The 1986 NBL season was the fifth season of the National Basketball League. Two changes occurred for the 1986 season, with Napier now called Hawke's Bay, while Centrals were dropped from the league and replaced by 1985 Conference Basketball League (CBL) champions North Shore. Canterbury won 16 of their 18 round-robin games, qualifying for the finals in top spot. While Wellington contested their fourth straight final, Canterbury won the championship to claim their first league title. John "Dutchie" Rademakers top scored for Canterbury in the final with 22 points, while American point guard Clyde Huntley added 20 and fellow import, Angelo Hill, 15. Youngster Ian Webb also contributed 13 points, as Canterbury defeated Wellington 87–82.