The 1986-87 Milwaukee Bucks, led by head coach Don Nelson, finished the NBA regular season with a strong record of 50-32. This performance secured them the second spot in the Central Division. Key contributors included Terry Cummings, who led the scoring, and Sidney Moncrief, a defensive stalwart for the team. Paul Pressey also played a pivotal role, showcasing his versatility and playmaking abilities.
In the playoffs, the Bucks advanced past the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round, winning the series 3-2. However, their postseason run was halted in the Eastern Conference Semifinals by the Boston Celtics, who defeated them in a tough seven-game series, 4-3. Despite the loss, the season was marked by competitive play and solid performances, keeping the Bucks as a consistent playoff presence during the 1980s.
- Regular Season Record: 50-32
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-2, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 3-4
Milwaukee Bucks 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% |
Terry Cummings | 82 | 20.8 | 8.5 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 12 | 22.3 | 7.9 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 0.0 |
Ricky Pierce | 79 | 19.5 | 3.4 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 10.7 | 12 | 15.9 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
John Lucas | 43 | 17.5 | 2.9 | 6.7 | 1.7 | 0.1 | 36.5 | 12 | 15.6 | 2.1 | 5.2 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 33.3 |
Paul Pressey | 61 | 13.9 | 4.9 | 7.1 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 29.1 | 12 | 14.3 | 5.2 | 8.6 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 12.5 |
Jack Sikma | 82 | 12.7 | 10.0 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.0 | 12 | 16.2 | 10.8 | 1.9 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
Sidney Moncrief | 39 | 11.8 | 3.3 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 25.8 | 12 | 19.4 | 4.5 | 3.0 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 28.6 |
Craig Hodges | 78 | 10.8 | 1.8 | 3.1 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 37.3 | 12 | 7.9 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 29.4 |
Randy Breuer | 76 | 7.9 | 4.6 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 12 | 3.3 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
Jerry Reynolds | 58 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 33.3 | 4 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Junior Bridgeman | 34 | 5.1 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 25.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Don Collins | 6 | 4.2 | 2.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Scott Skiles | 13 | 3.8 | 2.0 | 3.5 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 21.4 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Mike Glenn | 4 | 3.8 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Keith Smith | 42 | 3.3 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 33.3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Kenny Fields | 4 | 3.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Hank McDowell | 7 | 3.1 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Dudley Bradley | 68 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 26.0 | 12 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Cedric Henderson | 2 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Paul Mokeski | 62 | 2.4 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 12 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
Jerome Henderson | 6 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Marvin Webster | 15 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 100.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Chris Engler | 5 | 1.4 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |

Milwaukee Bucks in the 1987 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Philadelphia 76ers
In the first round of the 1987 NBA Playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks faced off against the Philadelphia 76ers. Displaying resilience and depth, the Bucks triumphed in a tightly contested five-game series, ultimately winning 3-2. Key performances by players like Sidney Moncrief helped the Bucks secure their spot in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
---|---|---|---|
Apr 24, 1987 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 107-104 | |
Apr 26, 1987 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 125-122 | |
Apr 29, 1987 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 121-120 | |
May 01, 1987 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 124-118 | |
May 03, 1987 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 102-89 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Boston Celtics
In the 1987 NBA Playoffs, the Milwaukee Bucks faced the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Despite a strong effort led by Sidney Moncrief and Terry Cummings, the Bucks were ultimately outmatched by the Celtics' depth and experience, resulting in a 4-3 series loss. The series was hard-fought, with the Bucks showcasing resilience, but Boston's star power, including Larry Bird's exceptional performances, proved too formidable to overcome.
Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
---|---|---|---|
May 05, 1987 | @ Boston Celtics | L 111-98 | |
May 06, 1987 | @ Boston Celtics | L 126-124 | |
May 08, 1987 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 126-121 | |
May 10, 1987 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 138-137 | |
May 13, 1987 | @ Boston Celtics | W 129-124 | |
May 15, 1987 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 121-111 | |
May 17, 1987 | @ Boston Celtics | L 119-113 |

Milwaukee Bucks 1986-87 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1986-87 season for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
---|---|---|---|
Oct 31, 1986 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 120-104 | |
Nov 01, 1986 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 111-105 | |
Nov 04, 1986 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 107-98 | |
Nov 05, 1986 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 107-101 | |
Nov 07, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 115-94 | |
Nov 08, 1986 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 103-89 | |
Nov 11, 1986 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 102-94 | |
Nov 12, 1986 | @ Boston Celtics | L 124-116 | |
Nov 14, 1986 | vs. New York Knicks | W 106-103 | |
Nov 15, 1986 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 104-103 | |
Nov 18, 1986 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 111-85 | |
Nov 20, 1986 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 116-105 | |
Nov 22, 1986 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 107-99 | |
Nov 23, 1986 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 127-117 | |
Nov 26, 1986 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 122-103 | |
Nov 28, 1986 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 120-99 | |
Nov 29, 1986 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 131-99 | |
Dec 02, 1986 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 95-88 | |
Dec 03, 1986 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 115-110 | |
Dec 05, 1986 | @ Washington Bullets | W 91-87 | |
Dec 10, 1986 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 116-93 | |
Dec 12, 1986 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 106-93 | |
Dec 13, 1986 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 113-90 | |
Dec 16, 1986 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 103-91 | |
Dec 18, 1986 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 104-95 | |
Dec 20, 1986 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 120-100 | |
Dec 23, 1986 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 110-108 | |
Dec 27, 1986 | @ New York Knicks | L 114-100 | |
Dec 29, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 122-117 | |
Dec 30, 1986 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 103-99 | |
Jan 02, 1987 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 91-84 | |
Jan 03, 1987 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 104-95 | |
Jan 06, 1987 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 124-112 | |
Jan 07, 1987 | @ Boston Celtics | L 119-92 | |
Jan 09, 1987 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 100-92 | |
Jan 11, 1987 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | L 103-91 | |
Jan 13, 1987 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 113-89 | |
Jan 15, 1987 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 130-91 | |
Jan 16, 1987 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 124-122 | |
Jan 18, 1987 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 100-91 | |
Jan 20, 1987 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 103-90 | |
Jan 21, 1987 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 111-107 | |
Jan 24, 1987 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 132-122 | |
Jan 26, 1987 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 114-94 | |
Jan 27, 1987 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 119-115 | |
Jan 29, 1987 | @ Houston Rockets | W 99-93 | |
Jan 30, 1987 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 133-117 | |
Feb 01, 1987 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 120-116 | |
Feb 03, 1987 | vs. New York Knicks | L 110-109 | |
Feb 05, 1987 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 120-105 | |
Feb 11, 1987 | @ New York Knicks | W 127-104 | |
Feb 12, 1987 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 106-104 | |
Feb 14, 1987 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 116-101 | |
Feb 16, 1987 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 128-124 | |
Feb 18, 1987 | @ Utah Jazz | W 113-109 | |
Feb 21, 1987 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 115-107 | |
Feb 22, 1987 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 124-120 | |
Feb 24, 1987 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 120-114 | |
Feb 28, 1987 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 107-104 | |
Mar 04, 1987 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 110-100 | |
Mar 06, 1987 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 124-123 | |
Mar 07, 1987 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 124-120 | |
Mar 09, 1987 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 118-110 | |
Mar 11, 1987 | @ Washington Bullets | W 115-107 | |
Mar 12, 1987 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 123-106 | |
Mar 14, 1987 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 111-104 | |
Mar 17, 1987 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 123-115 | |
Mar 18, 1987 | @ Boston Celtics | L 120-102 | |
Mar 20, 1987 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 114-97 | |
Mar 21, 1987 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 105-102 | |
Mar 24, 1987 | vs. New York Knicks | W 135-96 | |
Mar 25, 1987 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 125-108 | |
Mar 27, 1987 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 116-113 | |
Apr 01, 1987 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 104-92 | |
Apr 04, 1987 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 112-102 | |
Apr 05, 1987 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 125-107 | |
Apr 07, 1987 | @ Washington Bullets | W 95-94 | |
Apr 10, 1987 | @ New York Knicks | W 132-93 | |
Apr 11, 1987 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 121-93 | |
Apr 13, 1987 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 114-107 | |
Apr 15, 1987 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 128-95 | |
Apr 18, 1987 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 124-110 |