The 1985-86 Milwaukee Bucks, led by head coach Don Nelson, finished the regular season with a 57-25 record, clinching the Central Division title. The team excelled with a balanced roster featuring star players like Sidney Moncrief and Terry Cummings. Moncrief, known for his defensive prowess, played a pivotal role, while Cummings contributed significantly on offense. The Bucks ranked among the top teams in both offensive and defensive efficiency, showcasing their two-way capabilities.
In the playoffs, Milwaukee advanced past the New Jersey Nets in the first round with a 3-0 sweep, demonstrating their dominance. However, their postseason run halted in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they faced the powerhouse Boston Celtics. The Bucks were defeated 4-0 by the eventual NBA champions, highlighting the gap between them and the league’s elite. Despite the playoff exit, the season was a testament to the Bucks’ competitive spirit and consistent performance.
- Regular Season Record: 57-25
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-0, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 4-3, Eastern Conference Finals: 0-4
Milwaukee Bucks 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% |
| Sidney Moncrief | 73 | 20.2 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 1.4 | 0.2 | 32.7 | 9 | 16.9 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 28.6 |
| Terry Cummings | 82 | 19.8 | 8.5 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 14 | 21.6 | 9.9 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 0.0 |
| Paul Pressey | 80 | 14.3 | 5.0 | 7.8 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 18.2 | 14 | 16.1 | 4.3 | 7.9 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 33.3 |
| Ricky Pierce | 81 | 13.9 | 2.9 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 13.6 | 13 | 11.1 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Craig Hodges | 66 | 10.8 | 1.8 | 3.5 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 45.3 | 14 | 13.5 | 1.8 | 4.5 | 2.3 | 0.1 | 45.2 |
| Alton Lister | 81 | 9.8 | 7.3 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 14 | 11.9 | 6.9 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 0.0 |
| Randy Breuer | 82 | 8.4 | 5.6 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 14 | 8.4 | 4.3 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.0 |
| Charles Davis | 57 | 7.7 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 12.5 | 12 | 5.0 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Kenny Fields | 78 | 6.4 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 12 | 7.4 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 33.3 |
| Jeff Lamp | 44 | 6.3 | 2.8 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 23.1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Mike Glenn | 38 | 6.2 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 10 | 3.6 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jerry Reynolds | 55 | 3.7 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 50.0 | 7 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Paul Mokeski | 45 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 14 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Bryan Warrick | 5 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 50.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Derrick Rowland | 2 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Earl Jones | 12 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Milwaukee Bucks in the 1986 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. New Jersey Nets
In the 1986 NBA Playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks faced the New Jersey Nets in the first round and demonstrated their dominance by sweeping the series 3-0. The Bucks were led by the stellar performances of Sidney Moncrief and Terry Cummings, whose scoring and defensive prowess helped them efficiently dispatch the Nets. This victory allowed the Bucks to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, showcasing their depth and playoff experience.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 18, 1986 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 119-107 | |
| Apr 20, 1986 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 111-97 | |
| Apr 22, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 118-113 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Philadelphia 76ers
In the 1986 NBA Playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks advanced to the second round where they faced the Philadelphia 76ers. The Bucks, led by Sidney Moncrief and Terry Cummings, showcased their defensive prowess and depth, defeating the 76ers in a hard-fought seven-game series. This victory propelled them to the Eastern Conference Finals, highlighting their resilience and tactical execution under coach Don Nelson.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 29, 1986 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 118-112 | |
| May 01, 1986 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 119-107 | |
| May 03, 1986 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 107-103 | |
| May 05, 1986 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 109-104 | |
| May 07, 1986 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 113-108 | |
| May 09, 1986 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 126-108 | |
| May 11, 1986 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 113-112 |
1986 Conference Championship vs. Boston Celtics
In the 1986 NBA Playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks reached the Eastern Conference Finals but were overpowered by the Boston Celtics, losing the series 4-0. Despite a strong performance throughout the season, the Bucks couldn't match the Celtics' depth and star power, led by Larry Bird. This marked the Bucks' third consecutive conference finals appearance, yet they were unable to break through to the NBA Finals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 13, 1986 | @ Boston Celtics | L 128-96 | |
| May 15, 1986 | @ Boston Celtics | L 122-111 | |
| May 17, 1986 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 111-107 | |
| May 18, 1986 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 111-98 |
Milwaukee Bucks 1985-86 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1985-86 season for the Milwaukee Bucks.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 25, 1985 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 118-116 | |
| Oct 26, 1985 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 117-91 | |
| Oct 29, 1985 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 119-117 | |
| Oct 30, 1985 | @ Boston Celtics | L 117-106 | |
| Nov 02, 1985 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 136-113 | |
| Nov 03, 1985 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 120-110 | |
| Nov 05, 1985 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 126-97 | |
| Nov 07, 1985 | @ New York Knicks | W 92-88 | |
| Nov 09, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 126-123 | |
| Nov 10, 1985 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 105-97 | |
| Nov 12, 1985 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 132-103 | |
| Nov 13, 1985 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 137-118 | |
| Nov 15, 1985 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 118-103 | |
| Nov 17, 1985 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 117-104 | |
| Nov 20, 1985 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 116-106 | |
| Nov 21, 1985 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 131-97 | |
| Nov 23, 1985 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 116-112 | |
| Nov 24, 1985 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 140-138 | |
| Nov 27, 1985 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 114-96 | |
| Nov 29, 1985 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 111-102 | |
| Nov 30, 1985 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 111-94 | |
| Dec 03, 1985 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 112-109 | |
| Dec 05, 1985 | @ New York Knicks | W 105-95 | |
| Dec 06, 1985 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 94-93 | |
| Dec 10, 1985 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 117-98 | |
| Dec 12, 1985 | @ Washington Bullets | L 110-108 | |
| Dec 13, 1985 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 128-124 | |
| Dec 15, 1985 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 140-82 | |
| Dec 18, 1985 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | L 107-105 | |
| Dec 20, 1985 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 114-102 | |
| Dec 21, 1985 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 132-107 | |
| Dec 26, 1985 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 105-87 | |
| Dec 28, 1985 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 114-112 | |
| Dec 30, 1985 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 121-110 | |
| Jan 03, 1986 | @ Washington Bullets | W 107-100 | |
| Jan 04, 1986 | vs. New York Knicks | W 119-86 | |
| Jan 07, 1986 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 110-101 | |
| Jan 08, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 106-99 | |
| Jan 10, 1986 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 95-89 | |
| Jan 13, 1986 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 119-115 | |
| Jan 16, 1986 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 114-98 | |
| Jan 19, 1986 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 122-109 | |
| Jan 20, 1986 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 101-98 | |
| Jan 24, 1986 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 117-92 | |
| Jan 25, 1986 | @ New York Knicks | W 104-88 | |
| Jan 27, 1986 | @ Utah Jazz | W 127-103 | |
| Jan 28, 1986 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 125-115 | |
| Jan 30, 1986 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 120-108 | |
| Feb 01, 1986 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 116-113 | |
| Feb 04, 1986 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 112-93 | |
| Feb 06, 1986 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 117-97 | |
| Feb 12, 1986 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 103-97 | |
| Feb 13, 1986 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 113-106 | |
| Feb 15, 1986 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 112-94 | |
| Feb 17, 1986 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 111-106 | |
| Feb 19, 1986 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 124-107 | |
| Feb 20, 1986 | @ Houston Rockets | W 120-113 | |
| Feb 22, 1986 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 120-115 | |
| Feb 25, 1986 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 114-99 | |
| Feb 28, 1986 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 102-84 | |
| Mar 02, 1986 | @ Washington Bullets | L 125-104 | |
| Mar 03, 1986 | vs. New York Knicks | W 115-108 | |
| Mar 05, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 119-106 | |
| Mar 07, 1986 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 125-95 | |
| Mar 08, 1986 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 111-109 | |
| Mar 12, 1986 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L 127-126 | |
| Mar 14, 1986 | vs. Indiana Pacers | L 114-104 | |
| Mar 15, 1986 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 125-116 | |
| Mar 18, 1986 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 116-87 | |
| Mar 20, 1986 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 116-106 | |
| Mar 22, 1986 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 113-98 | |
| Mar 25, 1986 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 118-105 | |
| Mar 26, 1986 | @ Boston Celtics | L 121-115 | |
| Mar 28, 1986 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 116-94 | |
| Mar 29, 1986 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 130-121 | |
| Apr 01, 1986 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 116-107 | |
| Apr 03, 1986 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 114-93 | |
| Apr 04, 1986 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 115-108 | |
| Apr 07, 1986 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 107-101 | |
| Apr 08, 1986 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 126-114 | |
| Apr 10, 1986 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 102-101 | |
| Apr 12, 1986 | vs. New York Knicks | W 116-78 |