# 1986 NBL season

The 1986 NBL season was the eighth season of competition since its establishment in 1979. A total of 14 teams contested the league.

## Clubs

The NBL had 14 clubs spread across all Australian states and territories with the exception of the Northern Territory.
| Club | Location | Home Venue | Capacity | Founded | Head coach |
| Adelaide 36ers | Adelaide, South Australia | Apollo Stadium | 3,000 | 1982 | Ken Cole |
| Brisbane Bullets | Brisbane, Queensland | Sleeman Sports Centre Brisbane Entertainment Centre | 2,700 13,500 | 1979 | Brian Kerle |
| Canberra Cannons | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | AIS Arena | 5,200 | 1979 | Bob Turner |
| Coburg Giants | Melbourne, Victoria | The Glass House | 7,200 | 1980 | Les Riddle |
| Geelong Supercats | Geelong, Victoria | Geelong Arena | 2,000 | 1982 | Ken Richardson |
| Hobart Devils | Hobart, Tasmania | Kingborough Sports Centre | 1,800 | 1983 | David Adkins |
| Illawarra Hawks | Wollongong, New South Wales | Illawarra Basketball Stadium | 2,000 | 1979 | Dave Lindstrom |
| Melbourne Tigers | Melbourne, Victoria | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | 2,000 | 1931 | Lindsay Gaze |
| Newcastle Falcons | Newcastle, New South Wales | Broadmeadow Basketball Stadium | 2,200 | 1979 | Steve Johansen |
| Nunawading Spectres | Melbourne, Victoria | Burwood Stadium | 2,000 | 1979 | Barry Barnes |
| Perth Wildcats | Perth, Western Australia | Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium | 1,500 | 1982 | Jay Brehmer |
| St. Kilda Saints | Melbourne, Victoria | The Glass House | 7,200 | 1979 | Andris Blicavs |
| Sydney Supersonics | Sydney, New South Wales | State Sports Centre | 5,006 | 1982 | Owen Wells |
| West Sydney Westars | Sydney, New South Wales | State Sports Centre | 5,006 | 1982 | Robbie Cadee |

## Regular season

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.

### Round 1

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 25/04/1986 | Perth Wildcats | 91–99 | Sydney Supersonics | Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 25/04/1986 | Brisbane Bullets | 115–83 | Hobart Devils | Sleeman Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 26/04/1986 | Adelaide 36ers | 107–96 | Sydney Supersonics | Apollo Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 26/04/1986 | Canberra Cannons | 98–95 | Hobart Devils | AIS Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 26/04/1986 | Geelong Cats | 121–112 | Illawarra Hawks | Geelong Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 26/04/1986 | St. Kilda Saints | 116–110 | Melbourne Tigers | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 26/04/1986 | Newcastle Falcons | 86–92 | West Sydney Westars | Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 27/04/1986 | Nunawading Spectres | 103–98 | St. Kilda Saints | Burwood Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 27/04/1986 | Coburg Giants | 104–103 | Illawarra Hawks | Ken Watson Stadium | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 2

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 2/05/1986 | Perth Wildcats | 103–89 | Hobart Devils | Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 2/05/1986 | Newcastle Falcons | 88–93 | Brisbane Bullets | Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 2/05/1986 | Sydney Supersonics | 94–82 | St. Kilda Saints | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 3/05/1986 | Adelaide 36ers | 108–72 | Hobart Devils | Apollo Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 3/05/1986 | Nunawading Spectres | 94–117 | Canberra Cannons | Burwood Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 3/05/1986 | Geelong Cats | 123–105 | Coburg Giants | Geelong Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 3/05/1986 | West Sydney Westars | 63–93 | Brisbane Bullets | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 3/05/1986 | Illawarra Hawks | 118–86 | St. Kilda Saints | Beaton Park Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 4/05/1986 | Melbourne Tigers | 89–106 | Canberra Cannons | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 3

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 9/05/1986 | Perth Wildcats | 85–97 | Illawarra Hawks | Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 9/05/1986 | Brisbane Bullets | 95–89 | Sydney Supersonics | Sleeman Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 9/05/1986 | Hobart Devils | 95–88 | Nunawading Spectres | Kingsborough Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 10/05/1986 | Adelaide 36ers | 114–110 | Illawarra Hawks | Apollo Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 10/05/1986 | Canberra Cannons | 87–77 | Sydney Supersonics | AIS Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 10/05/1986 | St. Kilda Saints | 105–116 | Nunawading Spectres | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 10/05/1986 | West Sydney Westars | 115–106 | Coburg Giants | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 11/05/1986 | Coburg Giants | 102–105 | Melbourne Tigers | Ken Watson Stadium | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 4

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 16/05/1986 | Hobart Devils | 69–97 | Adelaide 36ers | Kingsborough Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 16/05/1986 | West Sydney Westars | 88–96 | Canberra Cannons | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 16/05/1986 | Illawarra Hawks | 107–82 | Newcastle Falcons | Beaton Park Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 17/05/1986 | Canberra Cannons | 104–80 | Illawarra Hawks | AIS Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 17/05/1986 | Brisbane Bullets | 77–71 | West Sydney Westars | Sleeman Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 17/05/1986 | Geelong Cats | 109–97 | Perth Wildcats | Geelong Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 17/05/1986 | Sydney Supersonics | 80–91 | Newcastle Falcons | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 17/05/1986 | St. Kilda Saints | 97–125 | Adelaide 36ers | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 18/05/1986 | Geelong Cats | 112–108 | Melbourne Tigers | Geelong Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 18/05/1986 | Coburg Giants | 116–84 | Perth Wildcats | Ken Watson Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 18/05/1986 | Nunawading Spectres | 100–79 | Sydney Supersonics | Burwood Stadium | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 5

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 23/05/1986 | Perth Wildcats | 93–91 | Canberra Cannons | Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 23/05/1986 | Hobart Devils | 129–96 | Melbourne Tigers | Kingsborough Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 23/05/1986 | Newcastle Falcons | 152–126 | Geelong Cats | Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 23/05/1986 | Sydney Supersonics | 84–85 | Brisbane Bullets | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 24/05/1986 | Adelaide 36ers | 124–91 | Canberra Cannons | Apollo Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 24/05/1986 | Nunawading Spectres | 99–118 | Coburg Giants | Burwood Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 24/05/1986 | West Sydney Westars | 83–93 | Geelong Cats | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 24/05/1986 | Illawarra Hawks | 94–90 | Brisbane Bullets | Beaton Park Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 25/05/1986 | Melbourne Tigers | 120–111 | St. Kilda Saints | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 6

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 30/05/1986 | Brisbane Bullets | 99–85 | Nunawading Spectres | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 30/05/1986 | Hobart Devils | 94–99 | Perth Wildcats | Kingsborough Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 30/05/1986 | Newcastle Falcons | 96–98 | Adelaide 36ers | Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 30/05/1986 | Sydney Supersonics | 99–100 | Geelong Cats | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 31/05/1986 | Melbourne Tigers | 111–121 | Coburg Giants | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 31/05/1986 | Canberra Cannons | 111–88 | Nunawading Spectres | AIS Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 31/05/1986 | West Sydney Westars | 89–87 | Adelaide 36ers | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 31/05/1986 | Illawarra Hawks | 122–91 | Geelong Cats | Beaton Park Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 1/06/1986 | St. Kilda Saints | 108–109 | Perth Wildcats | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 7

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 6/06/1986 | Perth Wildcats | 96–105 | Newcastle Falcons | Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 6/06/1986 | Sydney Supersonics | 91–94 | Canberra Cannons | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 7/06/1986 | St. Kilda Saints | 86–119 | Brisbane Bullets | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 7/06/1986 | Adelaide 36ers | 119–92 | Newcastle Falcons | Apollo Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 7/06/1986 | Geelong Cats | 140–124 | Hobart Devils | Geelong Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 7/06/1986 | West Sydney Westars | 76–82 | Nunawading Spectres | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 7/06/1986 | Illawarra Hawks | 90–93 | Canberra Cannons | Beaton Park Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 8/06/1986 | Melbourne Tigers | 108–124 | West Sydney Westars | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 8/06/1986 | Coburg Giants | 115–86 | Nunawading Spectres | Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 8

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 13/06/1986 | Brisbane Bullets | 132–134 | Coburg Giants | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 13/06/1986 | Hobart Devils | 99–107 | Illawarra Hawks | Kingsborough Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 14/06/1986 | Perth Wildcats | 85–117 | Adelaide 36ers | Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 14/06/1986 | Nunawading Spectres | 89–103 | Geelong Cats | Burwood Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 14/06/1986 | Canberra Cannons | 120–104 | Coburg Giants | AIS Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 14/06/1986 | St. Kilda Saints | 82–90 | Illawarra Hawks | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 14/06/1986 | Newcastle Falcons | 95–107 | Sydney Supersonics | Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 15/06/1986 | Melbourne Tigers | 107–123 | Geelong Cats | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 9

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 20/06/1986 | Perth Wildcats | 97–92 | Nunawading Spectres | Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 20/06/1986 | Hobart Devils | 100–104 | Newcastle Falcons | Kingsborough Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 20/06/1986 | Sydney Supersonics | 99–83 | Melbourne Tigers | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 21/06/1986 | Adelaide 36ers | 124–104 | Nunawading Spectres | Apollo Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 21/06/1986 | Brisbane Bullets | 113–94 | Canberra Cannons | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 21/06/1986 | Geelong Cats | 107–106 | West Sydney Westars | Geelong Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 21/06/1986 | Illawarra Hawks | 101–96 | Melbourne Tigers | Beaton Park Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 22/06/1986 | St. Kilda Saints | 128–140 | Newcastle Falcons | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 22/06/1986 | Coburg Giants | 99–103 | West Sydney Westars | Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 10

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 11/07/1986 | Nunawading Spectres | 76–94 | West Sydney Westars | Burwood Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 11/07/1986 | Canberra Cannons | 90–93 | Brisbane Bullets | AIS Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 11/07/1986 | Illawarra Hawks | 87–73 | Perth Wildcats | Beaton Park Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 12/07/1986 | Adelaide 36ers | 124–83 | Perth Wildcats | Apollo Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 12/07/1986 | Melbourne Tigers | 109–130 | Hobart Devils | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 12/07/1986 | Brisbane Bullets | 94–100 | Illawarra Hawks | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 12/07/1986 | Geelong Cats | 112–117 | Sydney Supersonics | Geelong Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 12/07/1986 | Newcastle Falcons | 100–98 | Nunawading Spectres | Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 13/07/1986 | St. Kilda Saints | 116–110 | Hobart Devils | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 13/07/1986 | Coburg Giants | 85–88 | Sydney Supersonics | Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 11

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 18/07/1986 | Hobart Devils | 125–90 | St. Kilda Saints | Kingsborough Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 19/07/1986 | Nunawading Spectres | 95–92 | Brisbane Bullets | Burwood Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 19/07/1986 | Geelong Cats | 107–109 | Adelaide 36ers | Geelong Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 19/07/1986 | Newcastle Falcons | 94–116 | Canberra Cannons | Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 20/07/1986 | Melbourne Tigers | 111–109 | Brisbane Bullets | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 20/07/1986 | Coburg Giants | 116–114 | Adelaide 36ers | Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 12

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 25/07/1986 | Perth Wildcats | 125–104 | Melbourne Tigers | Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 25/07/1986 | Canberra Cannons | 116–104 | Geelong Cats | AIS Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 25/07/1986 | West Sydney Westars | 107–98 | Newcastle Falcons | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 25/07/1986 | Illawarra Hawks | 78–68 | Nunawading Spectres | Beaton Park Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 26/07/1986 | Adelaide 36ers | 140–101 | Melbourne Tigers | Apollo Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 26/07/1986 | Brisbane Bullets | 106–97 | Geelong Cats | Sleeman Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 26/07/1986 | Sydney Supersonics | 97–80 | Nunawading Spectres | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 27/07/1986 | St. Kilda Saints | 117–120 | Coburg Giants | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 13

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 1/08/1986 | Perth Wildcats | 91–99 | Brisbane Bullets | Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 1/08/1986 | West Sydney Westars | 108–98 | Melbourne Tigers | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 2/08/1986 | Adelaide 36ers | 120–92 | Brisbane Bullets | Apollo Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 2/08/1986 | Nunawading Spectres | 117–105 | Hobart Devils | Burwood Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 2/08/1986 | Geelong Cats | 104–115 | Canberra Cannons | Geelong Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 2/08/1986 | Newcastle Falcons | 156–133 | Melbourne Tigers | Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 2/08/1986 | Sydney Supersonics | 89–86 | Illawarra Hawks | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 3/08/1986 | Coburg Giants | 99–93 | Canberra Cannons | Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 14

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 8/08/1986 | Perth Wildcats | 117–103 | Coburg Giants | Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 8/08/1986 | Canberra Cannons | 111–93 | Newcastle Falcons | AIS Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 8/08/1986 | Hobart Devils | 109–117 | Geelong Cats | Kingsborough Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 8/08/1986 | West Sydney Westars | 109–110 | Sydney Supersonics | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 9/08/1986 | Adelaide 36ers | 137–111 | Coburg Giants | Apollo Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 9/08/1986 | Melbourne Tigers | 114–130 | Nunawading Spectres | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 9/08/1986 | Brisbane Bullets | 113–99 | Newcastle Falcons | Sleeman Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 10/08/1986 | St. Kilda Saints | 121–118 | Geelong Cats | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 15

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 15/08/1986 | Hobart Devils | 91–90 | Brisbane Bullets | Kingsborough Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 15/08/1986 | West Sydney Westars | 123–111 | St. Kilda Saints | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 15/08/1986 | Illawarra Hawks | 79–100 | Adelaide 36ers | Beaton Park Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 16/08/1986 | Melbourne Tigers | 112–96 | Perth Wildcats | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 16/08/1986 | Canberra Cannons | 99–87 | West Sydney Westars | AIS Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 16/08/1986 | Newcastle Falcons | 138–140 | St. Kilda Saints | Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 16/08/1986 | Sydney Supersonics | 75–100 | Adelaide 36ers | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 17/08/1986 | Nunawading Spectres | 99–95 | Perth Wildcats | Burwood Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 17/08/1986 | Coburg Giants | 116–104 | Hobart Devils | Ken Watson Stadium | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 16

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 22/08/1986 | Hobart Devils | 90–76 | Canberra Cannons | Kingsborough Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 22/08/1986 | West Sydney Westars | 102–93 | Illawarra Hawks | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 23/08/1986 | Geelong Cats | 86–88 | Brisbane Bullets | Geelong Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 23/08/1986 | St. Kilda Saints | 121–133 | Canberra Cannons | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 23/08/1986 | Newcastle Falcons | 89–88 | Illawarra Hawks | Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 23/08/1986 | Sydney Supersonics | 117–80 | Perth Wildcats | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 24/08/1986 | Melbourne Tigers | 121–109 | Sydney Supersonics | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 24/08/1986 | Coburg Giants | 104–99 | Brisbane Bullets | Ken Watson Stadium | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 17

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 29/08/1986 | Hobart Devils | 101–86 | Coburg Giants | Kingsborough Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 29/08/1986 | Perth Wildcats | 92–100 | Geelong Cats | Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 29/08/1986 | Canberra Cannons | 118–100 | St. Kilda Saints | AIS Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 29/08/1986 | Sydney Supersonics | 97–82 | West Sydney Westars | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 30/08/1986 | Adelaide 36ers | 120–119 | Geelong Cats | Apollo Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 30/08/1986 | Melbourne Tigers | 99–100 | Illawarra Hawks | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 30/08/1986 | Brisbane Bullets | 119–100 | St. Kilda Saints | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 30/08/1986 | Newcastle Falcons | 121–127 | Coburg Giants | Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 31/08/1986 | Nunawading Spectres | 110–90 | Illawarra Hawks | Burwood Stadium | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 18

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 5/09/1986 | Perth Wildcats | 120–103 | St. Kilda Saints | Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 5/09/1986 | Brisbane Bullets | 118–105 | Melbourne Tigers | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 5/09/1986 | West Sydney Westars | 103–84 | Hobart Devils | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 5/09/1986 | Illawarra Hawks | 128–109 | Coburg Giants | Beaton Park Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 6/09/1986 | Adelaide 36ers | 138–98 | St. Kilda Saints | Apollo Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 6/09/1986 | Canberra Cannons | 131–113 | Melbourne Tigers | AIS Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 6/09/1986 | Geelong Cats | 115–128 | Nunawading Spectres | Geelong Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 6/09/1986 | Newcastle Falcons | 102–101 | Hobart Devils | Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 6/09/1986 | Sydney Supersonics | 114–95 | Coburg Giants | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 19

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 12/09/1986 | West Sydney Westars | 104–89 | Perth Wildcats | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 12/09/1986 | Illawarra Hawks | 103–113 | Hobart Devils | Beaton Park Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 12/09/1986 | Geelong Cats | 126–118 | St. Kilda Saints | Geelong Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 13/09/1986 | Nunawading Spectres | 142–120 | Melbourne Tigers | Burwood Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 13/09/1986 | Canberra Cannons | 104–118 | Adelaide 36ers | AIS Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 13/09/1986 | Newcastle Falcons | 109–98 | Perth Wildcats | Newcastle Sports Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 13/09/1986 | Sydney Supersonics | 125–94 | Hobart Devils | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 14/09/1986 | Brisbane Bullets | 115–124 | Adelaide 36ers | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 14/09/1986 | Coburg Giants | 110–114 | St. Kilda Saints | Ken Watson Stadium | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 20

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 17/09/1986 | Illawarra Hawks | 98–97 | West Sydney Westars | Beaton Park Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 19/09/1986 | Perth Wildcats | 81–89 | West Sydney Westars | Perry Lakes Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 19/09/1986 | Hobart Devils | 96–93 | Sydney Supersonics | Kingsborough Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 20/09/1986 | Adelaide 36ers | 124–98 | West Sydney Westars | Apollo Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 20/09/1986 | Melbourne Tigers | 132–121 | Newcastle Falcons | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 21/09/1986 | Nunawading Spectres | 129–107 | Newcastle Falcons | Burwood Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 21/09/1986 | St. Kilda Saints | 98–111 | Sydney Supersonics | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 21/09/1986 | Coburg Giants | 126–93 | Geelong Cats | Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |

### Round 21

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 26/09/1986 | Brisbane Bullets | 112–101 | Perth Wildcats | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 26/09/1986 | Hobart Devils | 104–106 | West Sydney Westars | Kingsborough Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 27/09/1986 | Nunawading Spectres | 94–98 | Adelaide 36ers | Burwood Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 27/09/1986 | Canberra Cannons | 114–78 | Perth Wildcats | AIS Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 27/09/1986 | Geelong Cats | 129–120 | Newcastle Falcons | Geelong Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 27/09/1986 | Illawarra Hawks | 90–82 | Sydney Supersonics | Beaton Park Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 27/09/1986 | St. Kilda Saints | 96–100 | West Sydney Westars | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 28/09/1986 | Melbourne Tigers | 117–130 | Adelaide 36ers | Albert Park Basketball Stadium | N/A | boxscore |
| 28/09/1986 | Coburg Giants | 110–104 | Newcastle Falcons | Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |

## Ladder

| Pos | 1986 NBL season vte | 1986 NBL season vte | 1986 NBL season vte | 1986 NBL season vte | 1986 NBL season vte | 1986 NBL season vte | 1986 NBL season vte | 1986 NBL season vte | 1986 NBL season vte | 1986 NBL season vte | 1986 NBL season vte | 1986 NBL season vte |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PCT | Last 5 | Streak | Home | Away | PF | PA | PP |
| 1 | Adelaide 36ers | 26 | 24 | 2 | 92.31% | 5–0 | W12 | 13–0 | 11–2 | 3016 | 2510 | 120.16% |
| 2 | Canberra Cannons | 26 | 19 | 7 | 73.11% | 4–1 | W1 | 11–2 | 8–5 | 2718 | 2520 | 107.86% |
| 3 | Brisbane Bullets | 26 | 17 | 9 | 65.38% | 3–2 | W1 | 10–3 | 7–6 | 2650 | 2485 | 106.64% |
| 4 | West Sydney Westars$^1$ | 26 | 15 | 11 | 57.69% | 3–2 | W2 | 8–5 | 7–6 | 2519 | 2492 | 101.08% |
| 5 | Illawarra Hawks$^1$ | 26 | 15 | 11 | 57.69% | 3–2 | W2 | 10–3 | 5–8 | 2551 | 2472 | 103.20% |
| 6 | Sydney Supersonics$^2$ | 26 | 14 | 12 | 53.85% | 3–2 | W2 | 8–5 | 7–6 | 2518 | 2438 | 103.28% |
| 7 | Geelong Cats$^2$ | 26 | 14 | 12 | 53.85% | 2–3 | W1 | 8–5 | 6–7 | 2875 | 2889 | 99.52% |
| 8 | Coburg Giants$^2$ | 26 | 14 | 12 | 53.85% | 2–3 | W2 | 9–4 | 5–8 | 2841 | 2825 | 100.57% |
| 9 | Nunawading Spectres | 26 | 12 | 14 | 46.15% | 4–1 | L1 | 8–5 | 4–9 | 2592 | 2642 | 98.11% |
| 10 | Newcastle Falcons | 26 | 10 | 16 | 38.46% | 1–4 | L4 | 6–7 | 4–9 | 2782 | 2878 | 96.66% |
| 11 | Hobart Devils | 26 | 9 | 17 | 34.62% | 2–3 | L1 | 7–6 | 2–11 | 2606 | 2704 | 96.38% |
| 12 | Perth Wildcats | 26 | 8 | 18 | 30.77% | 0–5 | L5 | 6–7 | 2–11 | 2458 | 2693 | 91.27% |
| 13 | Melbourne Tigers | 26 | 6 | 20 | 23.08% | 1–4 | L1 | 5–8 | 1–12 | 2822 | 3089 | 91.36% |
| 14 | St. Kilda Saints | 26 | 5 | 21 | 19.23% | 1–4 | L2 | 3–10 | 2–11 | 2742 | 3053 | 89.81% |
Updated to match(es) played on 28 September 1986. Source: NBL.com.au
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.
$^1$Head-to-Head between West Sydney Westars and Illawarra Hawks (1-1). West Sydney Westars won For and Against (+8).
$^2$3-way Head-to-Head between Sydney Supersonics (3-1), Geelong Cats (2-2) and Coburg Giants (1-3).

## Finals
### Playoff bracket

| Elimination Finals | Elimination Finals | Elimination Finals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | Grand Final | Grand Final | Grand Final | Grand Final | Grand Final |
| | | | 1 | Adelaide 36ers | 116 | | | | | |
| 4 | West Sydney Westars | 86 | 5 | Illawarra Hawks | 92 | | | | | |
| 5 | Illawarra Hawks | 105 | | | | 1 | Adelaide 36ers | 122 | 83 | 113 |
| | | | | | | 3 | Brisbane Bullets | 119 | 104 | 91 |
| | | | 2 | Canberra Cannons | 100 | | | | | |
| 3 | Brisbane Bullets | 100 | 3 | Brisbane Bullets | 120 | | | | | |
| 6 | Sydney Supersonics | 82 | | | | | | | | |
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.

### Elimination Finals

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 1/10/1986 | West Sydney Westars | 86–105 | Illawarra Hawks | State Sports Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 1/10/1986 | Brisbane Bullets | 100–82 | Sydney Supersonics | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |

### Semifinals

| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 4/10/1986 | Canberra Cannons | 100–120 | Brisbane Bullets | AIS Arena | N/A | boxscore |
| 4/10/1986 | Adelaide 36ers | 116–92 | Illawarra Hawks | Apollo Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |

### Grand Final

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.
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Venue | Crowd | Box Score |
| 11/10/1986 | Brisbane Bullets | 119–122 | Adelaide 36ers | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 17/10/1986 | Adelaide 36ers | 83–104 | Brisbane Bullets | Apollo Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |
| 19/10/1986 | Adelaide 36ers | 113–91 | Brisbane Bullets | Apollo Entertainment Centre | N/A | boxscore |

## 1986 NBL statistics leaders

| Category | Player | Team | Stat |
| Points per game | Andrew Gaze | Melbourne Tigers | 922 pts |
| Rebounds per game | Mark Davis | Adelaide 36ers | 16.1 |
| Assists per game | Damian Keogh | West Sydney Westars | 8.1 |
| Steals per game | Leroy Loggins | Brisbane Bullets | 90 stls |
| Blocks per game | Willie Simmons | Coburg Giants | 98 blks |
| Field goal percentage | Murray Shiels | Hobart Devils | 57.3% |
| Three-point percentage | Wayne Burden | Sydney Supersonics | 47.8% |
| Free throw percentage | Dane Suttle | Geelong Supercats | 89.3% |

## NBL awards

* 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

## All NBL Team

| # | Player | Team |
| PG | Steve Carfino | Hobart Devils |
| SG | Andrew Gaze | Melbourne Tigers |
| SF | Leroy Loggins | Brisbane Bullets |
| PF | Jim Foster | Coburg Giants |
| C | Mark Davis | Adelaide 36ers |