Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia 76ers reached a new low Friday, dropping their 17th-consecutive game to start the season and 27th in a row overall dating back to last year after a 116-114 loss to the Houston Rockets.

According to ESPN, the 76ers' 27 straight losses mark a new record in major United States professional sports. Per Michael Lee of Yahoo Sports, this is also the second-straight year in which they have started 0-17.

On the bright side, Philadelphia is getting closer to finding that elusive first win. The Sixers have lost their last four games by a combined 16 points, and their two-point margin of defeat Friday against the Rockets was their closest of the season.

Philadelphia did get two wins during the preseason, so this year hasn't been a total waste. Its last victory in a game that counted toward the standings, though, was March 25 against the Denver Nuggets.

The once-proud 76ers franchise has fallen off a cliff since finishing 35-31 in 2011-12. Philadelphia's win total has decreased in each of the last three years, with that dubious streak looking likely to extend to four this season.