The 1986-87 Golden State Warriors season was a transitional period for the franchise, marked by significant changes in the roster and coaching staff. Under new head coach George Karl, the Warriors aimed to improve upon their previous season’s performance. The team finished the regular season with a record of 42-40, which was an improvement from their 30-52 record the previous year, and it was enough to secure a playoff berth as the seventh seed in the Western Conference.
Key players for the Warriors included Eric “Sleepy” Floyd and Chris Mullin. Floyd, known for his impressive scoring ability, led the team with an average of 18.8 points per game. Mullin, in his second NBA season, demonstrated his potential with a scoring average of 15.1 points per game, establishing himself as a core player for the Warriors’ future.
In the playoffs, the Warriors faced the Utah Jazz in the first round. Despite a valiant effort, they lost the series 3-2 in a tightly contested matchup. The series was notable for Sleepy Floyd’s extraordinary performance in Game 4, where he scored 51 points to stave off elimination temporarily. However, the Warriors ultimately fell short in Game 5, ending their playoff run.
The 1986-87 season laid the groundwork for future success. With a promising young roster and an improved record, the Warriors set the stage for the development of a competitive team in the subsequent seasons.
- Regular Season Record: 42-40
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 3-2, Western Conference Semifinals: 1-4
Golden State Warriors Roster and Stats for 1986-87 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Joe Barry Carroll | 81 | 21.2 | 7.3 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 10 | 18.9 | 6.5 | 1.9 | 1.4 | 2.5 | 0.0 |
| Sleepy Floyd | 82 | 18.8 | 3.3 | 10.3 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 38.6 | 10 | 21.4 | 3.0 | 10.2 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 46.4 |
| Purvis Short | 34 | 18.3 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 0.2 | 23.5 | 10 | 14.6 | 3.3 | 2.7 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Chris Mullin | 82 | 15.1 | 2.2 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 30.2 | 10 | 11.3 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 75.0 |
| Terry Teagle | 82 | 11.2 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 10 | 14.4 | 2.0 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Larry Smith | 80 | 8.8 | 11.5 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 10 | 10.3 | 13.7 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 |
| Rod Higgins | 73 | 8.6 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 17.6 | 10 | 4.3 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 100.0 |
| Greg Ballard | 82 | 7.1 | 4.1 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 37.5 | 10 | 5.9 | 4.0 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 40.0 |
| Ben McDonald | 63 | 5.6 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 12.5 | 5 | 0.4 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jerome Whitehead | 73 | 5.1 | 3.6 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 10 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Chris Washburn | 35 | 3.8 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 5 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Perry Moss | 64 | 3.6 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 7.1 | 8 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 100.0 |
| Clinton Smith | 41 | 3.1 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
| Kevin Henderson | 5 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |||||||
Golden State Warriors in the 1987 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Utah Jazz
In the first round of the 1987 NBA Playoffs, the Golden State Warriors, led by the dynamic duo of Eric u0022Sleepyu0022 Floyd and Chris Mullin, surprised many by defeating the Utah Jazz in a best-of-five series. The Warriors clinched the series 3-2, with Floyd setting a record-breaking performance in Game 4 by scoring 51 points, which included a remarkable 29 points in the fourth quarter alone. This upset victory showcased the Warriors' resilience and ability to perform under pressure, setting the stage for their spirited run to the Western Conference Semifinals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 1987 | @ Utah Jazz | L 99-85 | |
| Apr 25, 1987 | @ Utah Jazz | L 103-100 | |
| Apr 29, 1987 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 110-95 | |
| May 01, 1987 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 98-94 | |
| May 03, 1987 | @ Utah Jazz | W 118-113 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Los Angeles Lakers
In the 1987 NBA Playoffs, the Golden State Warriors faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round after a stunning first-round victory over the Utah Jazz. Despite a spirited performance, led by the dynamic duo of Sleepy Floyd and Chris Mullin, the Warriors were outmatched by the Showtime Lakers, who would eventually claim the championship that year. The Warriors were swept 4-0, but Sleepy Floyd's 51-point explosion in Game 4 remains a memorable highlight.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 05, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 125-116 | |
| May 07, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 116-101 | |
| May 09, 1987 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 133-108 | |
| May 10, 1987 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 129-121 | |
| May 12, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 118-106 |
Golden State Warriors 1986-87 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1986-87 season for the Golden State Warriors.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 1986 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 127-123 | |
| Nov 01, 1986 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 131-109 | |
| Nov 03, 1986 | vs. New York Knicks | W 104-95 | |
| Nov 05, 1986 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 102-92 | |
| Nov 07, 1986 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 115-114 | |
| Nov 11, 1986 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 126-108 | |
| Nov 13, 1986 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 112-104 | |
| Nov 15, 1986 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 127-121 | |
| Nov 18, 1986 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 111-85 | |
| Nov 19, 1986 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 112-104 | |
| Nov 21, 1986 | @ Boston Celtics | L 135-120 | |
| Nov 22, 1986 | @ New York Knicks | W 97-93 | |
| Nov 25, 1986 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 111-106 | |
| Nov 28, 1986 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 103-97 | |
| Nov 29, 1986 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 113-106 | |
| Dec 02, 1986 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 104-99 | |
| Dec 04, 1986 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 116-106 | |
| Dec 06, 1986 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 109-104 | |
| Dec 07, 1986 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 132-100 | |
| Dec 09, 1986 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 109-94 | |
| Dec 11, 1986 | @ Houston Rockets | W 111-104 | |
| Dec 13, 1986 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 117-102 | |
| Dec 16, 1986 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 119-117 | |
| Dec 18, 1986 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 128-110 | |
| Dec 20, 1986 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 128-112 | |
| Dec 21, 1986 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 121-112 | |
| Dec 23, 1986 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 112-111 | |
| Dec 26, 1986 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 121-106 | |
| Dec 27, 1986 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 119-108 | |
| Dec 29, 1986 | @ Washington Bullets | L 125-105 | |
| Dec 30, 1986 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 102-99 | |
| Jan 02, 1987 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 115-109 | |
| Jan 04, 1987 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 104-101 | |
| Jan 06, 1987 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 118-100 | |
| Jan 08, 1987 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 115-108 | |
| Jan 10, 1987 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 124-109 | |
| Jan 13, 1987 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 111-109 | |
| Jan 15, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 129-109 | |
| Jan 16, 1987 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 118-106 | |
| Jan 18, 1987 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 116-103 | |
| Jan 20, 1987 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 123-114 | |
| Jan 21, 1987 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 129-112 | |
| Jan 23, 1987 | @ Utah Jazz | L 123-100 | |
| Jan 27, 1987 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 119-115 | |
| Jan 28, 1987 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 131-104 | |
| Jan 30, 1987 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 127-119 | |
| Feb 01, 1987 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 150-147 | |
| Feb 03, 1987 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 111-103 | |
| Feb 05, 1987 | @ Houston Rockets | L 120-110 | |
| Feb 10, 1987 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 126-125 | |
| Feb 12, 1987 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 134-112 | |
| Feb 14, 1987 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 103-96 | |
| Feb 16, 1987 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 112-93 | |
| Feb 18, 1987 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 114-103 | |
| Feb 19, 1987 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 110-106 | |
| Feb 21, 1987 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 122-111 | |
| Feb 23, 1987 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 121-95 | |
| Feb 26, 1987 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 129-108 | |
| Feb 27, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 121-109 | |
| Mar 03, 1987 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 114-109 | |
| Mar 05, 1987 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 105-96 | |
| Mar 08, 1987 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 137-111 | |
| Mar 10, 1987 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 125-114 | |
| Mar 11, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 121-111 | |
| Mar 15, 1987 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 119-108 | |
| Mar 17, 1987 | @ Utah Jazz | L 118-103 | |
| Mar 19, 1987 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 125-124 | |
| Mar 21, 1987 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 105-102 | |
| Mar 25, 1987 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 127-115 | |
| Mar 27, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 106-105 | |
| Mar 28, 1987 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 116-110 | |
| Apr 02, 1987 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 132-96 | |
| Apr 03, 1987 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 136-116 | |
| Apr 05, 1987 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 120-119 | |
| Apr 07, 1987 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 129-126 | |
| Apr 09, 1987 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 125-100 | |
| Apr 11, 1987 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 124-118 | |
| Apr 12, 1987 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 109-107 | |
| Apr 14, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 117-108 | |
| Apr 15, 1987 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 119-116 | |
| Apr 18, 1987 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 132-127 | |
| Apr 19, 1987 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 105-85 |