The 1985-86 New Jersey Nets finished their NBA season with a record of 39-43. Despite their losing record, the Nets secured a playoff spot by finishing fourth in the Atlantic Division. The team was led by standout performances from Otis Birdsong and Buck Williams, both of whom provided crucial scoring and rebounding throughout the season.
In the playoffs, the Nets faced the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. Unfortunately, they were unable to advance, as the Bucks swept the series 3-0. Despite their early exit, the season was a showcase of promising talent and potential, setting a foundation for future developments.
The coaching staff, led by Dave Wohl, focused on building a competitive roster around their core players. While the season had its challenges, the Nets’ ability to make the playoffs was a testament to their resilience and determination during the 1985-86 campaign.
- Regular Season Record: 39-43
- Playoff Result: Eastern Conference First Round: 0-3
New Jersey Nets 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% |
| Mike Gminski | 81 | 16.5 | 8.2 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 3 | 19.3 | 10.0 | 1.7 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| Buck Williams | 82 | 15.9 | 12.0 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 3 | 20.7 | 10.3 | 0.7 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| Otis Birdsong | 77 | 15.8 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 36.4 | 3 | 23.0 | 4.0 | 3.3 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Michael Ray Richardson | 47 | 15.7 | 5.3 | 7.2 | 2.7 | 0.2 | 14.8 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Darryl Dawkins | 51 | 15.3 | 4.9 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 1.2 | 0.0 | 1 | 10.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 |
| Albert King | 73 | 14.3 | 5.0 | 2.5 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 17.4 | 3 | 13.7 | 4.3 | 3.3 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 25.0 |
| Darwin Cook | 79 | 8.0 | 2.2 | 4.9 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 20.7 | 3 | 9.3 | 2.3 | 5.7 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
| Mickey Johnson | 79 | 7.8 | 4.2 | 2.7 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 20.8 | 3 | 5.7 | 3.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Kelvin Ransey | 79 | 7.4 | 1.5 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 0.1 | 12.5 | 3 | 9.0 | 2.3 | 4.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 33.3 |
| Ray Williams | 5 | 6.4 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Mike O'Koren | 67 | 5.2 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 25.9 | 2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Jeff Turner | 53 | 4.3 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Bobby Cattage | 29 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Rod Higgins | 2 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Yvon Joseph | 1 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
New Jersey Nets in the 1986 NBA Playoffs
Playoffs First Round vs. Milwaukee Bucks
In the 1986 NBA Playoffs, the New Jersey Nets faced a formidable challenge in the first round against the Milwaukee Bucks. Despite a strong effort from star player Buck Williams, the Nets were unable to overcome the Bucks' balanced attack and playoff experience, resulting in a swift three-game sweep in the best-of-five series. The series highlighted the Nets' struggles against top-tier talent, as they were outmatched in both depth and execution.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 18, 1986 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 119-107 | |
| Apr 20, 1986 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 111-97 | |
| Apr 22, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 118-113 |
New Jersey Nets 1985-86 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1985-86 season for the New Jersey Nets.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 25, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 113-109 | |
| Oct 26, 1985 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 119-92 | |
| Oct 29, 1985 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 124-107 | |
| Oct 30, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 147-138 | |
| Nov 01, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 106-102 | |
| Nov 02, 1985 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 136-113 | |
| Nov 05, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 112-106 | |
| Nov 07, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 106-97 | |
| Nov 09, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 126-123 | |
| Nov 11, 1985 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 111-104 | |
| Nov 14, 1985 | @ Houston Rockets | L 112-107 | |
| Nov 15, 1985 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 110-98 | |
| Nov 17, 1985 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 138-119 | |
| Nov 19, 1985 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | W 108-102 | |
| Nov 22, 1985 | @ Phoenix Suns | W 104-96 | |
| Nov 24, 1985 | @ Sacramento Kings | W 118-103 | |
| Nov 27, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 111-100 | |
| Nov 29, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 107-97 | |
| Nov 30, 1985 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 119-90 | |
| Dec 04, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 130-111 | |
| Dec 05, 1985 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 113-111 | |
| Dec 07, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 118-106 | |
| Dec 10, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 106-100 | |
| Dec 12, 1985 | @ New York Knicks | W 108-85 | |
| Dec 14, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 105-99 | |
| Dec 17, 1985 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 104-103 | |
| Dec 18, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 113-98 | |
| Dec 20, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 122-112 | |
| Dec 21, 1985 | @ Indiana Pacers | W 102-98 | |
| Dec 23, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 108-101 | |
| Dec 26, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 124-116 | |
| Dec 28, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 98-93 | |
| Dec 30, 1985 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 123-111 | |
| Jan 03, 1986 | @ Boston Celtics | L 129-117 | |
| Jan 04, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 125-106 | |
| Jan 07, 1986 | @ Chicago Bulls | W 110-105 | |
| Jan 08, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 106-99 | |
| Jan 10, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 125-120 | |
| Jan 14, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 123-105 | |
| Jan 15, 1986 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 123-89 | |
| Jan 17, 1986 | @ Washington Bullets | L 116-96 | |
| Jan 18, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 124-113 | |
| Jan 22, 1986 | @ Denver Nuggets | L 137-124 | |
| Jan 23, 1986 | @ Utah Jazz | W 106-105 | |
| Jan 25, 1986 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 106-99 | |
| Jan 27, 1986 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 103-98 | |
| Jan 28, 1986 | @ Golden State Warriors | W 117-113 | |
| Jan 30, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 89-82 | |
| Feb 01, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 108-100 | |
| Feb 04, 1986 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 117-101 | |
| Feb 05, 1986 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 142-107 | |
| Feb 11, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 130-122 | |
| Feb 13, 1986 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 135-117 | |
| Feb 15, 1986 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 112-94 | |
| Feb 17, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 126-124 | |
| Feb 19, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 99-96 | |
| Feb 21, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 121-106 | |
| Feb 22, 1986 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 112-83 | |
| Feb 24, 1986 | @ Washington Bullets | L 99-89 | |
| Feb 25, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 116-109 | |
| Feb 28, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 113-110 | |
| Mar 01, 1986 | @ New York Knicks | W 102-100 | |
| Mar 04, 1986 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 120-103 | |
| Mar 05, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 119-106 | |
| Mar 07, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 104-102 | |
| Mar 09, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 115-111 | |
| Mar 11, 1986 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 113-100 | |
| Mar 12, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 113-97 | |
| Mar 15, 1986 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | W 102-100 | |
| Mar 17, 1986 | @ Washington Bullets | W 130-102 | |
| Mar 18, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 107-103 | |
| Mar 22, 1986 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 123-115 | |
| Mar 25, 1986 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 118-105 | |
| Mar 26, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 110-108 | |
| Mar 28, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 118-107 | |
| Mar 30, 1986 | @ Boston Celtics | L 122-117 | |
| Apr 01, 1986 | @ New York Knicks | W 111-93 | |
| Apr 03, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | W 120-108 | |
| Apr 05, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 107-93 | |
| Apr 09, 1986 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 108-98 | |
| Apr 10, 1986 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 126-117 | |
| Apr 13, 1986 | @ Boston Celtics | L 135-107 |