Trail Blazers Become 1st Team in NBA History to Lose Multiple Games by 60-Plus Points

Doric SamJanuary 12, 2024

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

The Portland Trail Blazers reached a new low on Thursday, suffering a 139-77 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Remarkably, the 62-point loss was only the second-largest defeat in franchise history behind a 65-point loss to the Indiana Pacers in 1998, making the Blazers the only team in NBA history with multiple losses by over 60 points.

NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBAThe Blazers lost by 62 to the Thunder tonight.

They lost by 65 to the Pacers in 1998. pic.twitter.com/36FTXlVp0A

The brightest moment for the Blazers on Thursday was when they jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the opening minute of the game. The Thunder used an 18-0 run to take control of the contest and never looked back.

Oklahoma City held a 36-24 lead after the first quarter, but things would only get worse for Portland. The Thunder outscored the Blazers 39-15 in the second quarter and 43-17 in the third.

Six players scored in double figures for Oklahoma City, including all five starters. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with 31 points in 21 minutes of action.

The only players to score in double figures for Portland were Anfernee Simons (14 points) and Scoot Henderson (13), who continued a disappointing rookie season by shooting an abysmal 4-of-21 from the field and 1-of-9 from three-point range in the loss.

The 62-point margin tied for the fifth-largest victory in NBA history. Ironically, the Thunder were on the receiving end of the largest blowout, losing by 73 to the Memphis Grizzlies in 2021.

The loss dropped the Blazers to 10-26, and the team looks well on its way to missing the playoffs for a third straight year.

Portland will have to regroup quickly, as it will be back in action on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who lead the Western Conference with a 26-11 record.