When the Phoenix Mercury suffered a defeat at the hands of the Dallas Wings on Sunday, it marked the end of an impressive era of continuous success. After an astounding streak of 10 years leading the league, the team will not be competing in the W.N.B.A. playoffs this season.
Securing a playoff spot year after year is unexpectedly challenging in the realm of sports. Player turnovers, changes in coaching staff, or injuries, or a combination of all three, can result in a losing record and a postseason absence. Even with expanded playoff brackets in various sports, achieving a decade-long run like the Mercury’s is a rarity in modern times.
Let’s take a closer look at the current North American teams that have consistently demonstrated the required skill level for multiple seasons.
N.H.L.: Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs maintain impressive seven-season streaks. However, it is worth noting that neither of these streaks includes a Stanley Cup victory. The Bruins last lifted the Cup in 2011, while the Leafs’ last triumph dates back to the distant year of 1967.
However, the most remarkable recent playoff streak in hockey belongs to the Pittsburgh Penguins, who managed an astounding 16 consecutive appearances and clinched the Cup in 2009, 2016, and 2017. The streak came to an end last season when the team missed the playoffs by a single point.
In the W.N.B.A., the Connecticut Sun holds the record with an ongoing streak of seven seasons. The Sun’s success can be attributed to the decision to start Jonquel Jones, who initially served as a substitute during her rookie year. With Jones contributing 15 points per game and averaging a record-breaking 12 rebounds per game in the 2017 season, the Sun secured a playoff spot. Since then, they haven’t missed the playoffs, even after trading Jones to the Liberty. Although the Sun reached the finals twice during their streak, they have yet to claim the championship title.
Turning our attention to the N.F.L., the Kansas City Chiefs stand out with an impressive eight-season streak of playoff appearances under the leadership of Andy Reid. This achievement is particularly noteworthy considering that the next best streak belongs to the Buffalo Bills, with just four consecutive playoff appearances. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hold three, while two teams have two, and the remaining 26 teams have either one or zero playoff appearances. It is important to mention that the Chiefs’ streak includes three seasons with Alex Smith as the starting quarterback, in addition to the past five seasons with Patrick Mahomes. During this time, the Chiefs reached the Super Bowl three times, emerging victorious in two of those matchups.
In the N.B.A., the Boston Celtics have enjoyed a streak of nine consecutive playoff appearances. While this is an impressive accomplishment, it does not compare to the most remarkable recent playoff streak in the world of sports. The San Antonio Spurs achieved an unprecedented 22-season playoff streak before falling short in the last three seasons. However, the Celtics could potentially initiate a new streak with the addition of Victor Wembanyama, the first overall pick in the upcoming season.
Switching gears, collegiate sports offer a different landscape, but their accomplishments are still notable. Consider the University of Kansas men’s basketball team, which has participated in the N.C.A.A. tournament for an impressive 33 consecutive seasons. On the women’s side, the University of Tennessee has maintained a perfect attendance record, participating in all 41 N.C.A.A. tournaments held thus far.
Moving on to Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers reign supreme with an ongoing streak of 10 playoff appearances. Barring a monumental collapse, this streak is poised to extend to 11 seasons as the Dodgers currently lead the National League West by a significant margin. It is worth noting that although the Dodgers experienced back-to-back World Series losses in 2017 and 2018, they clinched the championship in 2020 amidst the unique circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic, with games played within a bubble in Arlington, Texas. Notable players that contributed to the team’s success include Justin Turner, who hit 156 home runs between 2014 and 2022, and Corey Seager, who boasted a staggering .504 slugging percentage from 2015 to 2021. Despite the absence of these key players in the current season, the Dodgers maintain their status as one of the best teams in baseball.
When discussing the modern Dodgers, one cannot overlook the remarkable presence of Clayton Kershaw. Since his debut in 2010, Kershaw has become synonymous with the team. Over the years, he has amassed an impressive record of 208 regular-season wins, along with 13 playoff victories and three World Series titles, two of which were secured during the team’s triumphant 2020 campaign.
Lastly, in Major League Soccer (M.L.S.), the New York Red Bulls hold the longest active playoff streak at 13 seasons. This answer may come as a surprise, considering the team’s failure to capture an M.L.S. Cup throughout its history. Despite their consistent playoff appearances, the Red Bulls’ best performance remains reaching the semifinals on three occasions. While this season presents a formidable challenge with the team currently placed 11th, three points shy of a playoff spot, it is advisable to pose the Red Bulls trivia question promptly.
In conclusion, achieving a sustained period of successful playoff appearances is an arduous task in the world of sports. The aforementioned teams have surpassed expectations and displayed their exceptional talents by consistently reaching the playoffs year after year, carving their names into the annals of their respective sports.
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