The 1986–87 Milwaukee Bucks season was the 19th season of the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The team was coached by Don Nelson and played its home games at the MECCA Arena.
Regular season
- Record: 42 wins, 40 losses.
- Division standing: 4th place in the Central Division, Eastern Conference.
- The Bucks qualified for the NBA playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s 5th seed.
Key players
- Sidney Moncrief – served as the primary scorer and team leader.
- Alvin Robertson – contributed significantly on both offense and defense, leading the team in steals.
- Paul Pressey – provided playmaking duties as the team's leading point guard.
Playoffs
- The Bucks faced the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 1987 NBA Playoffs.
- The series resulted in a 3‑0 sweep in favor of Boston, ending Milwaukee’s postseason run.
Notable events
- Don Nelson continued to implement a fast‑paced, transition‑focused offensive system.
- The season marked the final full year of Sidney Moncrief’s tenure with the Bucks before his departure in the subsequent offseason.
Overall assessment
The 1986–87 campaign was a modestly successful regular season that concluded with an early playoff exit. The Bucks demonstrated competitive play under coach Don Nelson but were unable to advance beyond the opening round of the postseason.
