1986 NBA Imperialism Map

Boston Celtics114–97Houston Rockets+23 territories

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
Houston Rockets
in a single day (1986-03-06)
Longest Reign
25
Boston Celtics
straight days as leader
Most Conquered
143
Houston Rockets
territories taken all season
Biggest Collapse
−23
Houston Rockets
lost in one day (1986-03-11)

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.

Houston Rockets

The Summit

39 days led peak 23 +143 taken

Boston Celtics

Boston Garden

38 days led peak 23 +121 taken

Philadelphia 76ers

The Spectrum

29 days led peak 23 +137 taken

Sacramento Kings

ARCO Arena

17 days led peak 23 +69 taken

Los Angeles Lakers

The Forum

13 days led peak 21 +32 taken

Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena

8 days led peak 10 +9 taken

Milwaukee Bucks

MECCA Arena

7 days led peak 23 +76 taken

San Antonio Spurs

HemisFair Arena

7 days led peak 23 +28 taken

Washington Bullets

Capital Centre

7 days led peak 23 +51 taken

Denver Nuggets

McNichols Sports Arena

6 days led peak 21 +45 taken

Utah Jazz

Salt Palace

4 days led peak 23 +52 taken

Indiana Pacers

Market Square Arena

4 days led peak 21 +27 taken

Seattle SuperSonics

Climate Pledge Arena

4 days led peak 21 +23 taken

Dallas Mavericks

Reunion Arena

3 days led peak 21 +22 taken

Golden State Warriors

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena

2 days led peak 21 +21 taken

Atlanta Hawks

Omni Coliseum

1 day led peak 21 +27 taken

Chicago Bulls

Chicago Stadium

1 day led peak 21 +26 taken

New Jersey Nets

Brendan Byrne Arena

0 days led peak 5 +11 taken

Cleveland Cavaliers

Richfield Coliseum

0 days led peak 4 +8 taken

Detroit Pistons

Pontiac Silverdome

0 days led peak 2 +5 taken

Phoenix Suns

Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum

0 days led peak 2 +2 taken

Portland Trail Blazers

Memorial Coliseum

0 days led peak 2 +1 taken

New York Knicks

Madison Square Garden

0 days led peak 1 +0 taken

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