Top 5 biggest losses in NBA history: Which teams have suffered the highest margin defeats?

Here are the biggest blowouts in NBA history in terms of point margin that saw teams absolutely demolish their opponents.

Top 5 biggest losses in NBA history: Which teams have suffered the highest margin defeats?

Biggest margin losses in NBA history (Image: FS)

Over the years, NBA teams have racked up some memorable wins and losses in their franchise history. Among those many iconic scorelines, some of the worst losses in league history have boasted a staggering point margin between the teams.

Throughout the years, teams that have suffered large point gap humiliations at the hands of their foes have naturally been subject to heavy criticism. Incredible yet true, there have been games where a team even scored twice the point of their opponents!

Heavy losses early in the league can eventually decide the rest of the season for a franchise. Nevertheless, that is not always the case, and we have seen teams bounce back following rough thrashings in a just few games. Today we take a look at the five biggest losses in NBA history in terms of point margin.

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5. Portland Trail Blazers vs Oklahoma City Thunder: 62-point loss

The Oklahoma City Thunder had a show of a lifetime at the Paycom Center on January 11, 2024. The dominating display from the OKC saw them demolish the Portland Trail Blazers netting 139 points against the Blazers’ 77.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe reacts to their lopsided loss
Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe reacts to their lopsided loss (via Imago)

While their defense was in shambles, the Blazers were just as miserable in offense. On the flip side, the OKC ran riots on the floor, acting as a formidable unit on all fronts.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a fantastic night for the Thunder, scoring game-high 31 points. The Oklahoma-based franchise was also involved in another lopsided scoreline on this list, ironically on the losing side.

4. Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers: 63-point loss

On March 19, 1972, the Los Angeles Lakers made history by winning with a 63-point margin against the Golden State Warriors which was the all-time record back then.

The Lakers roster included Wilt Chamberlain, the rebounding monster, but it was Gail Goodrich who came up with 30 points for the team. The purple and gold ended up scoring 162 points, while the Warriors managed only 99 points. Jim Barnett scored 15 for the Bay Area team.

Gail Goodrich
Gail Goodrich (via AFP)

The Golden State Warriors just had a rough 63 points lost but pounced back from it by the end of the regular season, clinching a playoff spot. Well, as for the Lakers, they went on to win their first NBA championship since moving to Los Angeles.

3. Portland Trailblazers vs Indiana Pacers: 65-point loss

In February 1998, it was the first time in history an NBA team scored more than twice the points of their opponents. In a fateful fixture, the Portland Trail Blazers crumbled to a 124-59 loss in face of the Indiana Pacers.

Portland Trailblazers vs Indiana Pacers: 65-point loss
(via AP)

The 65-point loss marked one of their worst ever on-court displays where the Trail Blazers lacked thoroughly in offense. Indiana Pacers won the game having scored more than twice their opponents for the first time in franchise history.

2. Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers: 68-point loss

On 17th December 1991 that Miami Heat suffered one of the most shocking humiliations in their franchise history. The Cleveland Cavaliers handed the Miami-based franchise a brutal thrashing that would serve as one of the worst ever losses in NBA history.

While the Cavs absolutely dominated the paint, their opponents failed to replicate half their performance. The game ended 148-80 where only few of the Heat players managed to reach double digits in scoring.

Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers: 68-point loss
(via Cavs den)

Up until 2021, the Heat’s 68-point loss at the hands of Cleveland Cavaliers was the worst ever NBA defeat recorded.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies: 73-point loss

On December 2, 2021, the Memphis Grizzlies recorded their franchise highest 152 points against Oklahoma City Thunder. To date, the 73-point difference remains the largest ever in a single NBA game.

Grizzlies celebrate their win over the Oklahoma City Thunder
Grizzlies celebrate their win over the Oklahoma City Thunder (via Imago)

As for Thunder, it was one fateful Wednesday fixture that saw them suffer the worst ever NBA defeat in history. Their offense failed miserably, and their defense was in shambles. In response to the Grizzlies’ 152 points, OKC only managed to score 79 points. Needless to say, the biggest blowout in NBA history is also the worst ever defeat the league has ever seen.

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