Last season the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns were going toe-to-toe in the NBA Finals. At the start of this year’s playoffs, it appeared the two were destined to meet again in a rematch. However, the Bucks and Suns both had their playoff runs end Sunday in two surprising Game 7 blowout losses.
Despite a gallant effort from its star Giannis Antetokounmpo – 25 points, 20 rebounds and nine assists – the Bucks were crushed 109-81 by the Boston Celtics inside Boston’s TD Garden.
Meanwhile, the nightcap of Sunday’s Game 7 doubleheader delivered the more shocking result of the day. Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks steamrolled the NBA’s top seed Suns 123-90 on the road.
The two Sunday results ranked among the biggest Game 7 blowouts in NBA history.
| Year | Team | Opponent | Final | Margin |
| 2005 First Round | Dallas Mavericks | Houston Rockets | 116-76 | 40 |
| 1948 Semifinals | Philadelphia Warriors | St. Louis Bombers | 85-46 | 39 |
| 1970 Div. Semifinals | Los Angeles Lakers | Phoenix Suns | 129-94 | 35 |
| 2008 First Round | Boston Celtics | Atlanta Hawks | 99-65 | 34 |
| 2022 Conference Semifinals | Dallas Mavericks | Phoenix Suns | 129-90 | 33 |
| 2016 First Round | Miami Heat | Charlotte Hornets | 106-73 | 33 |
| 2006 First Round | Phoenix Suns | Los Angeles Lakers | 121-90 | 31 |
| 1992 Conference Semifinals | Chicago Bulls | New York Knicks | 110-81 | 29 |
| 2022 Conference Semifinals | Boston Celtics | Milwaukee Bucks | 109-81 | 28 |
| 2016 Conference Semifinals | Toronto Raptors | Miami Heat | 116-89 | 27 |
| 2005 First Round | Indiana Pacers | Boston Celtics | 97-70 | 27 |
Boston is now headed to the Eastern Conference Finals to face the East’s top seed, the Miami Heat. Dallas will face the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals with their eyes set on a trip to the NBA Finals.
Milwaukee and Phoenix both are left to rewind and reflect on their respective historic drubbings. It’s certainly not the way either team expected their seasons to end.
