1985–86 Washington Bullets season

The 1985–86 NBA season was the Bullets 25th season in the NBA and their 13th season in the city of Washington, D.C.

Season standings
Notes
 * z, y – division champions
 * x – clinched playoff spot

Regular season

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * October 25, 1985 7:30p.m. EDT
 * @ Atlanta
 * W 100–91
 * Robinson (22)
 * Ruland (14)
 * Ruland (9)
 * The Omni 10,129
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 2
 * October 29, 1985
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 97–90
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 2–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * October 31, 1985
 * Cleveland
 * L 107–114
 * Capital Centre
 * 2–1
 * L 107–114
 * Capital Centre
 * 2–1
 * Capital Centre
 * 2–1
 * 2–1


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 4
 * November 2, 1985
 * Boston
 * L 73–88
 * Capital Centre
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * November 5, 1985
 * @ New Jersey
 * L 106–112
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 2–3
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 6
 * November 6, 1985
 * San Antonio
 * L 80–81
 * Capital Centre
 * 2–4
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 7
 * November 8, 1985
 * Detroit
 * L 110–117
 * Capital Centre
 * 2–5
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 8
 * November 12, 1985
 * @ Detroit
 * L 122–124 (OT)
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 2–6
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 9
 * November 15, 1985
 * @ Boston
 * L 114–118
 * Boston Garden
 * 2–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 10
 * November 16, 1985
 * Philadelphia
 * W 118–97
 * Capital Centre
 * 3–7
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 11
 * November 19, 1985
 * @ New York
 * L 94–98
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 3–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 12
 * November 20, 1985
 * Cleveland
 * W 101–98
 * Capital Centre
 * 4–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 13
 * November 22, 1985
 * New York
 * W 102–94
 * Capital Centre
 * 5–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 14
 * November 24, 1985
 * Chicago
 * W 115–106
 * Capital Centre
 * 6–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 15
 * November 26, 1985
 * @ Dallas
 * L 99–112
 * Reunion Arena
 * 6–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 16
 * November 27, 1985
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 97–104
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 6–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 17
 * November 30, 1985
 * Detroit
 * W 133–119
 * Capital Centre
 * 7–10
 * Capital Centre
 * 5–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 14
 * November 24, 1985
 * Chicago
 * W 115–106
 * Capital Centre
 * 6–8
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 15
 * November 26, 1985
 * @ Dallas
 * L 99–112
 * Reunion Arena
 * 6–9
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 16
 * November 27, 1985
 * @ San Antonio
 * L 97–104
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 6–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 17
 * November 30, 1985
 * Detroit
 * W 133–119
 * Capital Centre
 * 7–10
 * HemisFair Arena
 * 6–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 17
 * November 30, 1985
 * Detroit
 * W 133–119
 * Capital Centre
 * 7–10
 * Capital Centre
 * 7–10
 * 7–10


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 18
 * December 3, 1985
 * Portland
 * W 118–115
 * Capital Centre
 * 8–10
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 19
 * December 4, 1985
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 110–115 (OT)
 * The Spectrum
 * 8–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 20
 * December 6, 1985
 * Seattle
 * W 115–109
 * Capital Centre
 * 9–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 21
 * December 8, 1985
 * Sacramento
 * W 111–89
 * Capital Centre
 * 10–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 22
 * December 11, 1985
 * @ Detroit
 * W 108–100
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 11–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 23
 * December 12, 1985
 * Milwaukee
 * W 110–108 (OT)
 * Capital Centre
 * 12–11
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 24
 * December 17, 1985
 * Utah
 * L 98–106
 * Capital Centre
 * 12–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 25
 * December 19, 1985
 * @ Chicago
 * W 98–92
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 13–12
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 26
 * December 21, 1985
 * L.A. Lakers
 * L 84–96
 * Capital Centre
 * 13–13
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 27
 * December 22, 1985
 * New York
 * L 93–100
 * Capital Centre
 * 13–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 28
 * December 27, 1985 7:30p.m. EST
 * Atlanta
 * W 111–109
 * Malone (31)
 * Roundfield (8)
 * Johnson (7)
 * Capital Centre 8,178
 * 14–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 29
 * December 28, 1985
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 98–93
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 15–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 30
 * December 30, 1985
 * Indiana
 * L 80–97
 * Capital Centre
 * 15–15
 * L 93–100
 * Capital Centre
 * 13–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 28
 * December 27, 1985 7:30p.m. EST
 * Atlanta
 * W 111–109
 * Malone (31)
 * Roundfield (8)
 * Johnson (7)
 * Capital Centre 8,178
 * 14–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 29
 * December 28, 1985
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 98–93
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 15–14
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 30
 * December 30, 1985
 * Indiana
 * L 80–97
 * Capital Centre
 * 15–15
 * 30
 * December 30, 1985
 * Indiana
 * L 80–97
 * Capital Centre
 * 15–15
 * Capital Centre
 * 15–15
 * 15–15


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 31
 * January 2, 1986
 * @ New York
 * W 115–109
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 16–15
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 32
 * January 3, 1986
 * Milwaukee
 * L 100–107
 * Capital Centre
 * 16–16
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 33
 * January 5, 1986
 * @ L.A. Lakers
 * L 88–118
 * The Forum
 * 16–17
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 34
 * January 6, 1986
 * @ Sacramento
 * L 87–106
 * ARCO Arena
 * 16–18
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 35
 * January 8, 1986
 * @ Phoenix
 * L 97–109
 * Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum
 * 16–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 36
 * January 9, 1986
 * @ Utah
 * W 95–89
 * Salt Palace Acord Arena
 * 17–19
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 37
 * January 11, 1986
 * @ Houston
 * L 86–87
 * The Summit
 * 17–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 38
 * January 13, 1986
 * L.A. Clippers
 * W 90–77
 * Capital Centre
 * 18–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 39
 * January 14, 1986
 * @ Chicago
 * W 117–113
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 19–20
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 40
 * January 16, 1986
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 98–114
 * MECCA Arena
 * 19–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 41
 * January 17, 1986
 * New Jersey
 * W 116–96
 * Capital Centre
 * 20–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 42
 * January 19, 1986
 * Chicago
 * W 112–98
 * Capital Centre
 * 21–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 43
 * January 23, 1986
 * Phoenix
 * W 114–112
 * Capital Centre
 * 22–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 44
 * January 25, 1986 7:30p.m. EST
 * Atlanta
 * W 111–103
 * Robinson (38)
 * Robinson (11)
 * Williams (6)
 * Capital Centre 7,038
 * 23–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 45
 * January 29, 1986
 * @ Indiana
 * L 88–92
 * Market Square Arena
 * 23–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 46
 * January 31, 1986
 * Boston
 * L 88–97
 * Capital Centre
 * 23–23
 * Capital Centre
 * 21–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 43
 * January 23, 1986
 * Phoenix
 * W 114–112
 * Capital Centre
 * 22–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 44
 * January 25, 1986 7:30p.m. EST
 * Atlanta
 * W 111–103
 * Robinson (38)
 * Robinson (11)
 * Williams (6)
 * Capital Centre 7,038
 * 23–21
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 45
 * January 29, 1986
 * @ Indiana
 * L 88–92
 * Market Square Arena
 * 23–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 46
 * January 31, 1986
 * Boston
 * L 88–97
 * Capital Centre
 * 23–23
 * Market Square Arena
 * 23–22
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 46
 * January 31, 1986
 * Boston
 * L 88–97
 * Capital Centre
 * 23–23
 * Capital Centre
 * 23–23
 * 23–23


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 47
 * February 1, 1986
 * @ Detroit
 * L 101–116
 * Pontiac Silverdome
 * 23–24
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 48
 * February 5, 1986
 * @ Boston
 * L 88–103
 * Boston Garden
 * 23–25
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 49
 * February 6, 1986
 * Detroit
 * L 109–111 (OT)
 * Capital Centre
 * 23–26
 * - align="center"
 * colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * - bgcolor="#bbffbb"
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 50
 * February 11, 1986
 * @ Portland
 * W 124–116
 * Memorial Coliseum
 * 24–26
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 51
 * February 13, 1986
 * @ Golden State
 * L 105–109
 * Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
 * 24–27
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 52
 * February 15, 1986
 * @ Seattle
 * L 106–112
 * Seattle Center Coliseum
 * 24–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 53
 * February 17, 1986
 * @ L.A. Clippers
 * W 96–94
 * Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena
 * 25–28
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 54
 * February 18, 1986
 * @ Denver
 * L 90–101
 * McNichols Sports Arena
 * 25–29
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 55
 * February 21, 1986
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 87–97
 * The Spectrum
 * 25–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 56
 * February 22, 1986
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 110–102
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 26–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 57
 * February 24, 1986
 * New Jersey
 * W 99–89
 * Capital Centre
 * 27–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 58
 * February 25, 1986
 * @ Indiana
 * L 87–100
 * Market Square Arena
 * 27–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 59
 * February 27, 1986
 * Golden State
 * W 114–102
 * Capital Centre
 * 28–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 60
 * February 28, 1986
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 84–102
 * MECCA Arena
 * 28–32
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 26–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 57
 * February 24, 1986
 * New Jersey
 * W 99–89
 * Capital Centre
 * 27–30
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 58
 * February 25, 1986
 * @ Indiana
 * L 87–100
 * Market Square Arena
 * 27–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 59
 * February 27, 1986
 * Golden State
 * W 114–102
 * Capital Centre
 * 28–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 60
 * February 28, 1986
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 84–102
 * MECCA Arena
 * 28–32
 * Capital Centre
 * 28–31
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 60
 * February 28, 1986
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 84–102
 * MECCA Arena
 * 28–32
 * MECCA Arena
 * 28–32
 * 28–32


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 61
 * March 2, 1986
 * Milwaukee
 * W 125–104
 * Capital Centre
 * 29–32
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 62
 * March 4, 1986
 * @ New York
 * L 83–119
 * Madison Square Garden
 * 29–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 63
 * March 6, 1986
 * New York
 * W 113–111 (OT)
 * Capital Centre
 * 30–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 64
 * March 8, 1986
 * Boston
 * W 110–108 (OT)
 * Capital Centre
 * 31–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 65
 * March 12, 1986
 * @ Cleveland
 * W 128–114
 * Richfield Coliseum
 * 32–33
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 66
 * March 14, 1986
 * Denver
 * L 91–101
 * Capital Centre
 * 32–34
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 67
 * March 15, 1986
 * @ Indiana
 * L 100–105
 * Market Square Arena
 * 32–35
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 68
 * March 17, 1986
 * New Jersey
 * L 102–130
 * Capital Centre
 * 32–36
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 69
 * March 18, 1986
 * @ Milwaukee
 * L 87–116
 * MECCA Arena
 * 32–37
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 70
 * March 21, 1986
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 105–112
 * The Spectrum
 * 32–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 71
 * March 22, 1986
 * Indiana
 * W 111–110
 * Capital Centre
 * 33–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 72
 * March 24, 1986
 * Philadelphia
 * W 100–93
 * Capital Centre
 * 34–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 73
 * March 26, 1986
 * Dallas
 * W 120–112
 * Capital Centre
 * 35–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 74
 * March 28, 1986
 * @ Boston
 * L 97–116
 * Boston Garden
 * 35–39
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 75
 * March 29, 1986
 * Houston
 * L 109–114
 * Capital Centre
 * 35–40
 * Capital Centre
 * 33–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 72
 * March 24, 1986
 * Philadelphia
 * W 100–93
 * Capital Centre
 * 34–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 73
 * March 26, 1986
 * Dallas
 * W 120–112
 * Capital Centre
 * 35–38
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 74
 * March 28, 1986
 * @ Boston
 * L 97–116
 * Boston Garden
 * 35–39
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 75
 * March 29, 1986
 * Houston
 * L 109–114
 * Capital Centre
 * 35–40
 * Boston Garden
 * 35–39
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 75
 * March 29, 1986
 * Houston
 * L 109–114
 * Capital Centre
 * 35–40
 * L 109–114
 * Capital Centre
 * 35–40
 * Capital Centre
 * 35–40
 * 35–40


 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 76
 * April 1, 1986 7:30p.m. EST
 * @ Atlanta
 * L 91–107
 * Malone (32)
 * Robinson (10)
 * Malone, Williams (5)
 * The Omni 6,835
 * 35–41
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 77
 * April 3, 1986
 * @ New Jersey
 * W 120–108
 * Brendan Byrne Arena
 * 36–41
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 78
 * April 4, 1986 7:30p.m. EST
 * Atlanta
 * W 135–129 (OT)
 * Robinson (31)
 * Roundfield (16)
 * Williams (15)
 * Capital Centre 9,113
 * 37–41
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 79
 * April 6, 1986
 * Cleveland
 * W 106–95
 * Capital Centre
 * 38–41
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 80
 * April 8, 1986
 * Indiana
 * L 104–111
 * Capital Centre
 * 38–42
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 81
 * April 11, 1986
 * @ Chicago
 * L 103–105
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 38–43
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * April 13, 1986
 * Philadelphia
 * W 98–97
 * Capital Centre
 * 39–43
 * Chicago Stadium
 * 38–43
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 82
 * April 13, 1986
 * Philadelphia
 * W 98–97
 * Capital Centre
 * 39–43
 * W 98–97
 * Capital Centre
 * 39–43
 * Capital Centre
 * 39–43
 * 39–43

Playoffs

 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 1
 * April 18, 1986
 * @ Philadelphia
 * W 95–94
 * Jeff Malone (21)
 * Cliff Robinson (8)
 * Gus Williams (7)
 * Spectrum 9,148
 * 1–0
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 2
 * April 20, 1986
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 97–102
 * Jeff Malone (25)
 * Cliff Robinson (11)
 * Gus Williams (12)
 * Spectrum 9,057
 * 1–1
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 3
 * April 22, 1986
 * Philadelphia
 * L 86–91
 * Gus Williams (28)
 * Bol, Roundfield (10)
 * Williams, Roundfield (4)
 * Capital Centre 17,137
 * 1–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc"
 * 4
 * April 24, 1986
 * Philadelphia
 * W 116–111
 * Cliff Robinson (31)
 * Manute Bol (12)
 * Jeff Ruland (5)
 * Capital Centre 12,588
 * 2–2
 * - align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc"
 * 5
 * April 27, 1986
 * @ Philadelphia
 * L 109–134
 * Cliff Robinson (30)
 * Cliff Robinson (11)
 * Gus Williams (6)
 * Spectrum 15,162
 * 2–3

Awards and records

 * Manute Bol, NBA All-Defensive Second Team