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New York Knicks: Will team break franchise losing streak record?

By Holden Walter-Warner

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 05: Dennis Smith Jr. #5 of the New York Knicks dribbles down the court during the third quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on February 05, 2019 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 05: Dennis Smith Jr. #5 of the New York Knicks dribbles down the court during the third quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on February 05, 2019 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks have lost 16 straight, putting them within striking distance of a historically ignominious mark for the franchise.

Being a New York Knicks fan is not for the faint of heart these days.

Following back-to-back losses to the Detroit Pistons and a defeat at the hands of the Toronto Raptors, the Knicks are now losers of 16 straight games. Their ten victories are the least in the NBA entering Sunday’s play.

Despite New York’s string of bad luck and bad losses, the record for longest losing streak in league history seems unreachable. Just a few seasons again, the Philadelphia 76ers lost 28 straight games between two seasons – the Knicks are barely halfway to that point.

The franchise’s longest losing streak, however, is just a handful of losses away. Between the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons, the team lost 20 straight, starting with the Kansas City Kings playing out their final games before moving to Sacramento.

To match that mark, New York will have to lose their next four games. Even for these Knicks, that might too tall a task.

After a couple of days of rest, the Knicks will hit the road to face the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs are almost just as bad as the Knicks, though they are working on reintegrating Kevin Love into the lineup.

Next is a game against the Philadelphia 76ers – count that as a loss. New York plays the Atlanta Hawks the very next night. Atlanta’s not a good team, but the back end of this back-to-back involves a flight from New York to Atlanta, which could make the Knicks susceptible to some extreme fatigue.

A week off due to the All-Star Break could leave fans on the edge of their seats as the Minnesota Timberwolves come to town on Feb. 22. At this point, that game looks like a toss-up, with odds likely falling in favor of the team led by Karl-Anthony Towns.

If the Knicks somehow lose all four, a home loss to the San Antonio Spurs would seal the longest losing streak in franchise history.

So will they do it? Consider this optimistic, but it’s hard to see the Knicks losing in both Cleveland and Atlanta over this stretch. Those teams have as little to play for as New York, and it should show.

Next. Trade Deadline winners and losers. dark

It’s been trying season for the Knicks. The franchise’s longest losing streak is one injustice they should avoid.

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