1986 NBL season

The NBL had 14 clubs spread across all Australian states and territories with the exception of the Northern Territory.

The home and away season took place over 21 rounds between 25 April 1986 and 28 September 1986.

The Adelaide 36ers had a near perfect regular season recording a 24–2 win–loss record which included an undefeated 13-0 home record at the Apollo Stadium, a feat not matched before or since in the NBL. Adelaide's only two losses of the year came away in Round 6 when they lost 89–87 to the West Sydney Westars in Sydney, and in Round 11 against the Coburg Giants in Melbourne when they went down 116–114. Both the Westars and Giants won the games on last second baskets. The 36ers were easily the best offensive team in the league, averaging 116 points per game (11.5 points more per game than the next best team, the Brisbane Bullets), while they had the 5th best defence in the NBL only giving up 96.5 points per game.

6'5" (196 cm) Brisbane Bullets swingman Leroy Loggins was selected as the NBL's Most Valuable Player. Loggins averaged 29.8 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 3.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game in 1986. It was Loggins' 2nd NBL MVP award having also won in 1984.

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=25/04/1986|hometeam=PW|score=91–99|awayteam=SSS|venue=Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=28973}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=25/04/1986|hometeam=BB|score=115–83|awayteam=HD|venue=Sleeman Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=28976}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=26/04/1986|hometeam=A36|score=107–96|awayteam=SSS|venue=Apollo Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=28978}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=26/04/1986|hometeam=CC|score=98–95|awayteam=HD|venue=AIS Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=28981}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=26/04/1986|hometeam=GC|score=121–112|awayteam=IH|venue=Geelong Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=28983}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=26/04/1986|hometeam=SKS|score=116–110|awayteam=MT|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=28986}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=26/04/1986|hometeam=NF|score=86–92|awayteam=WSW|venue=Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=28989}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=27/04/1986|hometeam=NS|score=103–98|awayteam=SKS|venue=Burwood Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=28991}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=27/04/1986|hometeam=CG|score=104–103|awayteam=IH|venue=Ken Watson Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=28994}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=2/05/1986|hometeam=PW|score=103–89|awayteam=HD|venue=Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=28996}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=2/05/1986|hometeam=NF|score=88–93|awayteam=BB|venue=Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=28999}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=2/05/1986|hometeam=SSS|score=94–82|awayteam=SKS|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29001}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=3/05/1986|hometeam=A36|score=108–72|awayteam=HD|venue=Apollo Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29003}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=3/05/1986|hometeam=NS|score=94–117|awayteam=CC|venue=Burwood Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29005}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=3/05/1986|hometeam=GC|score=123–105|awayteam=CG|venue=Geelong Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29007}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=3/05/1986|hometeam=WSW|score=63–93|awayteam=BB|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29008}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=3/05/1986|hometeam=IH|score=118–86|awayteam=SKS|venue=Beaton Park Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29009}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=4/05/1986|hometeam=MT|score=89–106|awayteam=CC|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29010}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=9/05/1986|hometeam=PW|score=85–97|awayteam=IH|venue=Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29011}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=9/05/1986|hometeam=BB|score=95–89|awayteam=SSS|venue=Sleeman Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29012}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=9/05/1986|hometeam=HD|score=95–88|awayteam=NS|venue=Kingsborough Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29013}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=10/05/1986|hometeam=A36|score=114–110|awayteam=IH|venue=Apollo Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29014}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=10/05/1986|hometeam=CC|score=87–77|awayteam=SSS|venue=AIS Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29015}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=10/05/1986|hometeam=SKS|score=105–116|awayteam=NS|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29016}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=10/05/1986|hometeam=WSW|score=115–106|awayteam=CG|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29017}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=11/05/1986|hometeam=CG|score=102–105|awayteam=MT|venue=Ken Watson Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29018}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=16/05/1986|hometeam=HD|score=69–97|awayteam=A36|venue=Kingsborough Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29019}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=16/05/1986|hometeam=WSW|score=88–96|awayteam=CC|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29020}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=16/05/1986|hometeam=IH|score=107–82|awayteam=NF|venue=Beaton Park Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29021}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=17/05/1986|hometeam=CC|score=104–80|awayteam=IH|venue=AIS Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29022}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=17/05/1986|hometeam=BB|score=77–71|awayteam=WSW|venue=Sleeman Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29023}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=17/05/1986|hometeam=GC|score=109–97|awayteam=PW|venue=Geelong Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29024}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=17/05/1986|hometeam=SSS|score=80–91|awayteam=NF|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29025}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=17/05/1986|hometeam=SKS|score=97–125|awayteam=A36|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29026}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=18/05/1986|hometeam=GC|score=112–108|awayteam=MT|venue=Geelong Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29027}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=18/05/1986|hometeam=CG|score=116–84|awayteam=PW|venue=Ken Watson Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29028}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=18/05/1986|hometeam=NS|score=100–79|awayteam=SSS|venue=Burwood Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29029}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=23/05/1986|hometeam=PW|score=93–91|awayteam=CC|venue=Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29030}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=23/05/1986|hometeam=HD|score=129–96|awayteam=MT|venue=Kingsborough Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29031}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=23/05/1986|hometeam=NF|score=152–126|awayteam=GC|venue=Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29032}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=23/05/1986|hometeam=SSS|score=84–85|awayteam=BB|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29033}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=24/05/1986|hometeam=A36|score=124–91|awayteam=CC|venue=Apollo Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29034}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=24/05/1986|hometeam=NS|score=99–118|awayteam=CG|venue=Burwood Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29035}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=24/05/1986|hometeam=WSW|score=83–93|awayteam=GC|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29036}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=24/05/1986|hometeam=IH|score=94–90|awayteam=BB|venue=Beaton Park Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29037}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=25/05/1986|hometeam=MT|score=120–111|awayteam=SKS|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29038}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=30/05/1986|hometeam=BB|score=99–85|awayteam=NS|venue=Brisbane Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29039}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=30/05/1986|hometeam=HD|score=94–99|awayteam=PW|venue=Kingsborough Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29040}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=30/05/1986|hometeam=NF|score=96–98|awayteam=A36|venue=Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29042}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=30/05/1986|hometeam=SSS|score=99–100|awayteam=GC|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29043}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=31/05/1986|hometeam=MT|score=111–121|awayteam=CG|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29074}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=31/05/1986|hometeam=CC|score=111–88|awayteam=NS|venue=AIS Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29075}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=31/05/1986|hometeam=WSW|score=89–87|awayteam=A36|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29076}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=31/05/1986|hometeam=IH|score=122–91|awayteam=GC|venue=Beaton Park Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29077}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=1/06/1986|hometeam=SKS|score=108–109|awayteam=PW|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29078}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=6/06/1986|hometeam=PW|score=96–105|awayteam=NF|venue=Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29079}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=6/06/1986|hometeam=SSS|score=91–94|awayteam=CC|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29080}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=7/06/1986|hometeam=SKS|score=86–119|awayteam=BB|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29081}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=7/06/1986|hometeam=A36|score=119–92|awayteam=NF|venue=Apollo Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29082}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=7/06/1986|hometeam=GC|score=140–124|awayteam=HD|venue=Geelong Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29083}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=7/06/1986|hometeam=WSW|score=76–82|awayteam=NS|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29084}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=7/06/1986|hometeam=IH|score=90–93|awayteam=CC|venue=Beaton Park Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29085}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=8/06/1986|hometeam=MT|score=108–124|awayteam=WSW|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29086}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=8/06/1986|hometeam=CG|score=115–86|awayteam=NS|venue=Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29087}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=13/06/1986|hometeam=BB|score=132–134|awayteam=CG|venue=Brisbane Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29088}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=13/06/1986|hometeam=HD|score=99–107|awayteam=IH|venue=Kingsborough Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29089}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=14/06/1986|hometeam=PW|score=85–117|awayteam=A36|venue=Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29090}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=14/06/1986|hometeam=NS|score=89–103|awayteam=GC|venue=Burwood Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29091}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=14/06/1986|hometeam=CC|score=120–104|awayteam=CG|venue=AIS Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29092}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=14/06/1986|hometeam=SKS|score=82–90|awayteam=IH|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29093}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=14/06/1986|hometeam=NF|score=95–107|awayteam=SSS|venue=Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29094}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=15/06/1986|hometeam=MT|score=107–123|awayteam=GC|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29095}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=20/06/1986|hometeam=PW|score=97–92|awayteam=NS|venue=Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29096}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=20/06/1986|hometeam=HD|score=100–104|awayteam=NF|venue=Kingsborough Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29097}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=20/06/1986|hometeam=SSS|score=99–83|awayteam=MT|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29098}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=21/06/1986|hometeam=A36|score=124–104|awayteam=NS|venue=Apollo Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29099}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=21/06/1986|hometeam=BB|score=113–94|awayteam=CC|venue=Brisbane Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29100}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=21/06/1986|hometeam=GC|score=107–106|awayteam=WSW|venue=Geelong Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29101}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=21/06/1986|hometeam=IH|score=101–96|awayteam=MT|venue=Beaton Park Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29102}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=22/06/1986|hometeam=SKS|score=128–140|awayteam=NF|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29103}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=22/06/1986|hometeam=CG|score=99–103|awayteam=WSW|venue=Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29104}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=11/07/1986|hometeam=NS|score=76–94|awayteam=WSW|venue=Burwood Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29105}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=11/07/1986|hometeam=CC|score=90–93|awayteam=BB|venue=AIS Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29106}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=11/07/1986|hometeam=IH|score=87–73|awayteam=PW|venue=Beaton Park Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29107}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=12/07/1986|hometeam=A36|score=124–83|awayteam=PW|venue=Apollo Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29108}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=12/07/1986|hometeam=MT|score=109–130|awayteam=HD|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29109}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=12/07/1986|hometeam=BB|score=94–100|awayteam=IH|venue=Brisbane Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29110}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=12/07/1986|hometeam=GC|score=112–117|awayteam=SSS|venue=Geelong Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29111}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=12/07/1986|hometeam=NF|score=100–98|awayteam=NS|venue=Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29112}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=13/07/1986|hometeam=SKS|score=116–110|awayteam=HD|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29113}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=13/07/1986|hometeam=CG|score=85–88|awayteam=SSS|venue=Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29114}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=18/07/1986|hometeam=HD|score=125–90|awayteam=SKS|venue=Kingsborough Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29115}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=19/07/1986|hometeam=NS|score=95–92|awayteam=BB|venue=Burwood Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29116}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=19/07/1986|hometeam=GC|score=107–109|awayteam=A36|venue=Geelong Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29117}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=19/07/1986|hometeam=NF|score=94–116|awayteam=CC|venue=Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29118}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=20/07/1986|hometeam=MT|score=111–109|awayteam=BB|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29119}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=20/07/1986|hometeam=CG|score=116–114|awayteam=A36|venue=Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29121}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=25/07/1986|hometeam=PW|score=125–104|awayteam=MT|venue=Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29122}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=25/07/1986|hometeam=CC|score=116–104|awayteam=GC|venue=AIS Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29124}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=25/07/1986|hometeam=WSW|score=107–98|awayteam=NF|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29125}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=25/07/1986|hometeam=IH|score=78–68|awayteam=NS|venue=Beaton Park Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29152}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=26/07/1986|hometeam=A36|score=140–101|awayteam=MT|venue=Apollo Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29153}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=26/07/1986|hometeam=BB|score=106–97|awayteam=GC|venue=Sleeman Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29154}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=26/07/1986|hometeam=SSS|score=97–80|awayteam=NS|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29155}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=27/07/1986|hometeam=SKS|score=117–120|awayteam=CG|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29156}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=1/08/1986|hometeam=PW|score=91–99|awayteam=BB|venue=Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29157}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=1/08/1986|hometeam=WSW|score=108–98|awayteam=MT|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29158}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=2/08/1986|hometeam=A36|score=120–92|awayteam=BB|venue=Apollo Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29159}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=2/08/1986|hometeam=NS|score=117–105|awayteam=HD|venue=Burwood Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29160}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=2/08/1986|hometeam=GC|score=104–115|awayteam=CC|venue=Geelong Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29161}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=2/08/1986|hometeam=NF|score=156–133|awayteam=MT|venue=Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29162}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=2/08/1986|hometeam=SSS|score=89–86|awayteam=IH|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29163}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=3/08/1986|hometeam=CG|score=99–93|awayteam=CC|venue=Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29164}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=8/08/1986|hometeam=PW|score=117–103|awayteam=CG|venue=Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29165}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=8/08/1986|hometeam=CC|score=111–93|awayteam=NF|venue=AIS Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29166}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=8/08/1986|hometeam=HD|score=109–117|awayteam=GC|venue=Kingsborough Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29167}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=8/08/1986|hometeam=WSW|score=109–110|awayteam=SSS|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29168}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=9/08/1986|hometeam=A36|score=137–111|awayteam=CG|venue=Apollo Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29169}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=9/08/1986|hometeam=MT|score=114–130|awayteam=NS|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29170}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=9/08/1986|hometeam=BB|score=113–99|awayteam=NF|venue=Sleeman Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29171}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=10/08/1986|hometeam=SKS|score=121–118|awayteam=GC|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29172}}

{{S-end}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=15/08/1986|hometeam=HD|score=91–90|awayteam=BB|venue=Kingsborough Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29173}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=15/08/1986|hometeam=WSW|score=123–111|awayteam=SKS|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29174}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=15/08/1986|hometeam=IH|score=79–100|awayteam=A36|venue=Beaton Park Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29175}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=16/08/1986|hometeam=MT|score=112–96|awayteam=PW|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29176}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=16/08/1986|hometeam=CC|score=99–87|awayteam=WSW|venue=AIS Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29177}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=16/08/1986|hometeam=NF|score=138–140|awayteam=SKS|venue=Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29178}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=16/08/1986|hometeam=SSS|score=75–100|awayteam=A36|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29179}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=17/08/1986|hometeam=NS|score=99–95|awayteam=PW|venue=Burwood Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29180}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=17/08/1986|hometeam=CG|score=116–104|awayteam=HD|venue=Ken Watson Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29181}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=22/08/1986|hometeam=HD|score=90–76|awayteam=CC|venue=Kingsborough Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29182}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=22/08/1986|hometeam=WSW|score=102–93|awayteam=IH|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29183}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=23/08/1986|hometeam=GC|score=86–88|awayteam=BB|venue=Geelong Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29185}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=23/08/1986|hometeam=SKS|score=121–133|awayteam=CC|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29186}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=23/08/1986|hometeam=NF|score=89–88|awayteam=IH|venue=Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29188}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=23/08/1986|hometeam=SSS|score=117–80|awayteam=PW|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29190}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=24/08/1986|hometeam=MT|score=121–109|awayteam=SSS|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29191}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=24/08/1986|hometeam=CG|score=104–99|awayteam=BB|venue=Ken Watson Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29193}}

{{S-end}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=29/08/1986|hometeam=HD|score=101–86|awayteam=CG|venue=Kingsborough Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29194}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=29/08/1986|hometeam=PW|score=92–100|awayteam=GC|venue=Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29195}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=29/08/1986|hometeam=CC|score=118–100|awayteam=SKS|venue=AIS Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29196}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=29/08/1986|hometeam=SSS|score=97–82|awayteam=WSW|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29197}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=30/08/1986|hometeam=A36|score=120–119|awayteam=GC|venue=Apollo Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29198}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=30/08/1986|hometeam=MT|score=99–100|awayteam=IH|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29199}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=30/08/1986|hometeam=BB|score=119–100|awayteam=SKS|venue=Brisbane Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29200}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=30/08/1986|hometeam=NF|score=121–127|awayteam=CG|venue=Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29201}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=31/08/1986|hometeam=NS|score=110–90|awayteam=IH|venue=Burwood Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29202}}

{{S-end}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=5/09/1986|hometeam=PW|score=120–103|awayteam=SKS|venue=Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29203}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=5/09/1986|hometeam=BB|score=118–105|awayteam=MT|venue=Brisbane Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29204}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=5/09/1986|hometeam=WSW|score=103–84|awayteam=HD|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29205}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=5/09/1986|hometeam=IH|score=128–109|awayteam=CG|venue=Beaton Park Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29214}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=6/09/1986|hometeam=A36|score=138–98|awayteam=SKS|venue=Apollo Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29215}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=6/09/1986|hometeam=CC|score=131–113|awayteam=MT|venue=AIS Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29216}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=6/09/1986|hometeam=GC|score=115–128|awayteam=NS|venue=Geelong Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29217}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=6/09/1986|hometeam=NF|score=102–101|awayteam=HD|venue=Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29218}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=6/09/1986|hometeam=SSS|score=114–95|awayteam=CG|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29219}}

{{S-end}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=12/09/1986|hometeam=WSW|score=104–89|awayteam=PW|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29220}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=12/09/1986|hometeam=IH|score=103–113|awayteam=HD|venue=Beaton Park Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29221}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=12/09/1986|hometeam=GC|score=126–118|awayteam=SKS|venue=Geelong Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29222}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=13/09/1986|hometeam=NS|score=142–120|awayteam=MT|venue=Burwood Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29223}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=13/09/1986|hometeam=CC|score=104–118|awayteam=A36|venue=AIS Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29224}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=13/09/1986|hometeam=NF|score=109–98|awayteam=PW|venue=Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29225}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=13/09/1986|hometeam=SSS|score=125–94|awayteam=HD|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29226}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=14/09/1986|hometeam=BB|score=115–124|awayteam=A36|venue=Brisbane Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29227}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=14/09/1986|hometeam=CG|score=110–114|awayteam=SKS|venue=Ken Watson Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29228}}

{{S-end}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=17/09/1986|hometeam=IH|score=98–97|awayteam=WSW|venue=Beaton Park Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29229}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=19/09/1986|hometeam=PW|score=81–89|awayteam=WSW|venue=Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29230}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=19/09/1986|hometeam=HD|score=96–93|awayteam=SSS|venue=Kingsborough Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29231}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=20/09/1986|hometeam=A36|score=124–98|awayteam=WSW|venue=Apollo Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29232}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=20/09/1986|hometeam=MT|score=132–121|awayteam=NF|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29233}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=21/09/1986|hometeam=NS|score=129–107|awayteam=NF|venue=Burwood Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29234}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=21/09/1986|hometeam=SKS|score=98–111|awayteam=SSS|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29235}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=21/09/1986|hometeam=CG|score=126–93|awayteam=GC|venue=Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29236}}

{{S-end}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=26/09/1986|hometeam=BB|score=112–101|awayteam=PW|venue=Brisbane Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29237}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=26/09/1986|hometeam=HD|score=104–106|awayteam=WSW|venue=Kingsborough Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29238}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=27/09/1986|hometeam=NS|score=94–98|awayteam=A36|venue=Burwood Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29239}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=27/09/1986|hometeam=CC|score=114–78|awayteam=PW|venue=AIS Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29240}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=27/09/1986|hometeam=GC|score=129–120|awayteam=NF|venue=Geelong Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29241}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=27/09/1986|hometeam=IH|score=90–82|awayteam=SSS|venue=Beaton Park Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29242}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=27/09/1986|hometeam=SKS|score=96–100|awayteam=WSW|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29243}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=28/09/1986|hometeam=MT|score=117–130|awayteam=A36|venue=Albert Park Basketball Stadium|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29244}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=28/09/1986|hometeam=CG|score=110–104|awayteam=NF|venue=Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29245}}

{{S-end}}

{{NBL Ladder 1986}}

The NBL tie-breaker system as outlined in the NBL Rules and Regulations states that in the case of an identical win–loss record, the results in games played between the teams will determine order of seeding.

¹Head-to-Head between West Sydney Westars and Illawarra Hawks (1-1). West Sydney Westars won For and Against (+8).

²3-way Head-to-Head between Sydney Supersonics (3-1), Geelong Cats (2-2) and Coburg Giants (1-3).

{{Main|1986 NBL Finals}}

{{NBL Finals 1986 bracket}}

There were two Elimination Finals, two Semifinals, and then best of three Grand Final series. All of the Elimination Finals and Semifinals were sudden death. As the top two teams in the regular season the Adelaide 36ers and Canberra Cannons automatically qualified to host a home Semifinal.

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=1/10/1986|hometeam=WSW|score=86–105|awayteam=IH|venue=State Sports Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29246}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=1/10/1986|hometeam=BB|score=100–82|awayteam=SSS|venue=Brisbane Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29247}}

{{S-end}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=4/10/1986|hometeam=CC|score=100–120|awayteam=BB|venue=AIS Arena|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29248}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=4/10/1986|hometeam=A36|score=116–92|awayteam=IH|venue=Apollo Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29250}}

{{S-end}}

After being a single game from 1979-1985, 1986 saw the establishment of the best of three Grand Final series. Game 1 in Brisbane saw a then NBL record attendance of over 11,000. The game went into overtime with the 36ers coming out on top with a 122-119 win. Game 2 saw Adelaide lose its only game at home for the season when the Bullets kept the series alive with a 104-83 win. Adelaide wrapped up its first NBL Championship with a 113-91 win in Game 3 at the Apollo Stadium.

Regular season MVP winner, Brisbane's Leroy Loggins, fouled out of both Games 1 and 3. Adelaide import Power forward Mark Davis was selected as the Grand Final MVP. Davis averaged 25.0 points, 19.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists over the series.

{{S-start}}

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{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=11/10/1986|hometeam=BB|score=119–122|awayteam=A36|venue=Brisbane Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29251}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=17/10/1986|hometeam=A36|score=83–104|awayteam=BB|venue=Apollo Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29253}}

{{NBLMatchSummaryLine2|date=19/10/1986|hometeam=A36|score=113–91|awayteam=BB|venue=Apollo Entertainment Centre|crowd=N/A|boxscoreid=29255}}

{{S-end}}

• Most Valuable Player: Leroy Loggins, Brisbane Bullets
• Most Valuable Player Grand Final: Mark Davis, Adelaide 36ers
• Rookie of the Year: Steve Lunardon, Nunawading Spectres
• Coach of the Year: Ken Cole, Adelaide 36ers

{{Reflist}}

{{NBL seasons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1986 NBL season}}

NBL