Michael Jordan's 36 points help Jazz escape past Celtics

Jordan dropped 36 points on 14 of 25 shooting from the field. New Orleans beat Boston, 92-91 | Box

Nuggets fail to stop Isiah Thomas from setting up his team, but still hold on for win over Lakers

Thomas tallied 12 assists in a losing effort. | Box

Magic Johnson records triple-double in convincing win for Rockets

Johnson scored 36 points while adding 11 assists and 10 rebounds in the win over Buffalo. | Box

76ers can't stop Eddie Johnson from setting up his teammates

Johnson recorded 15 assists in the 152-150 victory for the Bullets | Box

Cliff Levingston dominates the boards in 76ers blowout over Cavaliers

Levingston pulled down 12 defensive rebounds and added 3 offensive boards in the 114-97 victory for the 76ers | Box

Lead Story - 3/18/2026

1987: “Nothing But Net” All-Star Game

The East defeated the West 107–89 with Michael Jordan of the New Orleans Jazz taking home the Most Valuable Player Award. Jordan led the East with 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Magic Johnson of the Houston Rockets followed up with 7 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds, and a steal.

Kevin McHale of the Kansas City Kings led the West with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 5 blocked shots, and 4 assists. Hakeem Olajuwon of the Golden State Warriors contributed 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocked shots in a losing effort.

1987: "Nothing But Net" All-Star Game

2/17/2026

1986: “Nothing But Net” Draft Order

ROUND 1
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (10 LB) Even
2. Milwaukee Bucks (8 LB) +1
3. Denver Nuggets (9 LB) -1
4. Los Angeles Lakers (7 LB) Even
5. Washington Bullets (6 LB) Even
6. Chicago Bulls (5 LB) Even
7. New Orleans Jazz (4 LB) Even
8. Philadelphia 76ers (3 LB) Even
9. Houston Rockets (2 LB) Even
10. Detroit Pistons (1 LB) Even
11. New York Nets (36-46)
12. Atlanta Hawks (41-41)
13. San Antonio Spurs (41-41)
14. Seattle SuperSonics (50-32)
15. Buffalo Braves (53-29)
16. Portland Trail Blazers (58-24)
17. Indiana Pacers (60-22)
18. Golden State Warriors (62-20)
19. Kansas City Kings (63-19)
20. Boston Celtics (63-19) – Traded to Philadelphia 76ers
21. Phoenix Suns (64-18)
22. New York Knicks (66-16)

ROUND 2
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (13-69)
2. Denver Nuggets (16-66)
3. Milwaukee Bucks (17-65)
4. Los Angeles Lakers (20-62)
5. Washington Bullets (21-61)
6. Chicago Bulls (22-60)
7. New Orleans Jazz (32-50)
8. Philadelphia 76ers (32-50)
9. Houston Rockets (35-47)
10. New York Nets (36-46)
11. Detroit Pistons (37-45)
12. Atlanta Hawks (41-41)
13. San Antonio Spurs (41-41)
14. Seattle SuperSonics (50-32)
15. Buffalo Braves (53-29)
16. Portland Trail Blazers (58-24)
17. Indiana Pacers (60-22)
18. Golden State Warriors (62-20)
19. Kansas City Kings (63-19)
20. Boston Celtics (63-19)
21. Phoenix Suns (64-18)
22. New York Knicks (66-16)

2/17/2026

1986: "Nothing But Net" Final Season Standings

1. *New York Knicks (66-16) E1 – Atlantic Division Champion
2. *Phoenix Suns (64-18) W1 – Pacific Division Champion
3. #Boston Celtics (63-19) E3 - Eastern Conference & World Champions
4. *#Kansas City Kings (63-19) W2 - Midwest Division Champion
5. Golden State Warriors (62-20) W3 - Western Conference Champion
6. Indiana Pacers (60-22) W4
7. Portland Trail Blazers (58-24) W5
8. Buffalo Braves (53-29) E4
9. Seattle SuperSonics (50-32) W6
10. #San Antonio Spurs (41-41) E2- Central Division Co-Champion
11. #Atlanta Hawks (41-41) E5- Central Division Co-Champion
12. Detroit Pistons (37-45) 1 LB (1.8%)
13. New York Nets (36-46) E6
14. Houston Rockets (35-47) 2 LB (3.6%)
15. #Philadelphia 76ers (32-50) 3 LB (5.5%)
16. #New Orleans Jazz (32-50) 4 LB (7.3%)
17. Chicago Bulls (22-60) 5 LB (9.1%)
18. Washington Bullets (21-61) 6 LB (10.9%)
19. Los Angeles Lakers (20-62) 7 LB (12.7%)
20. Milwaukee Bucks (17-65) 8 LB (14.5%)
21. Denver Nuggets (16-66) 9 LB (16.4%)
22. Cleveland Cavaliers (13-69) 10 LB (18.2%)

NOTES: (Tiebreakers Rules: 1. Head-to-Head 2. Points For 3. Points Against)
#Boston Celtics (4-0) over #Kansas City Kings (0-4) H2H
#San Antonio Spurs (9002) over #Atlanta Hawks (8961) PF
#Philadelphia 76ers (3-1) over #New Orleans Jazz (1-3) H2H

2/14/2026

1986: "Nothing But Net" Playoff Schedule

Playoff Schedule
Saturday February 14th: First Round
Sunday February 15th: Conference Semifinals
Monday February 16th: Conference Finals
Tuesday February 17th: NBN Championship Finals

First Round
(Best-of-5 in the 2-2-1 format)
* (Division Winner)
# (Set by Tie Breaker Rules)

Simulation Times (Pacific Standard Time)
6 AM – Game 1
9 AM – Game 2
12 PM – Game 3
2 PM – Game 4 (If Necessary)
4 PM – Game 5 (If Necessary)

Eastern Conference
(1) *New York Knicks (Bye – Atlantic Division Champion)
(2) *#San Antonio Spurs (Bye – Central Division Co-Champion)
(3) Boston Celtics vs. (6) New York Nets (Celtics advance 3-0)
(4) Buffalo Braves vs. (5) #Atlanta Hawks (Central Division Co-Champion) (Braves advance 3-0)

Western Conference
(1) *Phoenix Suns (Bye – Pacific Division Champion)
(2) *Kansas City Kings (Bye – Midwest Division Champion)
(3) Golden State Warriors (6) Seattle SuperSonics (Warriors advance 3-2)
(4) Indiana Pacers vs. (5) Portland Trail Blazers (Trail Blazers advance 3-2)

Semifinals, Finals, Championship
(Best-of-7 in the 2-3-2 format)
* (Division Winner)

Simulation Times (Pacific Standard Time)
6 AM – Games 1 & 2
9 AM – Games 3 & 4
12 PM – Games 5 (If Necessary)
2 PM – Games 6 (If Necessary)
4 PM – Games 7 (If Necessary)

Eastern Conference
(1) *New York Knicks vs. (4) Buffalo Braves (Knicks advance 4-2)
(2) *San Antonio Spurs vs. (3) Boston Celtics (Celtics advance 4-0)

Western Conference
(1) *Phoenix Suns vs. (5) Portland Trail Blazers (Suns advance 4-0)
(2) *Kansas City Kings vs. (3) Golden State Warriors (Warriors advance 4-3)

Eastern Conference
(1) *New York Knicks vs. (3) Boston Celtics (Celtics advance 4-2)

Western Conference
(1) *Phoenix Suns vs. (3) Golden State Warriors (Warriors advance 4-2)

1986: “Nothing But Net” Championship
(E3) Boston Celtics vs. (W3) Golden State Warriors (Celtics take championship 4-0)

1986: “Nothing But Net” Champion – Boston Celtics

2/14/2026

1986 Draft Lottery Results

The Draft Lottery determines the order of selection for the first three teams only or the teams who originally held the rights if they were traded. The remaining non-playoff teams are selected in inverse order of the win–loss record for the remaining teams, or the teams who originally held the rights if they were traded. Therefore, the team with the worst record in the league is assured of a selection no worse than fourth, the team with the second worst record no worse than fifth and so on.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (10 Balls) Even
2. Milwaukee Bucks (8 Balls) +1
3. Denver Nuggets (9 Balls) -1
4. Los Angeles Lakers (7 Balls) Even
5. Washington Bullets (6 Balls) Even
6. Chicago Bulls (5 Balls) Even
7. New Orleans Jazz (4 Balls) Even
8. Philadelphia 76ers (3 Balls) Even
9. Houston Rockets (2 Balls) Even
10. Detroit Pistons (1 Ball) Even

1986 “Nothing But Net” Draft Lottery Results

2/21/2025

1986: “Nothing But Net” Awards

MVP – Larry Bird (Phoenix Suns)
Defensive POY – Larry Bird (Phoenix Suns)
Sixth Man – Dominique Wilkins (Houston Rockets)
Rookie of the Year – Xavier McDaniel (New York Nets)
All-Star MVP – Alvin Robertson (Boston Celtics)
Finals MVP – Alvin Robertson (Boston Celtics)

ALL-NBA Team (MVP Points)
PG Magic Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
SG Alvin Robertson (Boston Celtics)
SF Larry Bird (Phoenix Suns)
PF Charles Barkley (New York Knicks)
C Hakeem Olajuwon (Golden State Warriors)

ALL-Defensive Team (DOY Points)
PG Magic Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
SG Alvin Robertson (Boston Celtics)
SF Larry Bird (Phoenix Suns)
PF Charles Barkley (New York Knicks)
C Hakeem Olajuwon (Golden State Warriors)

ALL – Rookie Team
PG Spud Webb (Atlanta Hawks)
SG Joe Dumars (Portland Trail Blazers)
SF Xavier McDaniel (New York Nets)
PF Karl Malone (Washington Bullets)
C Patrick Ewing (Los Angeles Lakers)

Division Winners
Atlantic Division Champs – New York Knicks
Central Division Co-Champs – San Antonio Spurs & Atlanta Hawks
Midwest Division Champs – Kansas City Kings
Pacific Division Champs – Phoenix Suns

Conference Winners
Eastern Conference Champs – Boston Celtics
Western Conference Champs – Golden State Warriors

1986: “Nothing But Net” Champions – Boston Celtics


"Nothing But Net" League History

2/8/2025

Traded Picks

1977
Phoenix Suns take Boston Celtics 1977 1st Round Pick (Thompson/Wicks)

1978
Atlanta Hawks take Houston Rockets 1978 1st Round Pick (Nater/Landsburger)
Indiana Pacers take Portland Trail Blazers 1978 1st Round Pick (Dave Cowens)
Kansas City Kings take Indiana Pacers 1978 1st Round Pick (Silas_Heard)
Kansas City Kings take Indiana Pacers 1978 2nd Round Pick (Silas_Heard)

1979
Kansas City Kings take Seattle SuperSonics 1979 1st Round Pick (Rick Barry)
Atlanta Hawks take Houston Rockets 1979 1st Round Pick (Williamson/Beard)
Via Atlanta Hawks: Phoenix Suns take Houston Rockets 1979 1st Round Pick (Rickey Green)
Atlanta Hawks take New Orleans Jazz 1979 1st Round Pick (Edwards/Mitchell)
Via Atlanta Hawks: Phoenix Suns take New Orleans Jazz 1979 1st Round Pick (Rickey Green)
Chicago Bulls take Atlanta Hawks 1979 2nd Round Pick (Davis/Richardson)
Chicago Bulls take Boston Celtics 1979 1st Round Pick#7 (Clifford Ray)
Boston Celtics take Chicago Bulls 1979 1st Round Pick #5 (Clifford Ray)

1980
Houston Rockets take Boston Celtics 1980 1st Round Pick (Fernsten/Nater)
Houston Rockets take Atlanta Hawks 1980 1st Round Pick (Whitehead/Hayes)
Atlanta Hawks take New Orleans Jazz 1980 1st Round Pick (Edwards/Mitchell)
Via Atlanta Hawks: Chicago Bulls take New Orleans Jazz 1980 1st Round Pick (Davis/Richardson)
New Orleans Jazz take Atlanta Hawks 1980 2nd Round Pick (Edwards/Mitchell)
Via New Orleans Jazz: Indiana Pacers take Atlanta Hawks 1980 2nd Round Pick (Issel/Edwards)
Indiana Pacers take New Orleans Jazz 1980 2nd Round Pick (Issel/Edwards)
Indiana Pacers take Portland Trail Blazers 1980 1st Round Pick (Calvin Murphy)

1981
Milwaukee Bucks take Atlanta Hawks 1981 1st Round Pick (Kramer/Jackson)
Detroit Pistons take Atlanta Hawks 1981 2nd Round Pick (Johnson/Tomjanovich)
Portland Trail Blazers take Boston Celtics 1st Round Pick (Landsberger/Johnson)
Los Angeles Lakers take Chicago Bulls 1981 1st Round Pick (Calvin Natt)
Chicago Bulls take Los Angeles Lakers 1981 1st Round Pick (Calvin Natt)
Detroit Pistons take Los Angeles Lakers (Via Chicago Bulls) 1981 1st Round Pick (Artis Gilmore)

1982
Los Angeles Lakers take Chicago Bulls 1982 1st Round Pick (Calvin Natt)
Chicago Bulls take Los Angeles Lakers 1982 1st Round Pick (Calvin Natt)
Boston Celtics take Los Angeles Lakers 1982 (Via Chicago Bulls) 1st Round Pick (Erving/Moore)
Indiana Pacers take Atlanta Hawks 1982 2nd Round Pick (Butch Carter)

1983
Boston Celtics take Portland Trail Blazers 1983 1st Round Pick (King/Pierce)

1984
New Orleans Jazz take Phoenix Suns 1984 1st Round Pick (Cedric Maxwell)

1985
Milwaukee Bucks take Phoenix Suns 1985 1st Round Pick (Marques Johnson)
Milwaukee Bucks take Phoenix Suns 1985 2nd Round Pick (Marques Johnson)
Philadelphia 76ers take Boston Celtics 1985 1st Round Pick (Carr/Williams)

1986
Philadelphia 76ers take Boston Celtics 1986 1st Round Pick (Carr/Williams)

1987
Chicago Bulls take Boston Celtics 1987 1st Round Pick (Ballard/Natt)
Atlanta Hawks take Detroit Pistons 1987 1st Round Pick (Person/Tarpley)
Atlanta Hawks take New Orleans Jazz 1987 1st Round Pick (Jones/Lucas)

1988
Atlanta Hawks take Detroit Pistons 1988 1st Round Pick (Person/Tarpley)

2/28/2023

ABA-NBA Merger

The ABA-NBA merger was a major pro sports business maneuver in 1976 when the American Basketball Association combined with the National Basketball Association, after multiple attempts over several years. The NBA and ABA had entered merger talks as early as 1970, but an antitrust suit filed by the head of the NBA players union, Robertson v. National Basketball Ass'n, blocked the merger until 1976. The NBA agreed to accept four of the remaining six ABA teams: the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Nets, and San Antonio Spurs. The remaining two ABA teams, the Kentucky Colonels and the Spirits of St. Louis, folded, with their players entering a dispersal draft.