This isn’t faculty basketball, and the largest blowouts in NBA historical past aren’t all that widespread.
Certain, 20-point margins of victory are typical, however hardly ever do you ever see one thing just like the Boston Celtics’ 53-point win over the Sacramento Kings on Jan. 26, 2022.
However, imagine it or not, that rout, one of many largest of the 2021-22 season, doesn’t even crack the ten largest blowouts within the NBA report books. Nope, there’s a distinct blowout from that very same marketing campaign that takes the crown.
We’ll aid you keep in mind that one, together with the remainder of the largest runaways in league historical past.
Largest Common-Season Blowouts
73 Factors – Memphis Grizzlies 152, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder 79 (Dec. 2, 2021)
Within the largest blowout in NBA historical past, the stunning Grizzlies set franchise information for many factors in a sport and highest taking pictures share (62.5%) … they usually have been lacking star level guard Ja Morant. 9 Grizzlies scored in double figures, with Jaren Jackson Jr. main the best way with 27. Memphis scored a minimum of 31 factors in every quarter and shot 52.8% from behind the arc.
Memphis had 4 gamers with a plus-minus above 40. OKC was lacking starters Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey, and the remainder of the Thunder shot simply 32.9% from the sphere.
68 Factors – Cleveland Cavaliers 148, Miami Warmth 80 (Dec. 17, 1991)
Sure, the Cavs and Warmth had a historical past earlier than the LeBron James saga. No Cavalier scored greater than 18 factors, a mark reached by Mark Worth and John Battle. After main at halftime 73-53, Cleveland outscored Miami 75-27 within the second half, together with a 42-13 onslaught within the fourth quarter.
Miami had solely two gamers attain double figures (Steve Smith and Kevin Edwards), and Glen Rice was held to simply 9 factors. Cleveland, which shot 57.3% as a staff, ultimately beat the Boston Celtics within the East semifinals earlier than falling to the Bulls within the convention finals.
65 Factors – Indiana Pacers 124, Portland Path Blazers 59 (Feb. 27, 1998)
Most of those blowouts featured an offensive outburst by one staff. However this one is completely different. Portland by no means scored greater than 16 factors in a single quarter. The Pacers put up 124, however five-time All-Star and Corridor of Famer Reggie Miller solely had 11 factors (although he tied two different Pacers for the best plus-minus). Go determine. Mark Jackson was the staff’s main scorer with 18 factors, as Indiana had eight gamers attain double figures.
Regardless of the blowout, the Path Blazers completed the 1997-98 NBA season because the sixth seed within the Western Convention earlier than shedding to the Los Angeles Lakers in 4 video games within the first spherical of the playoffs. The Pacers reached the Japanese Convention finals earlier than falling to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in seven video games.
63 Factors – Los Angeles Lakers 162, Golden State Warriors 99 (March 19, 1972)
The Warriors entered this late-season matchup with a 49-30 report. They nonetheless received run out of The Discussion board. Gail Goodrich scored 30 factors on 11 of 17 taking pictures, Jim McMillian scored 22 and John Trapp scored 19. That 1971-72 Lakers staff went on to beat the Milwaukee Bucks within the Western Convention finals and the New York Knicks within the NBA Finals.
It had some guys named Jerry West, Pat Riley and four-time MVP Wilt Chamberlain. Maybe you’ve heard of them. The Warriors really outscored the Lakers 32-29 within the second quarter. Sadly for Golden State, it was outscored by the Lakers 133-67 throughout the different three quarters.
62 Factors – Golden State Warriors 153, Sacramento Kings 91 (Nov. 2, 1991)
In simply the second sport of the season, the Warriors and Kings set, on the time, the second-largest margin of victory in NBA historical past with Golden State’s 62-point drubbing of Sacramento (it could rapidly develop into the third-largest margin of victory in NBA historical past simply over a month later). Chris Mullin, top-of-the-line gamers in league historical past when it comes to pure taking pictures skill, led the best way with 32 factors, six assists and 7 rebounds.
The Kings completed 29-53 – final within the Pacific Division – whereas the Warriors went 55-27 and clinched the third seed within the Western Convention earlier than falling to the Seattle SuperSonics within the first spherical.
62 Factors – Syracuse Nationals 162, New York Knicks 100 (Dec. 25, 1960)
It was no merry Christmas for Knicks followers. Although the lowly Knicks, who completed with the worst report within the NBA that season, had two gamers end with 21 factors, they may not comprise the Nationals offense.
Ten gamers recorded minutes for Syracuse, and 9 of them scored in double digits. Dave Gambee and Corridor of Fame guard Hal Greer led the best way with 24 factors. The Nationals scored 39 factors in every of the primary two quarters, and 42 factors in every of the final two.
62 Factors – Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder 139, Portland Path Blazers 77 (Jan. 11, 2024)
The Remainder of the Record
61 Factors – Charlotte Hornets 140, Memphis Grizzlies 79; March 22, 2018
60 Factors – Miami Warmth 142, Portland Path Blazers 82; March 29, 2024
59 Factors – Los Angeles Clippers 126, Brooklyn Nets 67; Jan. 15, 2025
59 Factors – Milwaukee Bucks 143, Detroit Pistons 84; Dec. 26, 1978
59 Factors – Golden State Warriors 150, Indiana Pacers 91; March 19, 1977
58 Factors – Sacramento Kings 139, Dallas Mavericks 81; Dec. 29, 1992
58 Factors – Milwaukee Bucks 140, Sacramento Kings 82; Dec. 15, 1985
Analysis assist offered by Quinton Bonnell.
Get pleasure from this? Subscribe to our mailing checklist to obtain unique weekly content material.
