The NBA playoffs have had some classic, closely-contested games, but also some one-sided games. Here is the biggest blowout in NBA playoff history.
The 2023 NBA playoffs are currently underway, with 16 teams looking to make it to the Finals and win the Larry O’Brien trophy to be recognized as the league’s champion. It is a long, two-month competition for those involved. In each round, fans are bound to witness some closely-contested, classic games only elevated by the stakes of the playoffs. But then, there are some completely one-sided games that have fans of the winning team feeling good and stress free throughout, while those who cheer for the losing team feel absolute misery.
Speaking on the one-sided games, which game is considered the largest in NBA playoff history? We have the answer for you.
What is the biggest blowout in an NBA playoff game?
The largest margin of victory in an NBA Playoff game is 58 points. There are two instances in which a winning team won by this margin. They are the Denver Nuggets 121-63 win over the New Orleans Hornets back in 2009 and the Minneapolis Lakers defeating the St. Louis Hawks 133-75 back in 1956.
In 2009, the Nuggets were the second seed in the Western Conference with the Hornets clinching the seventh seed. With Denver up 2-1 in their first-round series, they faced off against the Nuggets and completely destroyed them. The Nuggets made 56.6 percent of their shots in that game, while the Hornets were only able to make 31.5 percent from the field. The Hornets were only able to score 24 points total in the second half. Carmelo Anthony led the way for Denver in scoring by putting up 26 points while making 9-of-17 shots.
Back in 1956 Western Division Semifinals, the Lakers were down 0-1 to the Hawks, who beat them 116-115. But, Minneapolis responded in a big way, making 44-of-101 shots, and all 10 of their players scored double-digit points. Unfortunately for the Lakers, the lost a pivotal Game 3 by the score of 116-115 (again), to get eliminated from the playoffs.
Will we ever see a team win by more than a 58 margin in an NBA playoff game? The NBA world will certainly be waiting to see if that is ever going to be attained.