The 1985-86 Atlanta Hawks had a standout season, finishing with a 50-32 record that secured them second place in the Central Division. Under the guidance of head coach Mike Fratello, the team demonstrated strong performance, both offensively and defensively.
Dominique Wilkins was the centerpiece of the Hawks’ success, leading the NBA in scoring with an average of 30.3 points per game. His stellar play earned him a spot on the All-NBA First Team. The Hawks also benefited from the contributions of key players like Doc Rivers, Kevin Willis, and Tree Rollins.
In the playoffs, the Hawks advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals but were eliminated by the Boston Celtics in a hard-fought five-game series. Despite the playoff exit, the season marked a period of growth and promise for the Hawks, setting the stage for continued success in the late 1980s.
- Regular Season Record: 50-32
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 3-1, Eastern Conference Semifinals: 1-4
Atlanta Hawks 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% |
| Dominique Wilkins | 78 | 30.3 | 7.9 | 2.6 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 18.6 | 9 | 28.6 | 6.0 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 20.0 |
| Randy Wittman | 81 | 12.9 | 2.1 | 3.8 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 31.2 | 9 | 17.8 | 2.7 | 3.3 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Kevin Willis | 82 | 12.3 | 8.6 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 9 | 13.9 | 7.2 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.0 |
| Doc Rivers | 53 | 11.5 | 3.1 | 8.4 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 9 | 12.7 | 4.7 | 8.7 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 50.0 |
| Eddie Johnson | 39 | 10.1 | 1.9 | 5.6 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 25.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Cliff Levingston | 81 | 9.3 | 6.6 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 9 | 5.8 | 4.6 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 100.0 |
| Ray Williams | 19 | 8.4 | 2.4 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 0.1 | 36.4 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jon Koncak | 82 | 8.3 | 5.7 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 9 | 6.0 | 3.8 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.0 |
| Spud Webb | 79 | 7.8 | 1.6 | 4.3 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 18.2 | 9 | 12.2 | 3.4 | 7.2 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Antoine Carr | 17 | 6.8 | 3.1 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tree Rollins | 74 | 5.6 | 6.2 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 9 | 6.6 | 8.7 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 1.7 | 0.0 |
| Johnny Davis | 27 | 5.3 | 0.7 | 4.1 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 49.9 | 8 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| John Battle | 64 | 4.3 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Lorenzo Charles | 36 | 3.4 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 4 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Scott Hastings | 62 | 3.1 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 75.0 | 9 | 3.1 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 25.0 |
| Sedric Toney | 3 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Atlanta Hawks in the 1986 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Detroit Pistons
In the 1986 NBA Playoffs, the Atlanta Hawks faced the Detroit Pistons in the first round, showcasing a thrilling matchup between two Eastern Conference contenders. The Hawks, led by Dominique Wilkins, battled fiercely but ultimately fell short, losing the series 3-1. Despite their exit, Wilkins' explosive scoring and the team's competitive spirit were highlights in a hard-fought series against a rising Pistons squad.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 1986 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 140-122 | |
| Apr 19, 1986 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 137-125 | |
| Apr 22, 1986 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 106-97 | |
| Apr 25, 1986 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 114-113 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Boston Celtics
In the 1986 NBA Playoffs, the Atlanta Hawks advanced to the second round, facing off against the Boston Celtics. Despite a valiant effort by Dominique Wilkins and his squad, the Hawks were overpowered by the Celtics' depth and experience, resulting in a 4-1 series defeat. The Celtics, led by Larry Bird, ultimately showcased why they were the reigning champions, leaving the Hawks to regroup and build for future success.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 27, 1986 | @ Boston Celtics | L 103-91 | |
| Apr 29, 1986 | @ Boston Celtics | L 119-108 | |
| May 02, 1986 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 111-107 | |
| May 04, 1986 | vs. Boston Celtics | W 106-94 | |
| May 06, 1986 | @ Boston Celtics | L 132-99 |
Atlanta Hawks 1985-86 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1985-86 season for the Atlanta Hawks.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 25, 1985 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 100-91 | |
| Oct 26, 1985 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 117-91 | |
| Oct 29, 1985 | vs. New York Knicks | W 102-87 | |
| Nov 01, 1985 | @ Boston Celtics | L 109-105 | |
| Nov 02, 1985 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 114-113 | |
| Nov 05, 1985 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 128-113 | |
| Nov 06, 1985 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 114-106 | |
| Nov 08, 1985 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 130-119 | |
| Nov 09, 1985 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 97-94 | |
| Nov 13, 1985 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 108-101 | |
| Nov 15, 1985 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 122-118 | |
| Nov 16, 1985 | @ New York Knicks | L 103-96 | |
| Nov 20, 1985 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 116-101 | |
| Nov 23, 1985 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 116-106 | |
| Nov 24, 1985 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 98-90 | |
| Nov 26, 1985 | vs. New York Knicks | W 104-94 | |
| Nov 27, 1985 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 114-96 | |
| Nov 29, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 107-97 | |
| Nov 30, 1985 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 102-97 | |
| Dec 04, 1985 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 109-98 | |
| Dec 06, 1985 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 94-93 | |
| Dec 10, 1985 | @ Boston Celtics | L 114-110 | |
| Dec 11, 1985 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 105-97 | |
| Dec 13, 1985 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 109-89 | |
| Dec 14, 1985 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 107-103 | |
| Dec 17, 1985 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 104-103 | |
| Dec 19, 1985 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 120-108 | |
| Dec 21, 1985 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 123-122 | |
| Dec 27, 1985 | @ Washington Bullets | L 111-109 | |
| Dec 28, 1985 | @ New York Knicks | W 100-80 | |
| Jan 03, 1986 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 111-101 | |
| Jan 04, 1986 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 111-100 | |
| Jan 07, 1986 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 117-103 | |
| Jan 09, 1986 | @ Detroit Pistons | W 110-99 | |
| Jan 10, 1986 | @ Boston Celtics | L 115-108 | |
| Jan 14, 1986 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 115-104 | |
| Jan 16, 1986 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 116-99 | |
| Jan 18, 1986 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 125-122 | |
| Jan 20, 1986 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 101-98 | |
| Jan 22, 1986 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 131-100 | |
| Jan 24, 1986 | vs. New York Knicks | W 117-100 | |
| Jan 25, 1986 | @ Washington Bullets | L 111-103 | |
| Jan 28, 1986 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 123-92 | |
| Jan 29, 1986 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 107-94 | |
| Jan 31, 1986 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 116-103 | |
| Feb 01, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 108-100 | |
| Feb 04, 1986 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 105-104 | |
| Feb 06, 1986 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 100-85 | |
| Feb 11, 1986 | @ Houston Rockets | L 113-100 | |
| Feb 13, 1986 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 123-114 | |
| Feb 14, 1986 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 141-117 | |
| Feb 16, 1986 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 110-101 | |
| Feb 17, 1986 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 100-87 | |
| Feb 19, 1986 | @ Utah Jazz | L 109-105 | |
| Feb 21, 1986 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 106-98 | |
| Feb 22, 1986 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 112-83 | |
| Feb 24, 1986 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 102-93 | |
| Feb 26, 1986 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 129-109 | |
| Feb 28, 1986 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 115-103 | |
| Mar 01, 1986 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 116-108 | |
| Mar 04, 1986 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 128-121 | |
| Mar 05, 1986 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 122-114 | |
| Mar 07, 1986 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 112-108 | |
| Mar 08, 1986 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 111-109 | |
| Mar 11, 1986 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 128-116 | |
| Mar 12, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 113-97 | |
| Mar 14, 1986 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 121-114 | |
| Mar 15, 1986 | @ New York Knicks | W 106-101 | |
| Mar 17, 1986 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 106-96 | |
| Mar 19, 1986 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 115-112 | |
| Mar 21, 1986 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 107-103 | |
| Mar 22, 1986 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 113-98 | |
| Mar 25, 1986 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 97-91 | |
| Mar 26, 1986 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 112-103 | |
| Mar 28, 1986 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 100-92 | |
| Mar 29, 1986 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 123-105 | |
| Apr 01, 1986 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 107-91 | |
| Apr 04, 1986 | @ Washington Bullets | L 135-129 | |
| Apr 05, 1986 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 102-97 | |
| Apr 08, 1986 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 131-118 | |
| Apr 10, 1986 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 126-117 | |
| Apr 12, 1986 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 108-91 |