The 1985-86 Los Angeles Lakers season saw the team aiming to defend their NBA championship title from the previous year. Under the leadership of head coach Pat Riley, the Lakers continued to showcase their fast-paced style of play, known as “Showtime,” characterized by quick transitions and high-flying offense. The roster featured Hall of Famers such as Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and James Worthy, forming a formidable core.
During the regular season, the Lakers finished with a record of 62-20, securing the top seed in the Western Conference. Magic Johnson had an outstanding season, leading the league in assists with an average of 12.6 per game, while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar continued to be a dominant force in the paint. James Worthy and Byron Scott provided crucial scoring support, making the Lakers a balanced and potent offensive threat.
In the playoffs, the Lakers swept the San Antonio Spurs in the first round and defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the conference semifinals. However, their campaign ended in disappointment when they faced the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Finals. The Lakers were defeated in five games, with Houston’s twin towers, Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson, proving to be too much to handle. The series was highlighted by Sampson’s improbable buzzer-beater in Game 5, sealing the Lakers’ fate.
Despite the setback, the 1985-86 season was another strong showing for the Lakers, maintaining their status as one of the premier teams in the NBA. Their playoff exit served as motivation for the subsequent seasons, as they sought to reclaim championship glory.
- Regular Season Record: 62-20
- Playoff Result: Western Conference First Round: 3-0, Western Conference Semifinals: 4-2, Western Conference Finals: 1-4
Los Angeles Lakers 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% |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 79 | 23.4 | 6.1 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.0 | 14 | 25.9 | 5.9 | 3.5 | 1.1 | 1.7 | 0.0 |
| James Worthy | 75 | 20.0 | 5.2 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 14 | 19.6 | 4.6 | 3.2 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| Magic Johnson | 72 | 18.8 | 5.9 | 12.5 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 23.8 | 14 | 21.6 | 7.1 | 15.1 | 1.9 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Byron Scott | 76 | 15.4 | 2.5 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 36.1 | 14 | 16.0 | 3.9 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 35.3 |
| Maurice Lucas | 77 | 10.2 | 7.4 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 50.0 | 14 | 9.4 | 6.5 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Michael Cooper | 82 | 9.2 | 3.0 | 5.7 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 38.7 | 14 | 9.7 | 3.3 | 4.9 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 46.3 |
| Mike McGee | 71 | 8.3 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 36.0 | 6 | 2.7 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Pétur Guðmundsson | 8 | 7.3 | 4.6 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 12 | 3.5 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| A.C. Green | 82 | 6.4 | 4.6 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 16.7 | 9 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Mitch Kupchak | 55 | 6.0 | 3.5 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 5 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Kurt Rambis | 74 | 5.5 | 7.0 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 14 | 4.8 | 5.9 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Larry Spriggs | 43 | 5.0 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 3 | 6.7 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Jerome Henderson | 1 | 4.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Chuck Nevitt | 4 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Ronnie Lester | 27 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Los Angeles Lakers in the 1986 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. San Antonio Spurs
In the 1986 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers, who were the top seed in the Western Conference, faced off against the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. The Lakers showcased their dominance by sweeping the Spurs in a best-of-five series, with Magic Johnson orchestrating the offense and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar anchoring the defense. This performance set the tone for their playoff run, highlighting their championship aspirations.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 1986 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 135-88 | |
| Apr 19, 1986 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 122-94 | |
| Apr 23, 1986 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 114-94 |
Playoffs Second Round vs. Dallas Mavericks
In the 1986 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers faced a surprising defeat in the second round against the Houston Rockets. Despite having a stellar regular season, the Lakers were unable to contain Houston's Twin Towers, Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson, falling in a dramatic five-game series. This loss was particularly shocking as the Lakers were expected to contend for the title, showcasing the unpredictability and intensity of playoff basketball.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 27, 1986 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 130-116 | |
| Apr 30, 1986 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 117-113 | |
| May 02, 1986 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 110-108 | |
| May 04, 1986 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 120-118 | |
| May 06, 1986 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 116-113 | |
| May 08, 1986 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 120-107 |
1986 Conference Championship vs. Houston Rockets
In the 1986 NBA Playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers reached the Western Conference Finals but were unexpectedly defeated by the Houston Rockets in five games. Despite having a roster featuring stars like Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Lakers struggled to contain the Rockets' formidable twin towers, Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson. The series is particularly remembered for Sampson's miraculous buzzer-beater in Game 5, which sealed the Lakers' fate and propelled the Rockets to the NBA Finals.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 10, 1986 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 119-107 | |
| May 13, 1986 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 112-102 | |
| May 16, 1986 | @ Houston Rockets | L 117-109 | |
| May 18, 1986 | @ Houston Rockets | L 105-95 | |
| May 21, 1986 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 114-112 |
Los Angeles Lakers 1985-86 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1985-86 season for the Los Angeles Lakers.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 26, 1985 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 121-116 | |
| Oct 29, 1985 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 133-115 | |
| Oct 31, 1985 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 144-107 | |
| Nov 02, 1985 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 120-116 | |
| Nov 05, 1985 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 129-111 | |
| Nov 07, 1985 | @ Utah Jazz | W 116-106 | |
| Nov 08, 1985 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W 128-99 | |
| Nov 12, 1985 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 119-110 | |
| Nov 14, 1985 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 114-102 | |
| Nov 15, 1985 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | W 127-96 | |
| Nov 17, 1985 | vs. New Jersey Nets | W 138-119 | |
| Nov 20, 1985 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 122-107 | |
| Nov 21, 1985 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 121-120 | |
| Nov 23, 1985 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 130-113 | |
| Nov 24, 1985 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 118-102 | |
| Nov 29, 1985 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-107 | |
| Dec 01, 1985 | vs. Chicago Bulls | W 117-113 | |
| Dec 04, 1985 | @ Utah Jazz | W 131-127 | |
| Dec 06, 1985 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 120-112 | |
| Dec 08, 1985 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 125-119 | |
| Dec 12, 1985 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 127-102 | |
| Dec 13, 1985 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 124-120 | |
| Dec 15, 1985 | vs. Detroit Pistons | W 132-119 | |
| Dec 17, 1985 | @ New York Knicks | W 105-99 | |
| Dec 18, 1985 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | W 107-105 | |
| Dec 20, 1985 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 128-116 | |
| Dec 21, 1985 | @ Washington Bullets | W 96-84 | |
| Dec 26, 1985 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 109-91 | |
| Dec 28, 1985 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 133-111 | |
| Dec 29, 1985 | vs. Golden State Warriors | L 130-122 | |
| Jan 03, 1986 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 110-101 | |
| Jan 05, 1986 | vs. Washington Bullets | W 118-88 | |
| Jan 08, 1986 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 125-121 | |
| Jan 10, 1986 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 124-102 | |
| Jan 11, 1986 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 105-99 | |
| Jan 14, 1986 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 143-122 | |
| Jan 16, 1986 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 112-96 | |
| Jan 19, 1986 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 118-115 | |
| Jan 20, 1986 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 133-118 | |
| Jan 22, 1986 | @ Boston Celtics | L 110-95 | |
| Jan 24, 1986 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 120-109 | |
| Jan 25, 1986 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 127-115 | |
| Jan 28, 1986 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 125-115 | |
| Jan 30, 1986 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 118-94 | |
| Jan 31, 1986 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | W 134-100 | |
| Feb 02, 1986 | vs. New York Knicks | L 103-96 | |
| Feb 04, 1986 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 110-102 | |
| Feb 06, 1986 | @ Houston Rockets | W 117-95 | |
| Feb 11, 1986 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 137-113 | |
| Feb 12, 1986 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 126-100 | |
| Feb 14, 1986 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 141-117 | |
| Feb 16, 1986 | vs. Boston Celtics | L 105-99 | |
| Feb 19, 1986 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 90-81 | |
| Feb 21, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 121-106 | |
| Feb 23, 1986 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 117-111 | |
| Feb 24, 1986 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 102-93 | |
| Feb 26, 1986 | @ Dallas Mavericks | W 119-116 | |
| Feb 28, 1986 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 115-103 | |
| Mar 01, 1986 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 123-106 | |
| Mar 03, 1986 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 127-117 | |
| Mar 05, 1986 | vs. Utah Jazz | W 130-84 | |
| Mar 06, 1986 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 112-111 | |
| Mar 08, 1986 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 122-121 | |
| Mar 09, 1986 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | W 108-106 | |
| Mar 11, 1986 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | W 129-108 | |
| Mar 13, 1986 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 105-92 | |
| Mar 16, 1986 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 116-111 | |
| Mar 18, 1986 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 128-122 | |
| Mar 19, 1986 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 115-114 | |
| Mar 21, 1986 | @ San Antonio Spurs | W 117-109 | |
| Mar 22, 1986 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 115-113 | |
| Mar 24, 1986 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 124-102 | |
| Mar 25, 1986 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 121-115 | |
| Mar 29, 1986 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 88-87 | |
| Mar 30, 1986 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 124-117 | |
| Apr 01, 1986 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | W 109-104 | |
| Apr 03, 1986 | vs. Sacramento Kings | W 135-105 | |
| Apr 06, 1986 | @ Houston Rockets | L 109-103 | |
| Apr 08, 1986 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 120-114 | |
| Apr 10, 1986 | vs. Houston Rockets | W 117-113 | |
| Apr 12, 1986 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 105-92 | |
| Apr 13, 1986 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | L 127-104 |