Where Nets' 59-point loss ranks in NBA history

The Nets have seemingly fired up "the tank" for Cooper Flagg.

On Wednesday, the franchise trotted out a host of G Leaguers and rookies — with the obvious intention of falling further in the Eastern Conference standings. They accomplished the mission but did so emphatically, suffering a 126-67 drubbing at the hands of the Clippers.

The 59-point defeat was the eighth-largest margin of victory in NBA history and the biggest rout since the Blazers' 60-point loss to the Heat last season. Portland infamously suffered two 60-point losses in 2023-24, including a 62-point defeat to the Thunder, which ranks fourth all time.

The Grizzlies' 73-point win over the Thunder in 2021-22 remains the largest margin of victory, followed by the Cavaliers' 68-point win over the Heat in 1991-92, the Pacers' 65-point win over the Blazers in 1997-98 and the Lakers' 63-point drubbing of the Warriors in 1971-72.

On the flip side, the Nets' embarrassing loss on Wednesday gave the Clippers their biggest win in franchise history. As evidenced by the box score, the Nets remained competitive through the first quarter before mysteriously benching starting center Nic Claxton in favor of undrafted player Tosan Evbuomwan for most of the game.