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 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7 Round 8 Round 9 Round 10 Round 11 Round 12 Round 13 Round 14 Round 15 Round 16 Round 17 Round 18 Round 19 Round 20 Round 21 ==Ladder==