PHILADELPHIA — They are a loss away from becoming the Philadelphia 26ers.

As in, losers of 26 in a row.

A skid that would match the longest losing streak in NBA history and leave the 76ers one loss of holding the record for the four major professional sports.

“It’s tough we lose them consecutively, but it’s the NBA,” guard Tony Wroten said. “You play another day.”

With a another loss Thursday at Houston, the Sixers (15-56) will tie the NBA record of 26 straight losses set by the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers. The potential record setter is Saturday at home against Detroit.

But the 76ers say this seemingly infinite skid comes with a purpose: Finishing first.

Philadelphia is losing to win the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft.

Former Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy is among the critics that call Philly’s style of lottery-bound losing, tanking. Sixers management simply says it’s old-fashioned rebuilding.