The Portland Trail Blazers have the longest active losing streak in the NBA at six games. The good news is that they are getting healthier, with Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III returning to action. The bad news is that they are not yet in the clear from their grueling schedule to start the season.
Their next game is at home against the Denver Nuggets (Thursday, Dec. 19), followed by two road games against the San Antonio Spurs (Saturday, Dec. 21) and Dallas Mavericks (Monday, Dec. 23). Their most realistic shot at snapping the streak could be in the following Dec. 26 game against the Utah Jazz, although we all know what happened last time they played.
While unlikely, there's a world in which the Blazers go the entire month of December without a win. That would put their losing streak at 12 games, which would be tied for third longest in franchise history. The Blazers still have a ways to go before making history for the wrong reasons. Their six-game stretch ranks just tied for the 29th longest.
The Trail Blazers' longest losing streak is 13 games
Here are the Blazers' five longest losing streaks in franchise history:
Losses | Year | Start Date - End Date |
|---|---|---|
13 | 2012-13 | Mar 24 - Apr 17, 2013 |
13 | 1971-72 | Feb 12 - Mar 7, 1972 |
12 | 1985-86 | Feb 4 - Mar 1, 1986 |
11 | 2021-22 | Mar 23 - Apr 10, 2022 |
11 | 2005-06 | Mar 14 - Apr 5, 2006 |
The 2012-13 season was when Damian Lillard won Rookie of the Year. Despite having the dynamic duo of Lillard and All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge, the Blazers finished with a 33-49 record, in large part due to having the fifth-worst defensive rating in the league (109.2).
1971-72 was more justifiable to have that long of a losing streak, as it was only their second season in the league. Portland went 18-64. Not only was that the worst record in the league that year, it was also their worst in franchise history. Interestingly, the Blazers had back-to-back draft picks win Rookie of the Year and make the All-Star team in the same season. No. 8 overall pick Geoff Petrie achieved it in their inaugural season, then No. 2 overall pick Sidney Wicks followed in his footsteps.
If recent history is any indication, this may not be the Blazers' only extended losing streak this season. Last year, they had four separate losing streaks that were longer than their current one. The longest was ten games, dating from Mar. 14 to Apr. 3.
In 2023-24, Portland finished 21-61 with a .256 win percentage. This season, their win percentage is slightly higher at .308. But with their only offseason moves being the trade for Deni Avdija and the selection of Clingan, it's evident that the issues from last season—three-point shooting, defensive rebounding, playmaking, etc.—remain. This current losing streak is just the most recent example of that.