Sixers take it in reverse, losing to Celtics for 0-16

BOSTON – The Philadelphia 76ers found a way to tie the longest losing streak in major US professional sports history.

Blowing a late five-point lead in an 84-80 loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night, the 76ers tumbled to their 26th straight loss and 16th in a row to start the season.

Philadelphia tied the major US professional sports futility mark set by the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1976-77 and matched by the 76ers in 2013-14. They are two losses away from tying the then-New Jersey Nets’ NBA-worst mark of 18 losses to open a season.

“How many streaks have I been a part of?” 76ers third-year coach Brett Brown said. “I’m numb to it.”

Isaiah Thomas scored 30 points, Jae Crowder hit a go-ahead 3-pointer, and Evan Turner added 16 points for Boston. The 76ers scored three points in the final 6:13.

“It is hard,” Philadelphia forward Nerlens Noel said. “You’re so close to getting that first W. There’s couple of plays that you’ve got to sleep on.”

Jahill Okafor led the 76ers with 19 points and nine rebounds. Hollis Thompson scored 15 points.

Boston coach Brad Stevens said his team was feeling pressure, too.

“We were tight and we missed a lot of shots, and they were dominating us in the paint as far as blocking shots and at the rim and everything else,” he said.

The 76ers opened an 11-point lead early in the final quarter and held that same advantage after Thompson’s basket in the lane with just over 6 minutes to play. Boston then scored the next nine points, closing it to 77-75 on Jared Sullinger’s jumper from the left corner with 3:13 left.