From furious finishes to thrilling comebacks, the NBA Playoffs have delivered countless classic games. While there have been many unforgettable classics, there have also been some lopsided duds that the losing team hopes everyone would forget immediately.
The best of the best advance to the playoffs, but in a make-or-miss league like the NBA, sometimes it’s just not your night — even if you’re a defending champ. Pair an off night with a red-hot performance from your opponent, and you have the formula for a game that gets out of hand quickly.
Throughout the history of the NBA Playoffs, there have been 28 games decided by 40 or more points — 12 in the first round, nine in the semifinals, six in the conference finals, and one in the NBA Finals.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
What are the largest wins in NBA Playoffs history? From a 58-point shellacking in 2009 to an unlikely 42-point blowout in the NBA Finals, here’s a list of the most lopsided losses in the NBA’s postseason.
NBA PLAYOFFS HQ: Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracket
What is the biggest blowout in NBA Playoffs history?
The largest margin of victory in NBA Playoffs history is 58, which was done twice. Most recently, the Nuggets earned a 121-63 win over the New Orleans Hornets in Game 4 of the first round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs.
Biggest blowouts in NBA Playoffs history
Denver’s 2009 win over New Orleans is one of seven 50-point victories in the NBA Playoffs. An additional three playoff games have been decided by 45 or more points.
The Cavaliers completed a sweep of the Heat with a 55-point win in Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference first round. It’s the fourth-biggest win in playoffs history and the biggest since the Thunder took care of the Grizzlies by 51 in Game 1 of the 2025 Western Conference first round.
| Rank | Year | Series | Game | Point Margin |
| 1. | 2009 | West First Round | Nuggets 121, Hornets 63 | 58 |
| 1956 | West Semifinals | Lakers 133, Hawks 75 | 58 | |
| 3. | 1973 | West Finals | Lakers 126, Warriors 70 | 56 |
| 4. | 2025 | East Frst Round | Cavaliers 128, Heat 73 | 55 |
| 5. | 2015 | East First Round | Bulls 120, Bucks 66 | 54 |
| 6. | 2025 | West First Round | Thunder 131, Grizzlies 80 | 51 |
| 7. | 1971 | West Semifinals | Bucks 136, Warriors 86 | 50 |
| 8. | 1995 | East First Round | Magic 124, Celtics 77 | 47 |
| 1986 | West First Round | Lakers 135, Spurs 88 | 47 | |
| 10. | 2024 | West Second Round | Timberwolves 115, Nuggets 70 | 45 |
| 11. | 2017 | East Finals | Cavaliers 130, Celtics 86 | 44 |
| 1997 | West First Round | SuperSonics 122, Suns 78 | 44 | |
| 1985 | West Finals | Lakers 153, Nuggets 109 | 44 | |
| 1958 | West Finals | Hawks 145, Pistons 101 | 44 | |
| 15. | 2020 | West First Round | Clippers 154, Mavericks 111 | 43 |
| 2010 | East Semifinals | Magic 114, Hawks 71 | 43 | |
| 1987 | East First Round | Pistons 128, Bullets 85 | 43 | |
| 1984 | West Semifinals | Lakers 134, Mavericks 91 | 43 | |
| 19. | 1998 | NBA Finals | Bulls 96, Jazz 54 | 42 |
| 20. | 2018 | West Finals | Warriors 126, Rockets 85 | 41 |
| 1991 | East First Round | Bulls 126, Knicks 85 | 41 | |
| 22. | 2014 | West First Round | Clippers 138, Warriors 98 | 40 |
| 2009 | West Semifinals | Lakers 118, Rockets 78 | 40 | |
| 2005 | West First Round | Mavericks 116, Rockets 76 | 40 | |
| 1983 | West Semifinals | Spurs 145, Nuggets 105 | 40 | |
| 1982 | East Finals | Celtics 121, 76ers 81 | 40 | |
| 1978 | East Semifinals | 76ers 130, Knicks 90 | 40 | |
| 1969 | West Semifinals | Lakers 118, Warriors 78 | 40 |
