1985–86 Los Angeles Lakers season


The 1985–86 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 40th season of the franchise, 38th in the National Basketball Association and 26th in Los Angeles. The Lakers entered the season as the defending NBA champion, having defeated the previous NBA champion and rival Boston Celtics in the 1985 NBA Finals in six games, having finally defeated the Celtics in the NBA Finals after having lost to them 8 consecutive times in the championship series. The Lakers looked to repeat as NBA Champions, after sweeping the San Antonio Spurs in three games in the First Round, and then defeating the Dallas Mavericks in six games in the Semifinals in the playoffs, but were unable to defend their title, as they lost to the Houston Rockets in the Conference Finals in five games after winning the first game, but proceeded to lose the following four. The Rockets would go on to lose to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals in six games.

NBA Draft

The 1985 NBA Draft took place on June 18, 1985. It was also the first NBA Draft of the "Lottery" era. The lottery was put into place so teams did not have to intentionally lose games to receive the number one pick.
RoundPickPlayerPositionNationalitySchool/Club Team
123A. C. GreenForwardUnited StatesOregon State

Regular season

Record vs. opponents

Game log

Playoffs

West First Round

Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs: Lakers win series 3–0
Last Playoff Meeting: 1983 Western Conference Finals

West Conference Semifinals

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks: Lakers win series 4–2
Last Playoff Meeting: 1984 Western Conference Semifinals

West Conference Finals

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets: Rockets win series 4–1
Last Playoff Meeting: 1981 Western Conference First Round

Player statistics

Note: GP= Games played; MPG= Minutes per Game; REB = Rebounds; AST = Assists; STL = Steals; BLK = Blocks; PTS = Points; PPG = Points per Game

Season

Playoffs

Award winners