Assuming the Wizards keep losing, they COULD make NBA history on Jan. 5 at home against the New Orleans Pelicans by losing 29 games in a row.
The Washington Wizards have lost 14 straight games, which included a winless November. It’s not unexpected that the Wizards would be among the worst teams in the NBA — okay, they are the worst team in the NBA.
But that got me thinking. Is it time to write about a piece about the Wizards’ pace toward a potential NBA record losing streak?
Why not?
What is the Wizards’ current franchise record losing streak and when could the Wizards break it?
The Wizards’ franchise record losing streak is 16, starting on Jan 31, 2024 in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers and ended on Mar. 8, 2024 when they defeated the Charlotte Hornets.
Since the Wizards have lost 14 in a row, they could tie the franchise record on Thursday, Dec. 5 against the Dallas Mavericks assuming they also lose to the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road tomorrow.
The Wizards could break their franchise record losing streak on Saturday, Dec. 7 when they host the Denver Nuggets. That is quite possibly loss No. 17 in a row.
My hunch is that the Wizards will break the franchise record losing streak given how non competitive most of their games have been over the last month.
What is the NBA record losing streak, and when COULD the Wizards break it?
Even if and when the Wizards lose 17 games in a row, it would still only be the 29th longest losing streak in NBA history. The record is 28 straight losses by the Detroit Pistons in the 2023-24 season, and 28 straight losses by the Philadelphia 76ers if you count 10 straight losses in the 2014-15 season and 18 straight losses in the 2015-16 season.
When could the Wizards approach losses No. 28 and No. 29?
The Wizards would hit a losing streak of 28 against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, Jan. 3 on the road, assuming they don’t win any of their games in December. Note that the Wizards will have two regular season games to fill out their schedule based on how the NBA Cup standings go.
Finally, on Sunday, Jan. 5, the Wizards will lose 29 games in a row if they lose to the Pelicans, this time at home. If this losing streak goes on that long, then they will have sole possession of the NBA record.
Should Wizards fans morbidly wait to see the team lose 29 in a row?
No. This season is meant to be a rebuilding one. But losing 15, 20, 25 or 29 games in a row messes with a team’s psyche at some point. And though team deconstruction is what Monumental Basketball President Michael Winger is all about, at least with the Wizards, there is also a need for teams to have their fair share of wins in an otherwise rough regular season.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.