Streaks have always been a source of controversy for teams and fans alike. Teams worry about injuries to their players, while fans get disappointed when their favorite players are out. Over the past decade, load management has emerged as a strategy to combat streaks.
But who gets to make the short and long decisions when it comes to scheduling NBA games?
We looked at every regular season game since 2004-05 (when the league expanded to 30 teams). The key takeaway is that the Lakers have won the fewest consecutive games in the league over the past 20 years: just 336. (For comparison, the Clippers have won 382, which is 2.3 more per season on average.)
The overall ranking is as follows:
David Butler II – USA TODAY Sports
Most consecutive games: 23 (2005-06, 2011-12)
Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Most consecutive games: 23 (2011-12)
Carrie Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Most consecutive games: 23 (2005-06, 2012-13)
Dennis Wierzbicki – USA TODAY Sports
Most consecutive games: 23 (2010-11, 2011-12)
Mark J. Revillas-USA TODAY Sports
Most consecutive games: 23 (2004-05, 2010-11)
Mike Lowry/Getty Images
Most consecutive games: 22 (2007-08, 2011-12)
Streeter Reka/Getty Images
Most consecutive games: 23 (2004-05)
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Most consecutive games: 23 (2005-06)
Elsa/Getty Images
Most consecutive games: 23 (2005-06)
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Most consecutive games: 23 (2012-13)
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Most consecutive games: 22 (2007-08, 2008-09)
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Most consecutive games: 23 (2005-06, 2010-11)
Carrie Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Most consecutive games: 22 (2012-13)
Carrie Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Most consecutive games: 22 (2007-08, 2009-10)
Jed Jacobson/Getty Images
Most consecutive games: 22 (2004-05, 2007-08)
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Most consecutive games: 23 (2012-13)
Marilyn Indahl – USA Today Sports
Most consecutive games: 22 (2009-10, 2013-14)
Chris Gracen/Getty Images
Most consecutive games: 23 (2005-06, 2007-08)
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Most consecutive games: 22 (2011-12)
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Most consecutive games: 21 (2012-13, 2013-14)
Elliot J. Schechter/Getty Images
Most consecutive games: 21 (2005-06, 2006-07)
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Most consecutive games: 21 (2005-06, 2011-12)
Brian Bach/Getty Images
Most consecutive games: 23 (2004-05)
Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images
Most consecutive games: 22 (2005-06)
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Most consecutive games: 21 (2010-11)
Lim Soo-beom – USA TODAY Sports
Most consecutive games: 21 (2012-13, 2015-16)
Lim Soo-beom – USA TODAY Sports
Most consecutive games: 22 (2012-13)
Jed Jacobson/Getty Images
Most consecutive games: 23 (2004-05)
Otto Gruhl Jr./Getty Images
Most consecutive games: 23 (2004-05)
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Most consecutive games: 20 (2010-11)
