The 1985-86 NBA season for the Golden State Warriors was a challenging one, as the team struggled to make a significant impact in the league. Under the guidance of head coach George Karl, the Warriors finished the regular season with a record of 30-52, failing to secure a playoff berth. This performance placed them 5th in the Pacific Division and 9th in the Western Conference standings. Despite the overall team struggles, the season was marked by individual achievements and the emergence of key players.
One of the standout performers for the Warriors was Purvis Short, who consistently delivered strong offensive performances. Short averaged 28.0 points per game, demonstrating his scoring prowess and solidifying his role as a key offensive weapon for the team. Additionally, Joe Barry Carroll contributed significantly, averaging 21.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, providing a strong presence in the frontcourt.
The Warriors faced defensive challenges throughout the season, which significantly impacted their ability to compete with stronger teams. The lack of defensive intensity and consistency was a major factor in their subpar record. The 1985-86 season also marked the end of a short coaching stint for George Karl, who would go on to achieve greater success in his future coaching endeavors. Despite the disappointing season, the Warriors laid the groundwork for future improvements and adjustments in their quest to build a more competitive team in the following years.
- Regular Season Record: 30-52
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
Golden State Warriors Roster and Stats for 1985-86 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Purvis Short | 64 | 25.5 | 5.1 | 3.7 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 30.6 | |||||||
| Joe Barry Carroll | 79 | 21.2 | 8.5 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Sleepy Floyd | 82 | 17.2 | 3.6 | 9.1 | 1.9 | 0.2 | 32.8 | |||||||
| Terry Teagle | 82 | 14.2 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 16.0 | |||||||
| Chris Mullin | 55 | 14.0 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 18.5 | |||||||
| Larry Smith | 77 | 9.6 | 11.1 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Greg Ballard | 75 | 8.8 | 5.6 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 48.6 | |||||||
| Peter Thibeaux | 42 | 5.5 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 40.0 | |||||||
| Geoff Huston | 82 | 4.2 | 0.8 | 4.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 33.3 | |||||||
| Lester Conner | 36 | 4.0 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 28.6 | |||||||
| Jerome Whitehead | 81 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Pete Verhoeven | 61 | 3.4 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 50.0 | |||||||
| Guy Williams | 5 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Ron Crevier | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Golden State Warriors 1985-86 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1985-86 season for the Golden State Warriors.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 25, 1985 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 119-105 | |
| Oct 27, 1985 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 116-99 | |
| Oct 29, 1985 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 111-105 | |
| Oct 31, 1985 | vs. New York Knicks | W 111-104 | |
| Nov 02, 1985 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 120-116 | |
| Nov 05, 1985 | @ Utah Jazz | L 118-99 | |
| Nov 06, 1985 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 105-101 | |
| Nov 08, 1985 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 130-119 | |
| Nov 10, 1985 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 117-111 | |
| Nov 12, 1985 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 127-115 | |
| Nov 14, 1985 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 112-103 | |
| Nov 16, 1985 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 118-105 | |
| Nov 19, 1985 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 110-104 | |
| Nov 20, 1985 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 117-113 | |
| Nov 22, 1985 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 115-96 | |
| Nov 23, 1985 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 135-108 | |
| Nov 26, 1985 | @ Houston Rockets | L 130-108 | |
| Nov 27, 1985 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 104-102 | |
| Nov 30, 1985 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 89-88 | |
| Dec 02, 1985 | @ Utah Jazz | L 103-100 | |
| Dec 03, 1985 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 107-100 | |
| Dec 05, 1985 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 121-104 | |
| Dec 07, 1985 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 120-110 | |
| Dec 08, 1985 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 121-114 | |
| Dec 10, 1985 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 94-92 | |
| Dec 11, 1985 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 123-113 | |
| Dec 13, 1985 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 127-124 | |
| Dec 15, 1985 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 112-105 | |
| Dec 17, 1985 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 122-114 | |
| Dec 18, 1985 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 103-99 | |
| Dec 21, 1985 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 115-98 | |
| Dec 26, 1985 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 131-121 | |
| Dec 27, 1985 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 114-102 | |
| Dec 29, 1985 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | W 130-122 | |
| Jan 02, 1986 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 120-115 | |
| Jan 04, 1986 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | L 122-116 | |
| Jan 05, 1986 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 136-120 | |
| Jan 07, 1986 | @ Houston Rockets | L 124-115 | |
| Jan 10, 1986 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 124-97 | |
| Jan 11, 1986 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 127-123 | |
| Jan 13, 1986 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 119-108 | |
| Jan 15, 1986 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 150-104 | |
| Jan 17, 1986 | vs. Sacramento Kings | L 125-111 | |
| Jan 19, 1986 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 122-109 | |
| Jan 21, 1986 | @ New York Knicks | L 121-114 | |
| Jan 22, 1986 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 131-100 | |
| Jan 24, 1986 | @ Boston Celtics | L 135-114 | |
| Jan 25, 1986 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 124-101 | |
| Jan 28, 1986 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 117-113 | |
| Jan 30, 1986 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 120-108 | |
| Feb 01, 1986 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 125-121 | |
| Feb 04, 1986 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 127-118 | |
| Feb 11, 1986 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 137-113 | |
| Feb 13, 1986 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 109-105 | |
| Feb 15, 1986 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 113-100 | |
| Feb 17, 1986 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 116-110 | |
| Feb 19, 1986 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 115-100 | |
| Feb 21, 1986 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 125-123 | |
| Feb 23, 1986 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 127-124 | |
| Feb 25, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 116-109 | |
| Feb 27, 1986 | @ Washington Bullets | L 114-102 | |
| Mar 01, 1986 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 119-110 | |
| Mar 03, 1986 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 127-117 | |
| Mar 04, 1986 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 129-126 | |
| Mar 06, 1986 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 112-111 | |
| Mar 08, 1986 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 138-128 | |
| Mar 10, 1986 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 111-108 | |
| Mar 12, 1986 | @ Utah Jazz | W 118-111 | |
| Mar 16, 1986 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 130-112 | |
| Mar 18, 1986 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 126-122 | |
| Mar 20, 1986 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 116-104 | |
| Mar 23, 1986 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 113-111 | |
| Mar 25, 1986 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 125-121 | |
| Mar 27, 1986 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 121-118 | |
| Mar 29, 1986 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 130-129 | |
| Mar 30, 1986 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 124-117 | |
| Apr 01, 1986 | @ Houston Rockets | L 125-121 | |
| Apr 02, 1986 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 110-101 | |
| Apr 05, 1986 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 107-106 | |
| Apr 08, 1986 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 129-115 | |
| Apr 11, 1986 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 131-130 | |
| Apr 12, 1986 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 121-101 |