The Detroit Pistons lost 126-115 to the Brooklyn Nets as they equalled the NBA record of 26 defeats in a row during a season.

They join the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2010-11 and the Philadelphia 76ers in 2013-14 in sharing the record for the longest single-season losing streak.

“Losing is awful in this league and we’ve had a lot of it,” said Pistons coach Monty Williams.

“I’m proud of the way that they just keep battling every night.”

He added: “Our guys don’t want to be a part of any kind of losing streak, whatever. But every day they come back with focus and drive and grit trying to win a game.”

The Pistons got to within two points of their opponents when they trailed 77-75 in the third quarter before the Nets pulled away and finished the quarter 98-82 in front on the way to victory.

Mikal Bridges scored 29 points with six rebounds and seven assists for the Nets, while Jaden Ivey top scored for the Pistons with 23 points as he also contributed six rebounds and seven assists.

The all-time longest losing streak in NBA history is a 28-game run by the Sixers spread between the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons.

Elsewhere, LeBron James scored 40 points and registered seven rebounds and seven assists as helped the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 129-120.

Luka Doncic produced his sixth triple-double of the season as his Dallas Mavericks team beat the San Antonio Spurs 144-119.

Doncic managed 39 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in the win against a Spurs side missing French star Victor Wembanyama.