Petrović and Derrick Coleman led a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Brooklyn Nets: 10 (2020-21 – Present)
Now that the Pistons ended their streak, the Brooklyn Nets hold the longest active playoff losing streak. Under Steve Nash, the trio of Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant had championship hopes. But Durant’s infamous toe-on-the-line moment changed everything.
Since then, Boston and Philadelphia have swept them in back-to-back first-round series.
Denver Nuggets: 11 (1987-88 – 1993-94)
Alex English put the Denver Nuggets on the map in the late ’80s, but after losing to the Mavericks in the 1987-88 playoffs, they dropped 11 straight.
The drought finally ended in 1994 when Dikembe Mutombo led Denver past Seattle with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and six blocks.
Baltimore Bullets: 11 (1964-65 – 1969-70)
The Baltimore Bullets, led by Walt Bellamy, lost to the Lakers in their early playoff runs. But things turned around with Wes Unseld and Earl Monroe leading them to a win over the Knicks in 1970.
Fun fact: Unseld averaged 23.6 rebounds, and Monroe scored 28.0 points in that series.
Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets: 12 (2001-02 – 2015-16)
Charlotte went 14 years without a playoff win, losing 12 straight. With a 103.3 defensive rating, they made the 2001-02 playoffs but lost to the Nets 4-1.
In 2016, Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Hornets finally snapped the streak with a win over the Miami Heat.
Memphis Grizzlies: 12 (2003-04 – 2010-11)
Led by Pau Gasol, the Memphis Grizzlies went 50-32 in 2003-04, but the San Antonio Spurs were too much and swept them. They also lost series to the Phoenix Suns and Mavericks before the 2010-11 “Grit and Grind” team of Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, Tony Allen, and Rudy Gay beat the Spurs to end the streak.
New York Knicks: 13 (2000-01 – 2011-12)
The Knicks went 11 years without a playoff win, losing 13 straight. It started with a loss to the Toronto Raptors in 2001, but in 2012, Carmelo Anthony led them past the Heat to break the streak.
Fittingly, the Pistons broke their own streak this year by beating the Knicks in the playoffs.
Detroit Pistons: 15 (2007-08 – 2024-25)
Cunningham dropped 33 points to snap the Pistons’ 17-year playoff losing streak. They last reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2008, losing to the Celtics 4-2. Since then, it’s been rebuilding season after rebuilding season.
But that changed when they beat New York in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden, ending Detroit’s 15-game streak. And now, with a young and motivated core, many believe this team could surprise a few people.