Daily Archives: May 6, 2012
Longest Losing Streaks in NBA Playoff History
Carmelo Anthony Brings the New York Knicks Their First Playoff Win in 11 Years
The New York Knicks at last have won a playoff game, avoiding a third consecutive postseason sweep by defeating the Miami Heat in a nail-biter 89-87.
Thus ends the Knicks’ record-breaking playoff losing streak at 13.
In Round 1 of last year’s playoffs, New York’s first in seven years, the Knicks were blanked by the Boston Celtics.
Following the 2003-04 season, the Knicks were swept in Round 1 also, this time by the New Jersey Nets. Don’t laugh, the Nets went to the NBA Finals the two years prior.
You have to go back to 2001 to pick up two more losses – at the hands of the Toronto Raptors who bounced the Knicks in five.
Add all that to the first three losses in this year’s postseason and that’s 13 postseason losses in a row – the NBA record.
Thanks to basketball-reference.com’s play index, here are the teams who round out the top 10 losing streaks in NBA playoff history.
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| TEAM | STREAK | FROM | TO | |
| 1. | New York Knicks | 13 | 2001 | 2012 |
| 2. | Memphis Grizzlies | 12 | 2004 | 2006 |
| 3. | Baltimore Bullets | 11 | 1965 | 1970 |
| 3. | Denver Nuggets | 11 | 1988 | 1994 |
| 5. | Sacramento/Kansas City Kings | 10 | 1981 | 1996 |
| 5. | New Jersey Nets | 10 | 1984 | 1992 |
| 5. | Portland Trail Blazers | 10 | 2000 | 2003 |
| 8. | New York Knicks | 9 | 1953 | 1955 |
| 9. | Philadelphia Warriors | 8 | 1948 | 1952 |
| 9. | Milwaukee Bucks | 8 | 1990 | 2000 |
| 9. | Cleveland Cavaliers | 8 | 1993 | 1995 |
| 9. | Boston Celtics | 8 | 2003 | 2004 |
| 9. | Washington Wizards | 8 | 2006 | 2008 |
| 9. | Denver Nuggets | 8 | 2007 | 2008 |
Photo: bettor.com
