1987-88 NBA Imperialism Map

Territory Changes

Team Territory Control

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

Final standings: the New Jersey Nets finished on top with 23 of 23 territories (100.0%).

Team Territories Controlled
New Jersey Nets 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 .

📖 I also built MakeCookbook Turn family recipes into a beautiful printed book
Make your own cookbook

Season Records

The standout territory feats of the season.

Biggest Land Grab
+23
New York Knicks
in a single day (1988-03-21)
Longest Reign
45
New Jersey Nets
straight days as leader
Most Conquered
71
New York Knicks
territories taken all season
Biggest Collapse
−23
Los Angeles Lakers
lost in one day (1988-02-09)

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.

New Jersey Nets

Brendan Byrne Arena

48 days led peak 23 +60 taken

Portland Trail Blazers

Memorial Coliseum

19 days led peak 23 +24 taken

Indiana Pacers

Market Square Arena

17 days led peak 23 +53 taken

San Antonio Spurs

HemisFair Arena

14 days led peak 23 +37 taken

Los Angeles Lakers

The Forum

13 days led peak 23 +32 taken

Cleveland Cavaliers

Richfield Coliseum

10 days led peak 23 +60 taken

Detroit Pistons

Pontiac Silverdome

10 days led peak 21 +24 taken

Houston Rockets

The Summit

10 days led peak 21 +47 taken

Atlanta Hawks

Omni Coliseum

9 days led peak 23 +35 taken

Dallas Mavericks

Reunion Arena

8 days led peak 23 +50 taken

Boston Celtics

Boston Garden

8 days led peak 21 +44 taken

New York Knicks

Madison Square Garden

7 days led peak 23 +71 taken

Washington Bullets

Capital Centre

7 days led peak 23 +48 taken

Denver Nuggets

McNichols Sports Arena

4 days led peak 23 +40 taken

Seattle SuperSonics

Climate Pledge Arena

4 days led peak 21 +23 taken

Sacramento Kings

ARCO Arena I

4 days led peak 21 +24 taken

Chicago Bulls

Chicago Stadium

4 days led peak 12 +22 taken

Milwaukee Bucks

MECCA Arena

3 days led peak 23 +42 taken

Utah Jazz

Salt Palace

2 days led peak 23 +48 taken

Golden State Warriors

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena

0 days led peak 2 +4 taken

Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena

0 days led peak 2 +4 taken

Philadelphia 76ers

The Spectrum

0 days led peak 2 +5 taken

Phoenix Suns

Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum

0 days led peak 1 +0 taken

Explore NBA Through the Years

All 80 NBA seasons, 1946-47 to 2025-26. Replay any of them game by game, or make your own version.

NBA seasons of the 2020s

NBA seasons of the 2010s

NBA seasons of the 2000s

NBA seasons of the 1990s

NBA seasons of the 1980s

NBA seasons of the 1970s

NBA seasons of the 1960s

NBA seasons of the 1950s

NBA seasons of the 1940s

More Sports Imperialism Maps

Questions or Feedback?

Got ideas for making these maps better? Found something weird? Want to suggest a new feature?

Get in Touch View FAQ About This Site