The NBA Playoffs have seen 30 games decided by 40 or more points, showcasing some of the largest postseason losses in history. These blowouts include 12 in the first round, 10 in the semifinals, seven in the conference finals, and one in the NBA Finals.
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30 games in NBA playoffs decided by 40 or more points
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 30 games decided by 40 or more points — 12 in the first round, 10 in the semifinals, seven in the conference finals, and one in the NBA Finals.
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.
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.