1981 NBA Imperialism Map

Territory Changes

Team Territory Control

This table shows all teams sorted by the number of territories they control.

Final standings: the Boston Celtics finished on top with 23 of 23 territories (100.0%).

Team Territories Controlled
Boston Celtics 23 (100.0%)

Play with the NBA Map

Simulate your own territory battles: spin the wheel, input results, and see what happens.

Editable NBA Map Random NBA Team Generator

Imperialism Map is proudly sponsored by another of my projects:

Territory Creator


Sales territory management software

Because not all territorial conquests happen on the field.

Territory Mapping Software

How NBA Territory Conquest Works

  • Every team starts with the land closest to its arena.
  • Win a game and you take all of the loser's territory.
  • Territory carries over all season, with no resets until next year.
  • Click any territory to trace every team that held it.

Full Rules and FAQ

Data sources: Game data from Sports Reference; venue data from VenueStats .

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Season Records

The standout territory feats of the season.

Biggest Land Grab
+23
Seattle SuperSonics
in a single day (1980-12-19)
Longest Reign
16
Chicago Bulls
straight days as leader
Most Conquered
219
Boston Celtics
territories taken all season
Biggest Collapse
−23
Seattle SuperSonics
lost in one day (1980-12-22)

Team Directory

Each team's season at a glance — days spent leading the map, largest empire, territory conquered, and the rise-and-fall sparkline. Sorted by who dominated.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Spectrum

32 days led peak 23 +140 taken

Boston Celtics

Boston Garden

27 days led peak 23 +219 taken

Chicago Bulls

Chicago Stadium

20 days led peak 23 +59 taken

Phoenix Suns

Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum

15 days led peak 23 +62 taken

Milwaukee Bucks

MECCA Arena

13 days led peak 23 +103 taken

New York Knicks

Madison Square Garden

11 days led peak 23 +72 taken

Golden State Warriors

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena

10 days led peak 23 +52 taken

Houston Rockets

The Summit

10 days led peak 23 +72 taken

Atlanta Hawks

Omni Coliseum

8 days led peak 23 +43 taken

Seattle SuperSonics

Kingdome

7 days led peak 23 +38 taken

Portland Trail Blazers

Memorial Coliseum

6 days led peak 12 +24 taken

Los Angeles Lakers

The Forum

5 days led peak 23 +34 taken

Indiana Pacers

Market Square Arena

4 days led peak 23 +33 taken

San Diego Clippers

San Diego International Sports Center

4 days led peak 23 +36 taken

Washington Bullets

Capital Centre

2 days led peak 12 +13 taken

Dallas Mavericks

Reunion Arena

1 day led peak 23 +25 taken

San Antonio Spurs

HemisFair Arena

1 day led peak 12 +13 taken

Cleveland Cavaliers

Richfield Coliseum

0 days led peak 11 +11 taken

Detroit Pistons

Pontiac Silverdome

0 days led peak 11 +11 taken

Kansas City Kings

Kemper Arena

0 days led peak 3 +2 taken

New Jersey Nets

Rutgers Athletic Center

0 days led peak 2 +2 taken

Utah Jazz

Salt Palace

0 days led peak 2 +1 taken

Denver Nuggets

McNichols Sports Arena

0 days led peak 1 +0 taken

Explore NBA Through the Years

All 80 NBA seasons, 1947 to 2026. Replay any of them game by game, or make your own version.

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