1985–86 Houston Rockets season
The 1985–86 Houston Rockets season saw the Rockets lose the 1986 NBA Finals to the Larry Bird-led Boston Celtics in six games.
In the playoffs, the Rockets swept the Sacramento Kings in three games in the First Round, then defeated the Denver Nuggets in six games in the Semifinals, before dethroning the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in five games in the Conference Finals after Ralph Sampson hit a 20-foot jumper as time expired in game five at The Forum to reach the NBA Finals.
In the NBA Finals, the Rockets faced off against the Boston Celtics in a rematch of the 1981 NBA Finals, where the Celtics won in six games. Just like in their previous NBA Finals meeting, the Rockets would lose in six games against the Celtics.Draft picks
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
| 1 | 19 | Steve Harris | SG | United States | Tulsa |
| 3 | 54 | Sam Mitchell | SF | United States | Mercer |
| 3 | 57 | Michael Payne | | United States | Iowa |
| 4 | 88 | Mike Brooks | | United States | Tennessee |
| 6 | 134 | Sam Potter | | United States | Oral Roberts |
Roster
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Game log
Playoffs
West First Round
Houston Rockets vs. Sacramento Kings:Rockets win series 3–0
- Game 1 @ The Summit, Houston : Houston 107, Sacramento 87
- Game 2 @ The Summit, Houston : Houston 111, Sacramento 103
- Game 3 @ ARCO Arena I, Sacramento : Houston 113, Sacramento 98
Last Playoff Meeting: 1981 Western Conference FinalsWest Conference Semifinals
Houston Rockets vs. Denver Nuggets: Rockets win series 4–2
- Game 1 @ The Summit, Houston : Houston 126, Denver 119
- Game 2 @ The Summit, Houston : Houston 119, Denver 101
- Game 3 @ McNichols Sports Arena, Denver : Denver 116, Houston 115
- Game 4 @ McNichols Sports Arena, Denver : Denver 114, Houston 111
- Game 5 @ The Summit, Houston : Houston 131, Denver 103
- Game 6 @ McNichols Sports Arena, Denver : Houston 126, Denver 122
Last Playoff Meeting: This is the first meeting between the Rockets and Nuggets.West Conference Finals
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets: Rockets win series 4–1
- Game 1 @ The Forum, Los Angeles : Los Angeles 119, Houston 107
- Game 2 @ The Forum, Los Angeles : Houston 112, Los Angeles 102
- Game 3 @ The Summit, Houston : Houston 117, Los Angeles 109
- Game 4 @ The Summit, Houston : Houston 105, Los Angeles 95
- Game 5 @ The Forum, Los Angeles : Houston 114, Los Angeles 112
Last Playoff Meeting: 1981 Western Conference First RoundNBA Finals
Boston beats Houston 4–2Player statistics
Season
Playoffs
Awards and records
Awards
Transactions
Trades
Free agents
Additions
Subtractions
