The Detroit Pistons lost their 26th straight game Saturday, falling 126-115 to the Brooklyn Nets to match the NBA record for longest losing streak in a season.
The Pistons joined the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers and the 2013-14 Philadelphia 76ers to drop to 2-27 in their first season under Monty Williams.
These teams meet again Tuesday in Detroit, with the Pistons nearing the longest overall slide in league history. The 76ers dropped 28 in a row from late in the 2014-15 season through early 2015-16.
Mikal Bridges had 29 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Nets, who had seven players in double figures to snap their five-game skid.
Jaden Ivey scored 23 points and Cade Cunningham had 22 as Detroit remained winless since Oct. 28.
Brooklyn put the game away with a 15-0 run in the third and fourth quarters to open a 21-point lead.
Streaking Bucks handle Knicks
Giannis Antetokoumpo tallied 28 points, seven assists and seven rebounds to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to their seventh straight win, 130-111 over the New York Knicks in the opener of a two-game series.
Bobby Portis had 23 points and 11 rebounds, Khris Middleton added 20 points and Damain Lillard contributed 19 points, nine boards and seven assists to help the Bucks win their ninth game in a row against the Knicks.
The teams will meet again on Monday in front of a national TV audience.
Jalen Brunson poured in 36 points for New York after he had 45 points in a loss to Milwaukee on Nov. 3.
The Bucks essentially put the game out of reach with an 11-0 run early in the fourth quarter, turning an 11-point lead into a 114-92 cushion on Portis’ 3-pointer with 6:29 remaining.
Doncic stars in Mavericks’ win as Wembanyama sits
Luka Dončić had 39 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to power the Dallas Mavericks to a 144-119 rout of the San Antonio Spurs, who were without rookie Victor Wembanyama.
Doncic recorded his seventh triple-double of the season and 63rd of his career in just three quarters. It was his 36th triple-double with at least 30 points, one shy of LeBron James for third on the career list.
Wembanyama did not play after the rookie stepped on a ball boy’s foot after taking a few steps following a shot before the game.
The Spurs lost their fourth straight and have dropped 22 of their last 23 games.