The 1985–86 NBA season was the Bullets 25th season in the NBA and their 13th season in the city of Washington, D.C.[1]
Draft picks
| Round
|
Pick
|
Player
|
Position
|
Nationality
|
College
|
| 1 |
12 |
Kenny Green |
SF |
United States |
Wake Forest
|
| 2 |
31 |
Manute Bol |
C |
Sudan |
Bridgeport
|
| 3 |
58 |
Vernon Moore |
|
United States |
Creighton
|
| 3 |
65 |
Ken Perry |
|
United States |
Southern Illinois
|
| 4 |
81 |
Richie Adams |
|
United States |
Nevada-Las Vegas
|
| 5 |
104 |
Dean Shaffer |
|
United States |
Florida State
|
| 6 |
127 |
Matt England |
|
United States |
Houston Baptist
|
| 7 |
150 |
Keith Gray |
|
United States |
Detroit Mercy
|
Roster
1985–86 Washington Bullets roster
| Players
|
Coaches
|
|
|
Head coach
Assistant(s)
Legend
- (DP) Unsigned draft pick
- (FA) Free agent
- (S) Suspended
Injured
Roster Updated: May 13, 1986
|
Regular season
Season standings
Notes
- z, y – division champions
- x – clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
| 1985–86 NBA records
|
| Team
|
ATL
|
BOS
|
CHI
|
CLE
|
DAL
|
DEN
|
DET
|
GSW
|
HOU
|
IND
|
LAC
|
LAL
|
MIL
|
NJN
|
NYK
|
PHI
|
PHO
|
POR
|
SAC
|
SAS
|
SEA
|
UTA
|
WAS
|
| Atlanta
|
— |
0–6 |
5–1 |
4–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
4–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
5–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
3–3 |
4–2 |
5–1 |
4–1 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–4
|
| Boston
|
6–0 |
— |
5–1 |
5–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
4–1 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
5–1 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
5–0 |
4–2 |
5–1 |
4–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
5–1
|
| Chicago
|
1–5 |
1–5 |
— |
3–3 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
2–4 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
3–3 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–5 |
2–3 |
4–2 |
1–5 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–4
|
| Cleveland
|
2–4 |
1–5 |
3–3 |
— |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–5 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
3–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–5 |
3–3 |
4–1 |
0–6 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–5
|
| Dallas
|
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
— |
3–3 |
0–2 |
4–1 |
1–5 |
2–0 |
2–3 |
1–4 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
5–0 |
2–3 |
3–3 |
4–2 |
3–2 |
5–1 |
1–1
|
| Denver
|
1–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
3–3 |
— |
1–1 |
3–2 |
3–3 |
2–0 |
4–1 |
3–2 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
4–1 |
3–2 |
3–3 |
3–3 |
2–3 |
3–3 |
2–0
|
| Detroit
|
2–4 |
1–4 |
4–2 |
5–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
— |
1–1 |
1–1 |
5–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
2–4 |
4–2 |
4–1 |
2–4 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
4–2
|
| Golden State
|
1–1 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
1–4 |
2–3 |
1–1 |
— |
0–5 |
1–1 |
5–1 |
2–4 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–4 |
1–5 |
2–3 |
2–3 |
2–4 |
2–3 |
1–1
|
| Houston
|
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
5–1 |
3–3 |
1–1 |
5–0 |
— |
2–0 |
3–2 |
1–4 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
3–2 |
3–2 |
4–2 |
5–1 |
3–2 |
3–3 |
2–0
|
| Indiana
|
1–5 |
1–5 |
3–3 |
2–3 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
1–5 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
— |
2–0 |
0–2 |
2–4 |
2–3 |
2–4 |
0–6 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
5–1
|
| L.A. Clippers
|
0–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
3–2 |
1–4 |
0–2 |
1–5 |
2–3 |
0–2 |
— |
2–4 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
2–4 |
2–4 |
5–0 |
1–4 |
3–3 |
3–2 |
0–2
|
| L.A. Lakers
|
1–1 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
4–1 |
2–3 |
1–1 |
4–2 |
4–1 |
2–0 |
4–2 |
— |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
5–1 |
6–0 |
5–0 |
4–1 |
4–2 |
5–0 |
2–0
|
| Milwaukee
|
3–3 |
0–5 |
5–1 |
5–1 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
4–2 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
4–2 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
— |
4–2 |
6–0 |
4–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
4–2
|
| New Jersey
|
2–4 |
2–4 |
3–2 |
3–3 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–4 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
3–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–4 |
— |
5–1 |
2–4 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
2–4
|
| New York
|
1–5 |
1–5 |
2–4 |
1–4 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–4 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
4–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–6 |
1–5 |
— |
0–6 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
3–3
|
| Philadelphia
|
1–4 |
2–4 |
5–1 |
6–0 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
4–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
6–0 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
1–4 |
4–2 |
6–0 |
— |
2–0 |
2–0 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
3–3
|
| Phoenix
|
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
0–5 |
1–4 |
2–0 |
4–2 |
2–3 |
1–1 |
4–2 |
1–5 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
— |
2–4 |
2–3 |
3–2 |
5–1 |
1–4 |
1–1
|
| Portland
|
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
3–2 |
2–3 |
1–1 |
5–1 |
2–3 |
2–0 |
4–2 |
0–6 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
4–2 |
— |
3–2 |
1–4 |
5–1 |
2–3 |
0–2
|
| Sacramento
|
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
3–3 |
3–3 |
2–0 |
3–2 |
2–4 |
2–0 |
0–5 |
0–5 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
3–2 |
2–3 |
— |
5–1 |
5–0 |
2–4 |
1–1
|
| San Antonio
|
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–4 |
3–3 |
1–1 |
3–2 |
1–5 |
1–1 |
4–1 |
1–4 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–3 |
4–1 |
1–5 |
— |
2–3 |
2–4 |
2–0
|
| Seattle
|
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
2–3 |
3–2 |
0–2 |
4–2 |
2–3 |
0–2 |
3–3 |
2–4 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
1–5 |
1–5 |
0–5 |
3–2 |
— |
2–3 |
1–1
|
| Utah
|
2–0 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
1–5 |
3–3 |
1–1 |
3–2 |
3–3 |
2–0 |
2–3 |
0–5 |
0–2 |
0–2 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
4–1 |
3–2 |
4–2 |
4–2 |
3–2 |
— |
1–1
|
| Washington
|
4–1 |
1–5 |
4–1 |
5–1 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
2–4 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–5 |
2–0 |
0–2 |
2–4 |
4–2 |
3–3 |
3–3 |
1–1 |
2–0 |
1–1 |
0–2 |
1–1 |
1–1 |
—
|
Game log
Regular season
1985–86 game log Total: 39–43 (home: 26–15; road: 13–28)
|
October: 2–1 (home: 0–1; road: 2–0)
|
November: 5–9 (home: 5–3; road: 0–6)
| Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location Attendance |
Record
|
| 4
|
November 2, 1985
|
Boston
|
L 73–88
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
2–2
|
| 5
|
November 5, 1985
|
@ New Jersey
|
L 106–112
|
|
|
|
Brendan Byrne Arena
|
2–3
|
| 6
|
November 6, 1985
|
San Antonio
|
L 80–81
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
2–4
|
| 7
|
November 8, 1985
|
Detroit
|
L 110–117
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
2–5
|
| 8
|
November 12, 1985
|
@ Detroit
|
L 122–124 (OT)
|
|
|
|
Pontiac Silverdome
|
2–6
|
| 9
|
November 15, 1985
|
@ Boston
|
L 114–118
|
|
|
|
Boston Garden
|
2–7
|
| 10
|
November 16, 1985
|
Philadelphia
|
W 118–97
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
3–7
|
| 11
|
November 19, 1985
|
@ New York
|
L 94–98
|
|
|
|
Madison Square Garden
|
3–8
|
| 12
|
November 20, 1985
|
Cleveland
|
W 101–98
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
4–8
|
| 13
|
November 22, 1985
|
New York
|
W 102–94
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
5–8
|
| 14
|
November 24, 1985
|
Chicago
|
W 115–106
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
6–8
|
| 15
|
November 26, 1985
|
@ Dallas
|
L 99–112
|
|
|
|
Reunion Arena
|
6–9
|
| 16
|
November 27, 1985
|
@ San Antonio
|
L 97–104
|
|
|
|
HemisFair Arena
|
6–10
|
| 17
|
November 30, 1985
|
Detroit
|
W 133–119
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
7–10
|
|
December: 8–5 (home: 5–4; road: 3–1)
| Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location Attendance |
Record
|
| 18
|
December 3, 1985
|
Portland
|
W 118–115
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
8–10
|
| 19
|
December 4, 1985
|
@ Philadelphia
|
L 110–115 (OT)
|
|
|
|
The Spectrum
|
8–11
|
| 20
|
December 6, 1985
|
Seattle
|
W 115–109
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
9–11
|
| 21
|
December 8, 1985
|
Sacramento
|
W 111–89
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
10–11
|
| 22
|
December 11, 1985
|
@ Detroit
|
W 108–100
|
|
|
|
Pontiac Silverdome
|
11–11
|
| 23
|
December 12, 1985
|
Milwaukee
|
W 110–108 (OT)
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
12–11
|
| 24
|
December 17, 1985
|
Utah
|
L 98–106
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
12–12
|
| 25
|
December 19, 1985
|
@ Chicago
|
W 98–92
|
|
|
|
Chicago Stadium
|
13–12
|
| 26
|
December 21, 1985
|
L.A. Lakers
|
L 84–96
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
13–13
|
| 27
|
December 22, 1985
|
New York
|
L 93–100
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
13–14
|
| 28
|
December 27, 1985 7:30 p.m. EST
|
Atlanta
|
W 111–109
|
Malone (31)
|
Roundfield (8)
|
Johnson (7)
|
Capital Centre 8,178
|
14–14
|
| 29
|
December 28, 1985
|
@ New Jersey
|
W 98–93
|
|
|
|
Brendan Byrne Arena
|
15–14
|
| 30
|
December 30, 1985
|
Indiana
|
L 80–97
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
15–15
|
|
January: 7–8 (home: 5–2; road: 2–6)
| Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location Attendance |
Record
|
| 31
|
January 2, 1986
|
@ New York
|
W 115–109
|
|
|
|
Madison Square Garden
|
16–15
|
| 32
|
January 3, 1986
|
Milwaukee
|
L 100–107
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
16–16
|
| 33
|
January 5, 1986
|
@ L.A. Lakers
|
L 88–118
|
|
|
|
The Forum
|
16–17
|
| 34
|
January 6, 1986
|
@ Sacramento
|
L 87–106
|
|
|
|
ARCO Arena
|
16–18
|
| 35
|
January 8, 1986
|
@ Phoenix
|
L 97–109
|
|
|
|
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
|
16–19
|
| 36
|
January 9, 1986
|
@ Utah
|
W 95–89
|
|
|
|
Salt Palace Acord Arena
|
17–19
|
| 37
|
January 11, 1986
|
@ Houston
|
L 86–87
|
|
|
|
The Summit
|
17–20
|
| 38
|
January 13, 1986
|
L.A. Clippers
|
W 90–77
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
18–20
|
| 39
|
January 14, 1986
|
@ Chicago
|
W 117–113
|
|
|
|
Chicago Stadium
|
19–20
|
| 40
|
January 16, 1986
|
@ Milwaukee
|
L 98–114
|
|
|
|
MECCA Arena
|
19–21
|
| 41
|
January 17, 1986
|
New Jersey
|
W 116–96
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
20–21
|
| 42
|
January 19, 1986
|
Chicago
|
W 112–98
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
21–21
|
| 43
|
January 23, 1986
|
Phoenix
|
W 114–112
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
22–21
|
| 44
|
January 25, 1986 7:30 p.m. EST
|
Atlanta
|
W 111–103
|
Robinson (38)
|
Robinson (11)
|
Williams (6)
|
Capital Centre 7,038
|
23–21
|
| 45
|
January 29, 1986
|
@ Indiana
|
L 88–92
|
|
|
|
Market Square Arena
|
23–22
|
| 46
|
January 31, 1986
|
Boston
|
L 88–97
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
23–23
|
|
February: 5–9 (home: 2–1; road: 3–8)
| Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location Attendance |
Record
|
| 47
|
February 1, 1986
|
@ Detroit
|
L 101–116
|
|
|
|
Pontiac Silverdome
|
23–24
|
| 48
|
February 5, 1986
|
@ Boston
|
L 88–103
|
|
|
|
Boston Garden
|
23–25
|
| 49
|
February 6, 1986
|
Detroit
|
L 109–111 (OT)
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
23–26
|
| All-Star Break
|
| 50
|
February 11, 1986
|
@ Portland
|
W 124–116
|
|
|
|
Memorial Coliseum
|
24–26
|
| 51
|
February 13, 1986
|
@ Golden State
|
L 105–109
|
|
|
|
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
|
24–27
|
| 52
|
February 15, 1986
|
@ Seattle
|
L 106–112
|
|
|
|
Seattle Center Coliseum
|
24–28
|
| 53
|
February 17, 1986
|
@ L.A. Clippers
|
W 96–94
|
|
|
|
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
|
25–28
|
| 54
|
February 18, 1986
|
@ Denver
|
L 90–101
|
|
|
|
McNichols Sports Arena
|
25–29
|
| 55
|
February 21, 1986
|
@ Philadelphia
|
L 87–97
|
|
|
|
The Spectrum
|
25–30
|
| 56
|
February 22, 1986
|
@ Cleveland
|
W 110–102
|
|
|
|
Richfield Coliseum
|
26–30
|
| 57
|
February 24, 1986
|
New Jersey
|
W 99–89
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
27–30
|
| 58
|
February 25, 1986
|
@ Indiana
|
L 87–100
|
|
|
|
Market Square Arena
|
27–31
|
| 59
|
February 27, 1986
|
Golden State
|
W 114–102
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
28–31
|
| 60
|
February 28, 1986
|
@ Milwaukee
|
L 84–102
|
|
|
|
MECCA Arena
|
28–32
|
|
March: 7–8 (home: 6–3; road: 1–5)
| Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location Attendance |
Record
|
| 61
|
March 2, 1986
|
Milwaukee
|
W 125–104
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
29–32
|
| 62
|
March 4, 1986
|
@ New York
|
L 83–119
|
|
|
|
Madison Square Garden
|
29–33
|
| 63
|
March 6, 1986
|
New York
|
W 113–111 (OT)
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
30–33
|
| 64
|
March 8, 1986
|
Boston
|
W 110–108 (OT)
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
31–33
|
| 65
|
March 12, 1986
|
@ Cleveland
|
W 128–114
|
|
|
|
Richfield Coliseum
|
32–33
|
| 66
|
March 14, 1986
|
Denver
|
L 91–101
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
32–34
|
| 67
|
March 15, 1986
|
@ Indiana
|
L 100–105
|
|
|
|
Market Square Arena
|
32–35
|
| 68
|
March 17, 1986
|
New Jersey
|
L 102–130
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
32–36
|
| 69
|
March 18, 1986
|
@ Milwaukee
|
L 87–116
|
|
|
|
MECCA Arena
|
32–37
|
| 70
|
March 21, 1986
|
@ Philadelphia
|
L 105–112
|
|
|
|
The Spectrum
|
32–38
|
| 71
|
March 22, 1986
|
Indiana
|
W 111–110
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
33–38
|
| 72
|
March 24, 1986
|
Philadelphia
|
W 100–93
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
34–38
|
| 73
|
March 26, 1986
|
Dallas
|
W 120–112
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
35–38
|
| 74
|
March 28, 1986
|
@ Boston
|
L 97–116
|
|
|
|
Boston Garden
|
35–39
|
| 75
|
March 29, 1986
|
Houston
|
L 109–114
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
35–40
|
|
April: 4–3 (home: 3–1; road: 1–2)
| Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location Attendance |
Record
|
| 76
|
April 1, 1986 7:30 p.m. EST
|
@ Atlanta
|
L 91–107
|
Malone (32)
|
Robinson (10)
|
Malone, Williams (5)
|
The Omni 6,835
|
35–41
|
| 77
|
April 3, 1986
|
@ New Jersey
|
W 120–108
|
|
|
|
Brendan Byrne Arena
|
36–41
|
| 78
|
April 4, 1986 7:30 p.m. EST
|
Atlanta
|
W 135–129 (OT)
|
Robinson (31)
|
Roundfield (16)
|
Williams (15)
|
Capital Centre 9,113
|
37–41
|
| 79
|
April 6, 1986
|
Cleveland
|
W 106–95
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
38–41
|
| 80
|
April 8, 1986
|
Indiana
|
L 104–111
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
38–42
|
| 81
|
April 11, 1986
|
@ Chicago
|
L 103–105
|
|
|
|
Chicago Stadium
|
38–43
|
| 82
|
April 13, 1986
|
Philadelphia
|
W 98–97
|
|
|
|
Capital Centre
|
39–43
|
|
| 1985–86 schedule
|
Playoffs
| 1986 playoff game log
|
First Round: 2–3 (home: 1–1; road: 1–2)
| Game |
Date |
Team |
Score |
High points |
High rebounds |
High assists |
Location Attendance |
Series
|
| 1
|
April 18, 1986
|
@ Philadelphia
|
W 95–94
|
Jeff Malone (21)
|
Cliff Robinson (8)
|
Gus Williams (7)
|
Spectrum 9,148
|
1–0
|
| 2
|
April 20, 1986
|
@ Philadelphia
|
L 97–102
|
Jeff Malone (25)
|
Cliff Robinson (11)
|
Gus Williams (12)
|
Spectrum 9,057
|
1–1
|
| 3
|
April 22, 1986
|
Philadelphia
|
L 86–91
|
Gus Williams (28)
|
Bol, Roundfield (10)
|
Williams, Roundfield (4)
|
Capital Centre 17,137
|
1–2
|
| 4
|
April 24, 1986
|
Philadelphia
|
W 116–111
|
Cliff Robinson (31)
|
Manute Bol (12)
|
Jeff Ruland (5)
|
Capital Centre 12,588
|
2–2
|
| 5
|
April 27, 1986
|
@ Philadelphia
|
L 109–134
|
Cliff Robinson (30)
|
Cliff Robinson (11)
|
Gus Williams (6)
|
Spectrum 15,162
|
2–3
|
|
| 1986 schedule
|
Awards and records
See also
References
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| 1960s | |
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| 1970s | |
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| 1980s | |
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| 1990s | |
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| 2000s | |
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| 2010s | |
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| 2020s | |
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Bold indicates season champion |