NBA professional basketball team season
NBA professional basketball team season
The
1995–96 NBA season was the Lakers' 48th season in the
National Basketball Association , and 36th in the city of
Los Angeles .
[1] It was also the highlight of retired All-Star guard and Lakers legend
Magic Johnson making a comeback.
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6] During the off-season, the team signed free agents
Corie Blount and
Derek Strong .
[7]
[8] The Lakers got off to a slow start losing three of their first four games, but soon recovered holding a 24–18 record before Johnson's arrival on January 30, 1996, in a 128–118 home victory over the
Golden State Warriors ; Magic had 19 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists and 2 steals in 27 minutes off the bench.
[9]
[6]
[10]
[11]
[12] The Lakers won ten of their twelve games in February, which included an 8-game winning streak, and held a 28–19 record at the All-Star break.
[13]
However, in March, after a game against the
Seattle SuperSonics , scoring leader
Cedric Ceballos missed the team's charter flight to Seattle without explanation, as the Lakers were scheduled to play the Sonics again; Ceballos went missing for a few days, but later on returned to the team, and was suspended without pay.
[14]
[15]
[16]
[17] Their troubles continued as
Nick Van Exel shoved a referee during a road game against the
Denver Nuggets on April 9, and was suspended for the final seven games of the regular season.
[18]
[19]
[20]
[21] Magic was also suspended for three games for bumping into a referee during a home game against the
Phoenix Suns on April 14.
[22]
[23]
[24]
[25] The Lakers finished second in the Pacific Division with a 53–29 record.
[26]
Ceballos averaged 21.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, while Van Exel provided the team with 14.9 points and 6.9 assists per game, and Johnson played a sixth man role moving into the power forward position,
[27]
[28] averaging 14.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game off the bench in 32 games, starting in just nine of them. He also reached a milestone by passing his 10,000 career assist in a 102–89 road win over the
Sacramento Kings on March 7, 1996,
[29]
[30]
[31] and finished in fifth place in
Sixth Man of the Year voting.
[32]
[33] In addition,
Elden Campbell averaged 13.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game, while
Vlade Divac provided with 12.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, and second-year guard
Eddie Jones contributed 12.8 points and 1.8 steals per game. Off the bench,
Anthony Peeler contributed 9.7 points per game, and
Sedale Threatt provided with 7.3 points and 3.3 assists per game.
[34]
However, in the Western Conference First Round of the
playoffs , the Lakers lost to the 5th-seeded, and 2-time defending champion
Houston Rockets in four games;
[35]
[36]
[37]
[38] after the defeat, Magic decided to retire for the second time and for good.
[39]
[40]
[41]
[42]
[43] Following the season, Divac was traded to the
Charlotte Hornets in exchange for
1996 NBA draftee , and high school basketball star
Kobe Bryant ,
[44]
[45]
[46]
[47]
[48] while Peeler and
George Lynch were both dealt to the
Vancouver Grizzlies ,
[49]
[50]
[51] Strong signed as a free agent with the
Orlando Magic ,
[52]
[53] and Threatt was released to free agency.
NBA draft
Roster
1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
F
43
Blount, Corie
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
1969–01–04
Cincinnati
F
41
Campbell, Elden
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
1968–07–23
Clemson
F
23
Ceballos, Cedric
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1969–08–02
Cal State Fullerton
C
12
Divac, Vlade
7 ft 1 in (2.16 m)
243 lb (110 kg)
1968–02–03
Yugoslavia
F
32
Johnson, Magic
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
1959–08–14
Michigan State
G
25
Jones, Eddie
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1971–10–20
Temple
G
4
King, Frankie
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
1972–06–06
Western Carolina
F
34
Lynch, George
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
218 lb (99 kg)
1970–09–03
North Carolina
F
2
Miller, Anthony
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
1971–10–22
Michigan State
G
1
Peeler, Anthony
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
208 lb (94 kg)
1969–11–25
Missouri
C
24
Roberts, Fred
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
218 lb (99 kg)
1960–08–14
BYU
F
7
Strong, Derek
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1968–02–09
Xavier
G
3
Threatt, Sedale
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
1961–09–10
West Virginia Tech
G
9
Van Exel, Nick
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
1971–11–27
Cincinnati
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(C) Team captain(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Roster Last transaction: {{{access-date}}}
Regular season
Magic's Comeback
In the
1995–96 NBA season , Johnson made a short-lived second comeback as a player from January 1996 to May 1996. In this time, he had bulked up from his self-reported weight of 235 lb in 1992,
[54] to 255 lb in order to play
power forward , a much more physical position than his usual
point guard role. At age 36, Johnson played the last 32 games of the season, averaging 14.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. The Lakers lost to the
Houston Rockets in the first round of
the playoffs , and Johnson retired for good. Johnson explained his comeback with the words: "I'm going out on my terms, something I couldn't say when I aborted a comeback in 1992."
[55]
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
1995-96 NBA Records
Team
ATL
BOS
CHA
CHI
CLE
DAL
DEN
DET
GSW
HOU
IND
LAC
LAL
MIA
MIL
MIN
NJN
NYK
ORL
PHI
PHO
POR
SAC
SAS
SEA
TOR
UTA
VAN
WAS
Atlanta
–
4–0
3–1
0–4
3–1
1–1
1–1
2–2
1–1
1–1
1–3
2–0
0–2
2–2
2–2
1–1
4–0
2–1
2–2
2–1
0–2
2–0
2–0
0–2
0–2
4–0
1–1
2–0
1–3
Boston
0–4
–
2–2
0–3
1–3
0–2
1–1
2–1
0–2
1–1
0–4
2–0
0–2
3–1
3–1
2–0
2–2
0–4
1–3
4–0
1–1
0–2
2–0
0–2
0–2
3–1
0–2
1–1
2–2
Charlotte
1–3
2–2
–
1–3
3–1
2–0
2–0
1–3
0–2
0–2
1–3
1–1
2–0
2–2
3–1
1–1
0–3
3–0
0–4
3–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
3–1
1–1
2–0
3–1
Chicago
4–0
3–0
3–1
–
4–0
2–0
1–1
4–0
2–0
2–0
2–2
2–0
2–0
3–1
4–0
2–0
3–0
3–1
3–1
4–0
1–1
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–1
3–1
2–0
2–0
4–0
Cleveland
1–3
3–1
1–3
0–4
–
2–0
1–1
2–2
2–0
1–1
2–2
2–0
2–0
1–3
4–0
2–0
1–2
3–1
1–2
4–0
2–0
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
3–1
0–2
2–0
3–1
Dallas
1–1
2–0
0–2
0–2
0–2
–
2–2
0–2
2–2
1–3
0–2
2–2
0–4
0–2
1–1
0–4
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–3
0–4
2–2
2–2
2–2
1–1
1–3
4–0
0–2
Denver
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
2–2
–
1–1
2–2
1–3
0–2
1–3
2–2
0–2
1–1
4–0
0–2
1–1
1–1
2–0
3–1
0–4
0–4
0–4
1–3
2–0
3–1
3–1
1–1
Detroit
2–2
1–2
3–1
0–4
2–2
2–0
1–1
–
2–0
1–1
2–2
2–0
0–2
1–3
2–2
1–1
4–0
0–4
1–3
4–0
2–0
2–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
4–0
0–2
2–0
1–2
Golden State
1–1
2–0
2–0
0–2
0–2
2–2
2–2
0–2
–
2–2
1–1
3–1
1–3
1–1
1–1
3–1
2–0
0–2
0–2
2–0
1–3
1–3
1–3
1–3
0–4
1–1
1–3
4–0
1–1
Houston
1–1
1–1
2–0
0–2
1–1
3–1
3–1
1–1
2–2
–
2–0
4–0
3–1
0–2
2–0
2–2
2–0
0–2
0–2
2–0
3–1
2–2
2–2
1–3
0–4
2–0
2–2
4–0
1–1
Indiana
3–1
4–0
3–1
2–2
2–2
2–0
2–0
2–2
1–1
0–2
–
2–0
1–1
3–0
3–1
1–1
1–3
1–3
2–2
3–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–0
4–0
0–2
2–0
3–0
L.A. Clippers
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–2
3–1
0–2
1–3
0–4
0–2
–
0–4
1–1
1–1
3–1
1–1
1–1
0–2
2–0
3–1
2–2
2–2
1–3
0–4
0–2
1–3
3–1
1–1
L.A. Lakers
2–0
2–0
0–2
0–2
0–2
4–0
2–2
2–0
3–1
1–3
1–1
4–0
–
2–0
2–0
3–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
2–2
3–1
1–3
2–2
2–0
2–2
4–0
1–1
Miami
2–2
1–3
2–2
1–3
3–1
2–0
2–0
3–1
1–1
2–0
0–3
1–1
0–2
–
3–0
1–1
5–0
1–3
1–3
3–1
1–1
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
2–1
0–2
1–1
2–2
Milwaukee
2–2
1–3
1–3
0–4
0–4
1–1
1–1
2–2
1–1
0–2
1–3
1–1
0–2
0–3
–
1–1
1–3
2–2
1–3
2–1
0–2
2–0
0–2
1–1
0–2
2–2
0–2
1–1
1–3
Minnesota
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
4–0
0–4
1–1
1–3
2–2
1–1
1–3
1–3
1–1
1–1
–
1–1
0–2
0–2
1–1
1–3
0–4
3–1
1–3
0–4
1–1
1–3
2–2
0–2
New Jersey
0–4
2–2
3–0
0–3
2–1
1–1
2–0
0–4
0–2
0–2
3–1
1–1
0–2
0–5
3–1
1–1
–
2–2
0–4
2–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
0–2
0–2
2–2
0–2
2–0
2–2
New York
1–2
4–0
0–3
1–3
1–3
2–0
1–1
4–0
2–0
2–0
3–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
2–2
2–0
2–2
–
1–3
3–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
1–1
4–0
1–1
1–1
3–1
Orlando
2–2
3–1
4–0
1–3
2–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
2–0
2–0
2–2
2–0
1–1
3–1
3–1
2–0
4–0
3–1
–
4–0
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
1–1
2–1
1–1
2–0
4–0
Philadelphia
1–2
0–4
1–3
0–4
0–4
2–0
0–2
0–4
0–2
0–2
1–3
0–2
1–1
1–3
1–2
1–1
2–2
1–3
0–4
–
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
3–1
1–1
1–1
1–3
Phoenix
2–0
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–2
3–1
1–3
0–2
3–1
1–3
1–1
1–3
1–3
1–1
2–0
3–1
2–0
2–0
0–2
2–0
–
2–2
2–2
1–3
0–4
2–0
1–3
4–0
2–0
Portland
0–2
2–0
1–1
0–2
1–1
4–0
4–0
0–2
3–1
2–2
1–1
2–2
2–2
2–0
0–2
4–0
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
–
1–3
1–3
1–3
2–0
1–3
2–2
0–2
Sacramento
0–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
2–2
4–0
1–1
3–1
2–2
2–0
2–2
1–3
1–1
2–0
1–3
1–1
2–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
3–1
–
1–3
0–4
2–0
0–4
2–2
0–2
San Antonio
2–0
2–0
2–0
0–2
2–0
2–2
4–0
0–2
3–1
3–1
1–1
3–1
3–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
3–1
3–1
3–1
–
2–2
2–0
3–1
4–0
1–1
Seattle
2–0
2–0
2–0
1–1
2–0
2–2
3–1
1–1
4–0
4–0
0–2
4–0
2–2
2–0
2–0
4–0
2–0
1–1
1–1
2–0
4–0
3–1
4–0
2–2
–
1–1
3–1
3–1
1–1
Toronto
0–4
1–3
1–3
1–3
1–3
1–1
0–2
0–4
1–1
0–2
0–4
2–0
0–2
1–2
2–2
1–1
2–2
0–4
1–2
1–3
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–2
1–1
–
0–2
1–1
3–1
Utah
1–1
2–0
1–1
0–2
2–0
3–1
1–3
2–0
3–1
2–2
2–0
3–1
2–2
2–0
2–0
3–1
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–1
3–1
3–1
4–0
1–3
1–3
2–0
–
4–0
1–1
Vancouver
0–2
1–1
0–2
0–2
0–2
0–4
1–3
0–2
0–4
0–4
0–2
1–3
0–4
1–1
1–1
2–2
0–2
1–1
0–2
1–1
0–4
2–2
2–2
0–4
1–3
1–1
0–4
–
0–2
Washington
3–1
2–2
1–3
0–4
1–3
2–0
1–1
2–1
1–1
1–1
0–3
1–1
1–1
2–2
3–1
2–0
2–2
1–3
0–4
3–1
0–2
2–0
2–0
1–1
1–1
1–3
1–1
2–0
—
Game log
Regular Season
1995–96 game log Total: 53-29 (home: 30-11; road: 23–18)
November: 7–7 (home: 5–2; road: 2–5)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
1
November 3
Denver
W 98-96
Cedric Ceballos (26)
Vlade Divac (10)
Nick Van Exel (7)
Great Western Forum 16,345
1-0
2
November 4
@
Seattle
L 89-103
Elden Campbell (24)
Elden Campbell (14)
3 players tied (2)
KeyArena 17,102
1-1
3
November 7
@
Minnesota
L 92-93
Cedric Ceballos (27)
3 players tied (6)
Nick Van Exel (10)
Target Center 14,756
1-2
4
November 8
@
Utah
L 98-108
Cedric Ceballos (26)
Cedric Ceballos (10)
Nick Van Exel (7)
Delta Center 19,911
1-3
5
November 10
Seattle
W 100-97
Cedric Ceballos (32)
Cedric Ceballos (12)
Sedale Threatt (7)
Great Western Forum 15,542
2-3
6
November 11
@
Golden State
L 105-123
Cedric Ceballos (25)
Cedric Ceballos (15)
Nick Van Exel (6)
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025
2-4
7
November 14
@
Sacramento
W 106-100
Cedric Ceballos (31)
Elden Campbell (12)
Sedale Threatt (8)
ARCO Arena 17,317
3-4
8
November 15
Dallas
W 114-97
Cedric Ceballos (31)
Cedric Ceballos (13)
Nick Van Exel (12)
Great Western Forum 11,381
4-4
9
November 17
@
Vancouver
W 114-91
Nick Van Exel (25)
Cedric Ceballos (8)
Sedale Threatt (7)
General Motors Place 19,193
5-4
10
November 19
L.A. Clippers
W 109-88
Cedric Ceballos (25)
Cedric Ceballos (13)
Nick Van Exel (9)
Great Western Forum 15,617
6-4
11
November 21
Portland
L 108-109
Cedric Ceballos (38)
Vlade Divac (16)
Nick Van Exel (15)
Great Western Forum 10,836
6-5
12
November 24
Sacramento
L 98-99
Cedric Ceballos (23)
Cedric Ceballos (11)
Nick Van Exel (8)
Great Western Forum 16,343
6-6
13
November 25
@
Phoenix
L 113-114
Cedric Ceballos (34)
Elden Campbell (10)
Nick Van Exel (7)
American West Arena 19,023
6-7
14
November 29
Phoenix
W 107-96
Cedric Ceballos (24)
3 players tied (9)
3 players tied (6)
Great Western Forum 13,484
7-7
December: 9–8 (home: 6–1; road: 3–7)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
15
December 1
Vancouver
W 113-100
Cedric Ceballos (22)
Vlade Divac (13)
Nick Van Exel (16)
Great Western Forum 12,426
8-7
16
December 3
Indiana
W 104-96
Nick Van Exel (26)
Elden Campbell (10)
Threatt &
Van Exel (5)
Great Western Forum 14,223
9-7
17
December 5
@
San Antonio
L 89-117
Cedric Ceballos (16)
Cedric Ceballos (7)
3 players tied (4)
Alamodome 14,551
9-8
18
December 6
@
Houston
L 99-112
Cedric Ceballos (27)
Cedric Ceballos (17)
Sedale Threatt (9)
The Summit 16,285
9-9
19
December 8
Toronto
W 120-103
Jones &
Threatt (27)
Elden Campbell (12)
Eddie Jones (11)
Great Western Forum 12,982
10-9
20
December 10
Detroit
W 87-82
Cedric Ceballos (22)
Vlade Divac (13)
Divac &
Van Exel (6)
Great Western Forum 16,176
11-9
21
December 12
@
New York
L 82-97
Cedric Ceballos (26)
Cedric Ceballos (9)
Nick Van Exel (9)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
11-10
22
December 13
@
Detroit
W 101-98
Nick Van Exel (30)
Campbell &
Ceballos (8)
Nick Van Exel (7)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 14,579
12-10
23
December 15
@
Washington
L 114-122
Cedric Ceballos (33)
Elden Campbell (8)
Nick Van Exel (9)
US Airways Arena 18,756
12-11
24
December 16
@
Chicago
L 88-108
Cedric Ceballos (27)
Cedric Ceballos (9)
Sedale Threatt (4)
United Center 23,824
12-12
25
December 19
@
Milwaukee
W 109-105
Nick Van Exel (24)
Elden Campbell (9)
Nick Van Exel (7)
Bradley Center 14,488
13-12
26
December 20
@
Indiana
L 98-109
Nick Van Exel (20)
Vlade Divac (12)
Nick Van Exel (7)
Market Square Arena 15,870
13-13
27
December 22
Sacramento
W 116-83
Cedric Ceballos (27)
Elden Campbell (12)
Threatt &
Van Exel (9)
Great Western Forum 16,189
14-13
28
December 23
@
Portland
W 102-99
Cedric Ceballos (24)
Cedric Ceballos (11)
Peeler &
Threatt (5)
Rose Garden 21,401
15-13
29
December 26
Boston
W 102-91
Eddie Jones (19)
Vlade Divac (11)
Nick Van Exel (9)
Great Western Forum 14,324
16-13
30
December 28
San Antonio
L 99-107
Elden Campbell (25)
Elden Campbell (9)
Eddie Jones (9)
Great Western Forum 17,505
16-14
31
December 30
@
Utah
L 82-99
Cedric Ceballos (18)
Derek Strong (11)
Eddie Jones (7)
Delta Center 19,911
16-15
January: 9–3 (home: 5–3; road: 4–0)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
32
January 2
Philadelphia
L 89-90
Nick Van Exel (27)
Vlade Divac (14)
Nick Van Exel (9)
Great Western Forum 11,874
16-16
33
January 5
Utah
W 116-100
Cedric Ceballos (28)
Divac &
Jones (7)
Jones &
Van Exel (8)
Great Western Forum 16,369
17-16
34
January 7
Denver
L 93-96
Vlade Divac (21)
Campbell &
Divac (9)
Nick Van Exel (10)
Great Western Forum 13,845
17-17
35
January 9
Minnesota
W 106-104
Cedric Ceballos (29)
Corie Blount (9)
Nick Van Exel (9)
Great Western Forum 10,755
18-17
36
January 12
Houston
W 101-100
Vlade Divac (25)
Vlade Divac (11)
Nick Van Exel (11)
Great Western Forum 17,505
19-17
37
January 15
Miami
W 96-88
Eddie Jones (20)
Vlade Divac (17)
Nick Van Exel (6)
Great Western Forum 14,109
20-17
38
January 19
@
L.A. Clippers
W 106-100
Cedric Ceballos (25)
George Lynch (7)
3 players tied (4)
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 14,018
21-17
39
January 20
Cleveland
L 82-93
Nick Van Exel (17)
George Lynch (9)
Nick Van Exel (5)
Great Western Forum 15,380
21-18
40
January 24
@
Boston
W 124-107
Elden Campbell (26)
Vlade Divac (11)
Divac &
Van Exel (5)
Fleet Center 18,624
22-18
41
January 26
@
Philadelphia
W 100-88
Cedric Ceballos (31)
Elden Campbell (18)
Vlade Divac (7)
CoreStates Spectrum 16,129
23-18
42
January 27
@
New Jersey
W 100-98
Cedric Ceballos (29)
Elden Campbell (13)
Nick Van Exel (13)
Continental Airlines Arena 20,049
24-18
43
January 30
Golden State
W 128-118
Cedric Ceballos (33)
Campbell &
Divac (9)
Magic Johnson (10)
Great Western Forum 17,505
25-18
February: 10–2 (home: 6–1; road: 4–1)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
44
February 2
Chicago
L 84-99
Cedric Ceballos (23)
Elden Campbell (11)
Nick Van Exel (11)
Great Western Forum 17,505
25-19
45
February 4
Utah
W 110-103
Magic Johnson (21)
Vlade Divac (11)
Nick Van Exel (9)
Great Western Forum 17,505
26-19
46
February 6
@
Denver
W 99-78
Cedric Ceballos (27)
Vlade Divac (12)
Magic Johnson (12)
McNichols Sports Arena 17,171
27-19
47
February 7
New Jersey
W 106-96
Elden Campbell (19)
Elden Campbell (10)
Nick Van Exel (9)
Great Western Forum 16,481
28-19
All-Star Break
48
February 14
Atlanta
W 87-86
Elden Campbell (20)
Magic Johnson (10)
Magic Johnson (13)
Great Western Forum 16,792
29-19
49
February 16
Dallas
W 119-114
Magic Johnson (30)
Cedric Ceballos (11)
Magic Johnson (11)
Great Western Forum 17,505
30-19
50
February 20
L.A. Clippers
W 121-104
Vlade Divac (29)
Cedric Ceballos (10)
Nick Van Exel (11)
Great Western Forum 17,037
31-19
51
February 21
@
L.A. Clippers
W 112-108
Cedric Ceballos (23)
Elden Campbell (10)
Nick Van Exel (7)
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 16,021
32-19
52
February 23
@
Dallas
W 114-88
Cedric Ceballos (27)
Vlade Divac (18)
Nick Van Exel (10)
Reunion Arena 17,502
33-19
53
February 24
@
Houston
L 94-96
Cedric Ceballos (26)
Vlade Divac (12)
Nick Van Exel (7)
The Summit 16,285
33-20
54
February 26
New York
W 114-96
Cedric Ceballos (27)
Elden Campbell (10)
Nick Van Exel (9)
Great Western Forum 17,505
34-20
55
February 28
@
Vancouver
W 99-80
Cedric Ceballos (23)
Vlade Divac (17)
Elden Campbell (8)
General Motors Place 19,193
35-20
March: 10–5 (home: 3–4; road: 7–1)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
56
March 1
Washington
W 100-95
Cedric Ceballos (27)
Elden Campbell (12)
Nick Van Exel (4)
Great Western Forum 16,943
36-20
57
March 3
Houston
L 107-111
Nick Van Exel (21)
Elden Campbell (11)
Magic Johnson (5)
Great Western Forum 17,505
36-21
58
March 7
@
Sacramento
W 102-89
Elden Campbell (29)
Elden Campbell (11)
Magic Johnson (7)
ARCO Arena 17,317
37-21
59
March 8
@
Phoenix
W 119-97
Nick Van Exel (28)
Vlade Divac (14)
Nick Van Exel (13)
American West Arena 19,023
38-21
60
March 12
Portland
L 99-105
Elden Campbell (26)
Elden Campbell (11)
Johnson &
Van Exel (8)
Great Western Forum 16,971
38-22
61
March 14
@
Golden State
W 106-103
Magic Johnson (21)
Cedric Ceballos (9)
Nick Van Exel (7)
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena 15,025
39-22
62
March 15
Milwaukee
W 117-95
Magic Johnson (20)
Vlade Divac (15)
Magic Johnson (8)
Great Western Forum 17,505
40-22
63
March 17
Orlando
L 97-98
Campbell &
Van Exel (22)
Elden Campbell (10)
Johnson &
Van Exel (5)
Great Western Forum 17,505
40-23
64
March 19
Seattle
W 94-71
Eddie Jones (26)
Elden Campbell (10)
Magic Johnson (10)
Great Western Forum 17,505
41-23
65
March 21
@
Seattle
L 93-104
Nick Van Exel (26)
Vlade Divac (9)
Vlade Divac (4)
KeyArena 17,072
41-24
66
March 24
Charlotte
L 94-103
Magic Johnson (28)
Campbell &
Johnson (8)
Nick Van Exel (7)
Great Western Forum 17,505
41-25
67
March 26
@
Orlando
W 113-91
Nick Van Exel (22)
Elden Campbell (10)
Magic Johnson (7)
Orlando Arena 17,248
42-25
68
March 27
@
Miami
W 106-95
Magic Johnson (27)
Vlade Divac (12)
Magic Johnson (9)
Miami Arena 15,200
43-25
69
March 29
@
Atlanta
W 102-89
Anthony Peeler (25)
Magic Johnson (10)
Magic Johnson (9)
Omni Coliseum 16,378
44-25
70
March 31
@
Toronto
W 111-106
Vlade Divac (20)
Vlade Divac (19)
Magic Johnson (6)
SkyDome 36,046
45-25
April: 8–4 (home: 5–0; road: 3–4)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
71
April 2
@
Charlotte
L 97-102
Cedric Ceballos (35)
Cedric Ceballos (11)
Magic Johnson (10)
Charlotte Coliseum 24,042
45-26
72
April 3
@
Cleveland
L 89-105
Magic Johnson (26)
Magic Johnson (8)
Nick Van Exel (8)
Gund Arena 20,562
45-27
73
April 5
Vancouver
W 104-94
Eddie Jones (26)
Vlade Divac (10)
Vlade Divac (13)
Great Western Forum 17,505
46-27
74
April 7
San Antonio
W 107-97
Divac &
Jones (19)
Vlade Divac (11)
Magic Johnson (7)
Great Western Forum 17,130
47-27
75
April 9
@
Denver
L 91-98
Vlade Divac (19)
Vlade Divac (9)
3 players tied (4)
McNichols Sports Arena 17,171
47-28
76
April 10
@
Minnesota
W 111-90
Elden Campbell (28)
Magic Johnson (10)
Magic Johnson (11)
Target Center 19,006
48-28
77
April 12
Golden State
W 94-81
Vlade Divac (26)
Vlade Divac (10)
Magic Johnson (9)
Great Western Forum 17,505
49-28
78
April 14
Phoenix
W 118-114
Cedric Ceballos (23)
Vlade Divac (13)
Jones &
Threatt (7)
Great Western Forum 17,505
50-28
79
April 16
@
Dallas
W 113-95
Cedric Ceballos (23)
Elden Campbell (9)
Elden Campbell (9)
Reunion Arena 17,502
51-28
80
April 18
@
San Antonio
L 100-103
Elden Campbell (27)
Vlade Divac (10)
Sedale Threatt (8)
Alamodome 22,184
51-29
81
April 20
Minnesota
W 106-82
Cedric Ceballos (36)
Derek Strong (10)
Eddie Jones (8)
Great Western Forum 17,505
52-29
82
April 21
@
Portland
W 92-88
Jones &
Peeler (20)
Cedric Ceballos (7)
Magic Johnson (10)
Rose Garden 21,401
53-29
1995–96 schedule
Playoffs
1996 playoff game log Total: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
First round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
1996 schedule
Player statistics
NOTE: Please write the players statistics in alphabetical order by last name.
Season
Playoffs
Award winners
This section is empty. You can help by
adding to it .
(July 2010 )
Salaries
Player
Salary
Vlade Divac
$3,333,000
Sedale Threatt
$2,400,000
Cedric Ceballos
$2,245,000
Elden Campbell
$2,200,000
Nick Van Exel
$1,900,000
George Lynch
$1,760,000
Eddie Jones
$1,600,000
Anthony Peeler
$1,330,000
Corie Blount
$1,040,000
Derek Strong
$1,000,000
Magic Johnson
$1,000,000
Anthony Miller
$550,000
Fred Roberts
$225,000
Frankie King
$200,000
Player Salaries Citation:
[56]
Transactions
This section is empty. You can help by
adding to it .
(February 2013 )
References
^
1995-96 Los Angeles Lakers
^
"Magic's Return Reportedly Signed and Set for Tuesday" . Deseret News . Associated Press. January 29, 1996. Retrieved March 5, 2023 .
^ Friend, Tom (January 30, 1996).
"BASKETBALL; Johnson Finally Says the Magic Words: 'It's On' " . The New York Times . Retrieved April 26, 2022 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (January 30, 1996).
"MAGIC REAPPEARS: It's 'Go Time': Magic Moment Finally Happens" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved September 24, 2022 .
^ Claiborne, William (January 30, 1996).
"Magic Johnson Returns to NBA" . The Washington Post . Retrieved June 27, 2022 .
^
a
b Howard-Cooper, Scott (January 31, 1996).
"Simply Magical: Johnson Makes Emotional --and Hugely Successful--Return in Laker Victory" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved June 19, 2021 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (July 1, 1995).
"Lakers Acquire Corie Blount from Bulls" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved November 10, 2022 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (November 3, 1995).
"THE NBA: 1995-96: Greater Expectations: Lakers May Have Accomplished a Lot, But Now They're Really Thinking Big" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved November 10, 2022 .
^ Friend, Tom (January 31, 1996).
"PRO BASKETBALL; The Stars Are Out: It's Showtime Again for Lakers" . The New York Times . Retrieved January 15, 2022 .
^ Aldridge, David (January 31, 1996).
"For Lakers, It's Magic In the Air" . The Washington Post . Retrieved June 30, 2022 .
^ Reilly, Rick (February 12, 1996).
"Welcome Back! Magic Johnson Raised Goose Bumps, and Took His Lumps in an Electrifying Return to the NBA" . Sports Illustrated Vault . Retrieved April 6, 2023 .
^
"Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, January 30, 1996" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved October 10, 2022 .
^
"NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved July 18, 2022 .
^
"Ceballos Is Missing, Suspended" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. March 22, 1996. Retrieved November 1, 2016 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (March 25, 1996).
"Ceballos Returns, Blames Absence on Family Crisis" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 8, 2023 .
^
"SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Lakers Give Ceballos a Cold Shoulder" . The New York Times . March 26, 1996. Retrieved May 14, 2022 .
^ Taylor, Phil (April 1, 1996).
"ON SPRING BREAK: Cedric Ceballos's Unauthorized Vacation Threatened to Destroy the Chemistry That Had Made the Lakers a Contender Since Magic Johnson's Return" . Sports Illustrated Vault . Retrieved June 22, 2023 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (April 10, 1996).
"Van Exel Delivers Blow to Referee in Loss by Lakers" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 8, 2023 .
^ Litsky, Frank (April 11, 1996).
"PRO BASKETBALL; Van Exel Receives 7-Game Suspension" . The New York Times . Retrieved June 27, 2022 .
^
"Hitting Referee Costs Van Exel $187,000" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. April 11, 1996. Retrieved February 24, 2017 .
^
"Van Exel Shoves Ref, Nuggets Win" . The Washington Post . April 10, 1996. Retrieved June 22, 2023 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (April 15, 1996).
"Magic Gets Into the Act, Bumps Referee, Faces Ban" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved June 27, 2022 .
^ Litsky, Frank (April 16, 1996).
"PRO BASKETBALL; Lakers' Johnson Is Banned, Fined and Apologetic" . The New York Times . Retrieved January 15, 2022 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (April 16, 1996).
"Magic's Bump Rap: Three Games" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 8, 2023 .
^ Cotton, Anthony (April 16, 1996).
"Magic Johnson Suspended for Run-In with Referee" . The Washington Post . Retrieved June 22, 2023 .
^
"1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021 .
^ MacMullan, Jackie (February 5, 1996).
"Lakers Envision Johnson in Sixth-Man Role; Pricing Some Coveted Free Agents; Hawks Soar With Mookie" . Sports Illustrated Vault . Retrieved October 12, 2023 .
^ Cotton, Anthony (May 2, 1996).
"As Lakers Try to Go Forward, Magic Misses the Point" . The Washington Post . Retrieved October 12, 2023 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (March 8, 1996).
"Magic Reaches Big Milestone on Little Pass" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved October 12, 2023 .
^
"Jordan Rips Pistons for a Cool 53" . Deseret News . Associated Press. March 8, 1996. Retrieved October 12, 2023 .
^
"This Day in Lakers History: Magic Johnson Reaches 10,000 Career Assists" . Lakers Nation . Staff Writer. March 7, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023 .
^
"1995–96 NBA Awards Voting" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved January 2, 2022 .
^
"1995-96 Regular Season Award Winners" . Eskimo.com . Retrieved October 7, 2022 .
^
"1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021 .
^ Friend, Tom (May 3, 1996).
"NBA PLAYOFFS; Rockets Move On. Magic Might, Too" . The New York Times . Retrieved June 24, 2021 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 3, 1996).
"Show's Over" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved June 4, 2022 .
^ Cotton, Anthony (May 3, 1996).
"In Houston, No Magic Moment" . The Washington Post . Retrieved November 25, 2022 .
^
"1996 NBA Western Conference First Round: Rockets vs. Lakers" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved February 5, 2023 .
^
"Online Document: Magic Johnson Retires Again" . Deseret News . Associated Press. May 14, 1996. Retrieved April 4, 2023 .
^ Brown, Clifton (May 15, 1996).
"PRO BASKETBALL; Leaving on His Terms, Johnson Retires Again" . The New York Times . Retrieved January 15, 2022 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 15, 1996).
"Pooof!: Johnson Retires on His Terms This Time" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 8, 2023 .
^ Adande, J.A. (May 15, 1996).
"Magic Retires from Lakers" . The Washington Post . Retrieved January 8, 2023 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 16, 1996).
"Magic: This Is for Good" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved September 24, 2022 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 27, 1996).
"Kiss Vlade Goodbye?" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved December 1, 2022 .
^ Brown, Clifton (June 28, 1996).
"PRO BASKETBALL; With the Draft Over, Trading Season Begins" . The New York Times . Retrieved May 24, 2022 .
^
"SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Divac Agrees to a Trade with Charlotte" . The New York Times . July 2, 1996. Retrieved June 21, 2023 .
^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (July 12, 1996).
"Divac-for-Bryant Deal Done, Freeing Money for O'Neal" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved July 25, 2022 .
^ Heisler, Mark (July 21, 1996).
"A New Day for Vlade" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved July 26, 2021 .
^
"Laker Trade May Signal Big Deal" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. July 17, 1996. Retrieved January 1, 2022 .
^
"L.A. Trades for $$$, Not for New Talent" . Deseret News . Associated Press. July 17, 1996. Retrieved October 4, 2022 .
^
"Lakers Sweeten Deal, Offer Shaq $120 Million" . The Spokesman-Review . Wire Reports. July 18, 1996. Retrieved December 12, 2022 .
^ Povtak, Tim (August 27, 1996).
"Magic Add Strong, Delete Wolf" . Orlando Sentinel . Retrieved November 10, 2022 .
^
"Furthermore" . The Washington Post . August 27, 1996. Retrieved January 30, 2023 .
^ NY Times,
Johnson, Unbowed by H.I.V., Will Return to Pro Basketball , accessed June 1, 2007.
^ Schwartz, Larry.
"Magic made Showtime a show" . ESPN.com .
Archived from the original on September 12, 2007. Retrieved September 13, 2007 .
^
"1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers Salaries" . Basketball-Reference . Retrieved January 19, 2022 .
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