Wilkens ties record for most career losses

[MFFL]

Wilkens now owns most wins and losses
April 1, 2003
SportsLine.com wire reports

Lenny Wilkens ties Bill Fitch for most career losses.(AP)
Wilkens tied the NBA record for most career coaching losses, going down to defeat for the 1,106th time Tuesday night as Richard Hamilton scored 20 points and Ben Wallace had 20 rebounds to lead the Detroit Pistons past the Toronto Raptors 92-85.

Wilkens, already the winningest coach in league history with 1,291 victories, tied Bill Fitch's record. Wilkens is in his 30th year as an NBA coach, whereas Fitch coached for 25 seasons.

"If you coach long enough that's what happens. It's not really a big thing," said a somber Wilkens, who clearly didn't want to talk about it. "I've been around a long time and have been successful, and with success that kind of thing comes."

Wilkens, who has one year remaining on his contract but whose coaching future is nonetheless in jeopardy, will break the record if the Raptors lose to the Pistons in a rematch Wednesday night.

"I didn't really know about it," said Carter, who had 20 points. "I don't even know what the record is."