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The 'Most points in an NBA playoff loss' quiz

Created on May 7, 2025 | Total tries: 215 | Average Score: 45.3 out of 54 (84%) | Quiz FAQ

Through the first two games of the Cleveland Cavaliers series with the Indiana Pacers, Cavs star Donovan Mitchell has combined for 81 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds and five steals.

And yet -- the Pacers are heading back to Indianapolis with two wins in their pockets after Tyrese Haliburton missed a free throw, got his own rebound and drilled a three-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining to snatch the 120-119 win in Game 2.

Which brings us to today's quiz. Mitchell's 48 points were actually only the third-most he's scored in a playoff loss. With that being said, how many of the players to score at least 45 points in the NBA playoffs and still lose can you name in five minutes?

Good luck!

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Quiz Clue: Points / Team / Playoff Year | Created on May 7, 2025 | Total tries: 215 | Average Score: 45.3 out of 54 (84%) | Quiz FAQ

SCORE:
0/54

TIME:
5:00

63 / CHI / 1986

57 / UTAH / 2020

55 / POR / 2021

53 / DEN / 2023

51 / BOS / 2009

51 / CLE / 2018

51 / OKC / 2017

50 / LAL / 2006

50 / PHI / 1970

50 / CHI / 1989

50 / CLE / 2024

50 / DEN / 2020

49 / PHX / 2024

49 / CLE / 2009

49 / CHI / 1986

49 / CHI / 1990

49 / HOU / 1987

48 / BK / 2021

48 / CHI / 1990

48 / CLE / 2025

48 / PHX / 2005

48 / LAL / 1965

47 / LAL / 1961

47 / GSW / 2019

47 / MNL / 1952

47 / MEM / 2021

47 / OKC / 2017

47 / ATL / 1988

46 / PHW / 1961

46 / SFW / 1964

46 / PHI / 1966

46 / DAL / 2021

46 / GSW / 2019

46 / SA / 1978

46 / ORL / 2011

46 / PHI / 2001

46 / PHX / 1995

46 / CHI / 1991

46 / CHI / 1996

46 / NYK / 1984

46 / ORL / 2003

46 / OKC / 2018

45 / LAL / 1962

45 / SEA / 1976

45 / DAL / 2022

45 / GSW / 2019

45 / CLE / 2008

45 / ATL / 2016

45 / MEM / 2023

45 / HOU / 1995

45 / SYR / 1963

45 / POR / 2003

45 / LAL / 1965

45 / LAL / 1966

Tommy Fradenburg is a freelance writer and an alumni of UNC Chapel Hill currently based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He religiously follows his favorite teams The New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys (yes, he knows) as well as his alma mater the Tar Heels and West Ham United F.C. in the Premier League. See more of his work on Twitter @tommyfradenburg.

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