1985–86 Philadelphia 76ers season

NBA professional basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Philadelphia 76ers 1986 54 28 Atlantic 2 3 Matt Guokas Pat Williams The Spectrum WPHL-TVPRISM WIP Conference semifinals(lost to Bucks 3–4) PHI The 1985–86 Philadelphia 76ers season was the 76ers 37th season in the NBA and 23rd season in Philadelphia. After a slow 12-12 start to the season, the Sixers would go 42-16 the rest of the way to end the regular season with a 54–28 record. In the first round off the playoffs they would beat the Washington Bullets in five games, but then lost a tough seven-game series to the Milwaukee Bucks, a team that the Sixers had beaten in the playoffs in 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1985. This would be the last season for Bobby Jones, who would retire, and the last season for Moses Malone in a Philadelphia uniform, who was dealt away in the Summer of 1986. Due to an eye injury sustained towards the end of the regular season, Malone did not participate in the 1986 NBA playoffs. Andrew Toney only played in six regular season games due to a foot injury and never was able to make it back to his previous All-Star form. The team also added forward/center Bob McAdoo, who won 2 championships with the Lakers in 1982 and 1985. Draft picks 1985 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 21 Terry Catledge PF United States South Alabama 2 33 Greg Stokes PF/C United States Iowa 2 44 Voise Winters United States Bradley 3 67 Steve Black United States La Salle 4 90 Derrick Gervin SF United States Texas-San Antonio 5 113 Carl Wright United States Southern Methodist 6 136 Daryl Lloyd United States Drake 7 159 Jaye Andrews United States Bucknell Roster Philadelphia 76ers 1985–86 34 Charles Barkley F 6 6 252 Auburn 1963–02–20 23 Terry Catledge F 6 8 220 South Alabama 1963-08-22 10 Maurice Cheeks G 6 1 180 West Texas A&M 1956–09–08 6 Julius Erving F 6 6 210 UMass 1950-02-22 21 Kenny Green basketball, born 1964 F 6 6 210 Wake Forest 1964–10–11 45 Clemon Johnson C 6 10 240 Florida A&M 1956–09–12 24 Bobby Jones basketball, born 1951 F 6 9 210 North Carolina 1951–12–18 2 Moses Malone C 6 11 235 Petersburg High School 1955–03–23 yes 11 Bob McAdoo C 6 9 210 USC 1951–09–25 9 Perry Moss basketball G 6 2 185 Northeastern 1958-11-11 41 Greg Stokes F 6 10 220 Iowa 1963-08-05 44 Paul Thompson basketball F 6 6 210 Tulane 1961-05-25 3 Sedale Threatt G 6 2 175 West Virginia Tech 1961–09–10 22 Andrew Toney G 6 3 178 Louisiana-Lafayette 1957–11–23 yes 8 Michael Young basketball, born 1961 F 6 7 220 Houston 1961–01–02 Matt Guokas Regular season Season standings PHI PHI z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Game log Regular season Philadelphia 76ers #0067B1 white 1986 Total: 54-28 (home: 31-10; road: 23-18) Philadelphia 76ers October yes #ED174C white 1 0 1 1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | October 26, 1985 | @ New York | W 99–89 | | | | Madison Square Garden | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | October 29, 1985 | @ Milwaukee | L 117–119 | | | | MECCA Arena | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | October 30, 1985 | Detroit | W 132–125 (OT) | | | | The Spectrum | 2–1 Philadelphia 76ers November #ED174C white 4 3 3 4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | November 1, 1985 | @ New Jersey | L 102–106 | | | | Brendan Byrne Arena | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | November 2, 19857:30p.m. EST | @ Atlanta | L 113–114 (OT) | Barkley (21) | Malone (15) | Barkley (6) | The Omni12,214 | 2–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 6 | November 6, 1985 | Indiana | W 105–97 | | | | The Spectrum | 3–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 7 | November 8, 1985 | San Antonio | L 95–107 | | | | The Spectrum | 3–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 8 | November 10, 1985 | Milwaukee | W 105–97 | | | | The Spectrum | 4–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 9 | November 13, 1985 | Chicago | W 110–106 | | | | The Spectrum | 5–4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 10 | November 16, 1985 | @ Washington | L 97–118 | | | | Capital Centre | 5–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 11 | November 20, 1985 | Golden State | W 117–113 | | | | The Spectrum | 6–5 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 12 | November 22, 1985 | @ Boston | L 103–110 | | | | Boston Garden | 6–6 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 13 | November 23, 1985 | Detroit | L 114–119 | | | | The Spectrum | 6–7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 14 | November 26, 1985 | Boston | L 91–98 | | | | The Spectrum | 6–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 15 | November 27, 1985 | @ New Jersey | W 111–100 | | | | Brendan Byrne Arena | 7–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 16 | November 29, 1985 | @ Indiana | W 110–109 | | | | Market Square Arena | 8–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 17 | November 30, 1985 | @ New York | W 115–95 | | | | Madison Square Garden | 9–8 Philadelphia 76ers December #ED174C white 5 2 5 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 18 | December 3, 1985 | @ Detroit | W 127–107 | | | | Pontiac Silverdome | 10–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 19 | December 4, 1985 | Washington | W 115–110 (OT) | | | | The Spectrum | 11–8 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 20 | December 6, 1985 | Denver | L 121–123 | | | | The Spectrum | 11–9 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 21 | December 8, 1985 | Seattle | L 100–105 | | | | The Spectrum | 11–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 22 | December 11, 1985 | Cleveland | W 125–110 | | | | The Spectrum | 12–10 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 23 | December 12, 1985 | @ Chicago | L 102–106 | | | | Chicago Stadium | 12–11 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 24 | December 14, 19857:30p.m. EST | @ Atlanta | L 103–107 | Malone (30) | Malone (11) | Cheeks (5) | The Omni4,638 | 12–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 25 | December 17, 1985 | @ Indiana | W 102–96 | | | | Market Square Arena | 13–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 26 | December 18, 1985 | Houston | W 126–108 | | | | The Spectrum | 14–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 27 | December 20, 1985 | Utah | W 112–105 | | | | The Spectrum | 15–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 28 | December 21, 1985 | Boston | W 108–102 | | | | The Spectrum | 16–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 29 | December 26, 1985 | @ L.A. Clippers | W 117–108 | | | | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena | 17–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 30 | December 28, 1985 | @ Phoenix | W 100–98 | | | | Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum | 18–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 31 | December 30, 1985 | @ Sacramento | W 87–84 | | | | ARCO Arena | 19–12 Philadelphia 76ers January #ED174C white 4 1 7 4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 32 | January 1, 1986 | @ Portland | W 121–119 (OT) | | | | Memorial Coliseum | 20–12 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 33 | January 4, 1986 | @ Houston | L 100–115 | | | | The Summit | 20–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 34 | January 6, 1986 | @ San Antonio | W 108–102 | | | | HemisFair Arena | 21–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 35 | January 8, 1986 | L.A. Clippers | W 116–114 | | | | The Spectrum | 22–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 36 | January 10, 1986 | Sacramento | W 113–102 | | | | The Spectrum | 23–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 37 | January 11, 1986 | @ Detroit | W 102–101 | | | | Pontiac Silverdome | 24–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 38 | January 14, 1986 | @ New Jersey | W 123–105 | | | | Brendan Byrne Arena | 25–13 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 39 | January 15, 1986 | New Jersey | L 89–123 | | | | The Spectrum | 25–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 40 | January 17, 1986 | @ Chicago | W 120–118 (OT) | | | | Chicago Stadium | 26–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 41 | January 20, 1986 | New York | W 103–93 | | | | The Spectrum | 27–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 42 | January 22, 1986 | Phoenix | W 118–111 | | | | The Spectrum | 28–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 43 | January 24, 1986 | @ Cleveland | W 121–114 | | | | Richfield Coliseum | 29–14 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 44 | January 26, 1986 | @ Boston | L 103–105 | | | | Boston Garden | 29–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 45 | January 28, 1986 | @ Seattle | W 106–99 | | | | Seattle Center Coliseum | 30–15 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 46 | January 29, 1986 | @ Utah | L 86–107 | | | | Salt Palace Acord Arena | 30–16 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 47 | January 31, 1986 | @ L.A. Lakers | L 100–134 | | | | The Forum | 30–17 Philadelphia 76ers February #ED174C white 4 2 4 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 48 | February 1, 1986 | @ Golden State | L 121–125 | | | | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena | 30–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 49 | February 5, 1986 | New Jersey | W 142–107 | | | | The Spectrum | 31–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 50 | February 6, 1986 | @ Cleveland | W 111–103 | | | | Richfield Coliseum | 32–18 |- align="center" |colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break |- style="background:#cfc;" |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 51 | February 12, 1986 | Chicago | W 106–98 | | | | The Spectrum | 33–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 52 | February 13, 1986 | @ New York | W 95–92 | | | | Madison Square Garden | 34–18 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 53 | February 15, 1986 | @ Detroit | L 133–134 (OT) | | | | Pontiac Silverdome | 34–19 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 54 | February 17, 1986 | Milwaukee | L 106–111 | | | | The Spectrum | 34–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 55 | February 19, 1986 | Portland | W 153–133 | | | | The Spectrum | 35–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 56 | February 21, 1986 | Washington | W 97–87 | | | | The Spectrum | 36–20 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 57 | February 23, 1986 | L.A. Lakers | L 111–117 (OT) | | | | The Spectrum | 36–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 58 | February 25, 1986 | @ Chicago | W 122–108 | | | | Chicago Stadium | 37–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 59 | February 28, 1986 | @ Dallas | W 123–120 | | | | Reunion Arena | 38–21 Philadelphia 76ers March #ED174C white 8 2 3 4 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 60 | March 1, 1986 | @ Denver | W 118–107 | | | | McNichols Sports Arena | 39–21 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 61 | March 4, 19867:30p.m. EST | @ Atlanta | L 121–128 | Malone (35) | Barkley (16) | Barkley, Cheeks (6) | The Omni13,315 | 39–22 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 62 | March 5, 19867:30p.m. EST | Atlanta | L 114–122 (OT) | Malone (29) | Malone (20) | Cheeks (8) | The Spectrum15,192 | 39–23 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 63 | March 7, 1986 | @ Milwaukee | L 95–125 | | | | MECCA Arena | 39–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 64 | March 9, 1986 | Indiana | W 120–102 | | | | The Spectrum | 40–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 65 | March 11, 1986 | @ Indiana | W 101–91 | | | | Market Square Arena | 41–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 66 | March 12, 1986 | New York | W 105–95 | | | | The Spectrum | 42–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 67 | March 14, 1986 | Cleveland | W 109–100 | | | | The Spectrum | 43–24 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 68 | March 16, 1986 | @ Boston | L 101–118 | | | | Boston Garden | 43–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 69 | March 17, 1986 | @ Cleveland | W 118–112 (OT) | | | | Richfield Coliseum | 44–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 70 | March 19, 1986 | Chicago | W 118–112 | | | | The Spectrum | 45–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 71 | March 21, 1986 | Washington | W 112–105 | | | | The Spectrum | 46–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 72 | March 22, 1986 | New Jersey | W 123–115 | | | | The Spectrum | 47–25 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 73 | March 24, 1986 | @ Washington | L 93–100 | | | | Capital Centre | 47–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 74 | March 26, 19867:30p.m. EST | Atlanta | W 112–103 | Malone (32) | Barkley (19) | Cheeks (11) | The Spectrum14,125 | 48–26 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 75 | March 28, 1986 | Milwaukee | L 94–116 | | | | The Spectrum | 48–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 76 | March 30, 1986 | Dallas | W 114–113 | | | | The Spectrum | 49–27 Philadelphia 76ers April #ED174C white 5 0 0 1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 77 | April 2, 1986 | New York | W 93–87 | | | | The Spectrum | 50–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 78 | April 4, 1986 | Cleveland | W 122–102 | | | | The Spectrum | 51–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 79 | April 6, 1986 | Boston | W 95–94 | | | | The Spectrum | 52–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 80 | April 8, 1986 | Detroit | W 116–112 | | | | The Spectrum | 53–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 81 | April 11, 1986 | Indiana | W 130–122 | | | | The Spectrum | 54–27 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 82 | April 13, 1986 | @ Washington | L 97–98 | | | | Capital Centre | 54–28 PHI 1986 Playoffs Philadelphia 76ers 1986 #0067B1 white yes Philadelphia 76ers First Round yes #ED174C white yes no 2 1 1 1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 18, 1986 | Washington | L 94–95 | Charles Barkley (26) | Charles Barkley (22) | Charles Barkley (9) | The Spectrum9,148 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | April 20, 1986 | Washington | W 102–97 | Charles Barkley (27) | Charles Barkley (20) | Charles Barkley (6) | The Spectrum9,057 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | April 22, 1986 | @ Washington | W 91–86 | Julius Erving (22) | Charles Barkley (14) | Julius Erving (6) | Capital Centre17,137 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | April 24, 1986 | @ Washington | L 111–116 | Maurice Cheeks (30) | Charles Barkley (15) | Charles Barkley (7) | Capital Centre12,588 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 5 | April 27, 1986 | Washington | W 134–109 | Terry Catledge (27) | Charles Barkley (15) | Charles Barkley (12) | The Spectrum15,162 | 3–2 |- Philadelphia 76ers Conference semifinals #ED174C white yes no 2 1 1 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 1 | April 29, 1986 | @ Milwaukee | W 118–112 | Charles Barkley (31) | Charles Barkley (20) | Cheeks, Threatt (7) | MECCA Arena11,052 | 1–0 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | May 1, 1986 | @ Milwaukee | L 107–119 | Charles Barkley (26) | Charles Barkley (15) | Maurice Cheeks (8) | MECCA Arena11,052 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | May 3, 1986 | Milwaukee | W 107–103 | Charles Barkley (29) | Charles Barkley (13) | Maurice Cheeks (10) | The Spectrum14,611 | 2–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 5, 1986 | Milwaukee | L 104–109 | Charles Barkley (37) | Charles Barkley (14) | Maurice Cheeks (10) | The Spectrum17,941 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | May 7, 1986 | @ Milwaukee | L 108–113 | Charles Barkley (29) | Clemon Johnson (9) | Barkley, Erving (5) | MECCA Arena11,052 | 2–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 6 | May 9, 1986 | Milwaukee | W 126–108 | Jones, Barkley (23) | Charles Barkley (21) | Maurice Cheeks (13) | The Spectrum15,287 | 3–3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 7 | May 11, 1986 | @ Milwaukee | L 112–113 | Sedale Threatt (28) | Charles Barkley (12) | Maurice Cheeks (6) | MECCA Arena11,052 | 3–4 |- PHI 1986 yes Player statistics Playoffs Awards and records Charles Barkley, All-NBA Second Team Maurice Cheeks, NBA All-Defensive First Team References See also 1985–86 NBA season Category:Philadelphia 76ers seasons Phil Philadelphia Philadelphia