| 1985 New Zealand NBL season | |
|---|---|
| League | New Zealand NBL |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Number of teams | 10 |
| Regular season | |
| Minor premiers | Auckland |
| Top scorer | Ronnie Joyner (Ponsonby) |
| Playoffs | |
| Champions | Wellington |
| Runners-up | Auckland |
The 1985 NBL season was the fourth season of the National Basketball League. Two new teams entered the league in 1985, expanding the number of teams from eight to ten. 1984 Conference Basketball League (CBL) champions New Plymouth were promoted to the NBL for the 1985 season, while 1984 CBL runners-up Palmerston North were readmitted to the league after being demoted following their last place finish in 1982.[1]
The mid-1980s was considered the league's halcyon period,[2] with Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington the benchmark teams. The 1985 Final was one of the league's most memorable, with Wellington and Auckland facing off against each other for the third straight year. The game was televised live and most were expecting Auckland to revenge their 1984 defeat after garnering two 20-point wins over Wellington during the regular season. The game was a thriller, having to be sent into overtime after the scores were locked at 100 a piece after four quarters.[2] Saints legend Kenny McFadden went on to hit the winning three-point shot at the buzzer in the extra period to claim a 114–111 win and back-to-back championships.[3]