From fiery finishes to thrilling comebacks, the NBA Playoffs have featured countless classic games. While there have been many unforgettable classics, there have also been some lopsided duds that the losing team hopes everyone will quickly forget.
The best players make it to the playoffs, but in a win-or-lose league like the NBA, it might not be your night, even if you're the defending champion. Combine an off night with a frenetic performance from your opponent and you have the formula for a game that quickly gets out of hand.
Throughout the history of the NBA Playoffs, there have been 26 games decided by 40 points or more: 10 in the first round, nine in the semifinals, six in the conference finals, and one in the NBA Finals.
What are the biggest wins in NBA playoff history? From a 58-point blowout loss in 2009 to an improbable 42-point loss in the NBA Finals, here's a list of the most lopsided losses in the NBA postseason. Masu.
Details: Dates, times and TV channels for each 2023 NBA Playoffs game.
Biggest disaster in NBA playoff history
The largest margin of victory in NBA playoff history is 58, which has happened twice. Most recently, the Denver Nuggets defeated the New Orleans Hornets 121-63 in Game 4 of the first round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs.
In Game 6 of the 2024 Western Conference semifinals, the Timberwolves defeated the Nuggets by 45 points and avoided elimination. It was the eighth biggest loss in NBA postseason history and the biggest since the Clippers defeated the Mavs 154-111 in the first round of the 2020 Western Conference Playoffs.
| runk | Year | series | game | point margin |
| 1. | 2009 | West 1st round | Nuggets 121, Hornets 63 | 58 |
| 1956 | West regional semifinals | Lakers 133, Hawks 75 | 58 | |
| 3. | 1973 | West regional final | Lakers 126, Warriors 70 | 56 |
| Four. | 2015 | East first round | Bulls 120, Bucks 66 | 54 |
| Five. | 1971 | West regional semifinals | Bucks 136, Warriors 86 | 50 |
| 6. | 1995 | East first round | Magic 124, Celtics 77 | 47 |
| 1986 | West 1st round | Lakers 135, Spurs 88 | 47 | |
| 8. | 2024 | West 2nd round | Timberwolves 115, Nuggets 70 | 45 |
| 9. | 2017 | east finals | Cavaliers 130, Celtics 86 | 44 |
| 1997 | West 1st round | Supersonics 122, Suns 78 | 44 | |
| 1985 | West regional final | Lakers 153, Nuggets 109 | 44 | |
| 1958 | West regional final | Hawks 145, Pistons 101 | 44 | |
| 13. | 2020 | West 1st round | Clippers 154, Mavericks 111 | 43 |
| 2010 | East semifinal | Magic 114, Hawks 71 | 43 | |
| 1987 | East first round | Number of pistons: 128, number of bullets: 85 | 43 | |
| 1984 | West regional semifinals | Lakers 134, Mavericks 91 | 43 | |
| 17. | 1998 | nba finals | Bulls 96, Jazz 54 | 42 |
| 18. | 2018 | West regional final | Warriors 126, Rockets 85 | 41 |
| 1991 | East first round | Bulls 126, Knicks 85 | 41 | |
| 20. | 2014 | West 1st round | Clippers 138, Warriors 98 | 40 |
| 2009 | West regional semifinals | Lakers 118, Rockets 78 | 40 | |
| Year 2005 | West 1st round | Mavericks 116, Rockets 76 | 40 | |
| 1983 | West regional semifinals | Spurs 145, Nuggets 105 | 40 | |
| 1982 | east finals | Celtics 121, 76ers 81 | 40 | |
| 1978 | East semifinal | 76ers 130, Knicks 90 | 40 | |
| 1969 | West regional semifinals | Lakers 118, Warriors 78 | 40 |
