Most Points Given Up in a Game by Every NBA Team

Every NBA franchise has had at least one night when its defense was overwhelmed. This page lists the most points each of the NBA's 30 current franchises has ever allowed in a single game.

The records follow the history of the franchise rather than only its current city or nickname. For example, the Houston Rockets' record occurred when the franchise was still known as the San Diego Rockets, while Oklahoma City's record occurred during the Seattle SuperSonics era.

Historical franchise identities are noted in the table where they help explain an older record. The original NBAHoopsOnline data has been retained while incorrect or outdated information has been cleaned up.

Several franchise records on this page have changed during the high-scoring modern NBA era.

Charlotte Hornets - 2025-26: Charlotte allowed 147 points in a 147-134 overtime loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on November 14, 2025.

Memphis Grizzlies - 2025-26: Utah scored 147 points against Memphis in a 147-101 Jazz victory on April 10, 2026.

Miami Heat - 2025-26: Cleveland scored 149 points against Miami during the 2025-26 season.

Minnesota Timberwolves - 2025-26: The Timberwolves allowed a franchise-record 153 points to the Los Angeles Clippers.

New Orleans Pelicans - 2025-26: Minnesota defeated New Orleans 149-142 in overtime on December 2, 2025.

Portland Trail Blazers - 2025-26: Denver scored 157 points in a 157-103 victory at Portland on February 20, 2026.

Toronto Raptors - 2024-25: Memphis scored 155 points against Toronto, setting the Raptors' franchise record for points allowed.

Washington Wizards - 2024-25: Indiana scored 162 points against Washington, establishing the Wizards' franchise high for points allowed.

Denver and Detroit - 1983: The most famous game on this page is Detroit's 186-184 triple-overtime victory over Denver on December 13, 1983. Denver's 186 points allowed and Detroit's 184 points allowed both remain franchise records.

The teams combined for 370 points, making it the highest-scoring game in NBA history.

Clippers and Kings - 2023: Sacramento defeated the Clippers 176-175 in double overtime on February 24, 2023. The game established the points-allowed record for both franchises.

Atlanta and Chicago - 2019: Chicago defeated Atlanta 168-161 in four overtimes on March 1, 2019. Atlanta allowed 168 points, while Chicago allowed 161 despite winning the game.

Houston Rockets: The Rockets' franchise record dates all the way back to their San Diego years. The Cincinnati Royals defeated the San Diego Rockets 165-151 on March 12, 1970.

Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder franchise record occurred before the team moved to Oklahoma City. Denver scored 168 against the Seattle SuperSonics during the 2007-08 season.

Brooklyn Nets: The franchise record occurred when the team was still the New Jersey Nets. Phoenix defeated New Jersey 161-157 in double overtime during the 2006-07 season.

Golden State Warriors: Golden State's franchise record dates to the San Francisco Warriors era, when Syracuse scored 163 points during the 1962-63 season.

Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers' record was established while the franchise was still located in Minneapolis. Boston scored 173 points against the Lakers during the 1958-59 season.

Allowing a franchise-record number of points does not always mean losing the game. Several teams on this list surrendered their franchise high and still managed to win.

Chicago Bulls: Allowed 161 points but defeated Atlanta 168-161 in four overtimes.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Allowed 153 points but defeated the Lakers 154-153 in four overtimes.

Dallas Mavericks: Allowed 147 points but beat Houston 156-147 in double overtime.

Detroit Pistons: Allowed 184 points while defeating Denver 186-184 in triple overtime.

Sacramento Kings: Allowed 175 points but defeated the Clippers 176-175 in double overtime.

San Antonio Spurs: Allowed 166 points while defeating Milwaukee 171-166.

Overtime plays a major role in many of these franchise records. The Atlanta-Chicago record game lasted four overtimes, the Denver-Detroit game lasted three, and the Nets-Suns, Mavericks-Rockets and Clippers-Kings games all went to double overtime.

However, overtime is not required to produce a franchise record. Houston's 165 points allowed to Cincinnati in 1970, the Lakers' 173 allowed to Boston in 1959 and Portland's 157 allowed to Denver in 2026 all came in regulation.

The "team" column represents the NBA's current franchise. When a record occurred under an earlier city or nickname, that historical team name is shown beneath the current franchise name.

The points total represents the most points the franchise has allowed in one NBA game. The table includes both regular-season and playoff games where applicable.

The final score is shown with the winning team's score first, regardless of whether the franchise listed in the first column won or lost. The result column shows the outcome from the perspective of the franchise whose record is being listed.

Franchise continuity follows NBA historical records. Relocations such as the San Diego Rockets to Houston and Seattle SuperSonics to Oklahoma City therefore remain part of the same franchise record book.

NBA franchise records can change whenever a team allows a new record point total. If you notice a newer game that should replace one of these records, find an incorrect score or opponent, or have additional historical information that would improve this page, please let me know.

When sending an update, please include the team, opponent, date, final score and any supporting box score or reliable source you have available.

Send corrections, additions and updates to:
Rednecksbasketball@yahoo.com

Submissions will be reviewed before changes are made to the NBAHoopsOnline historical records.