Wikipedia

1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers 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 at the age of 36.[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]

1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers season
Head coachDel Harris
General managerJerry West
Owner(s)Jerry Buss
ArenaGreat Western Forum
Results
Record53–29 (.646)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Pacific)
Conference: 4th (Western)
Playoff finishFirst round
(lost to Rockets 1–3)
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionKCAL-TV
Prime Sports West
RadioKLAC
< 1994–95 1996–97 >

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 SuperSonics 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 in second place 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][32] and finished in fifth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.[33][34] 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.[35]

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;[36][37][38][39] after the defeat, Magic decided to retire for the second time and for good.[40][41][42][43][44]

Also following the season, Divac was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for 1996 NBA draftee, and high school basketball star Kobe Bryant,[45][46][47][48][49] while Peeler and George Lynch were both dealt to the Vancouver Grizzlies,[50][51][52] Strong signed as a free agent with the Orlando Magic,[53][54] and Threatt was released to free agency.

NBA draft

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Main article: 1995 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College
2 37 Frankie King Guard   United States Western Carolina

Roster

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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
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  •   Injured

Roster

Regular season

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Magic's Comeback

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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,[55] 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."[56]

Season standings

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Pacific Division
 W L PCT GB Home Road Div
c-Seattle SuperSonics 64 18 .780 – 38–3 26–15 21–3
x-Los Angeles Lakers 53 29 .646 11 30–11 23–18 17–7
x-Portland Trail Blazers 44 38 .537 20 26–15 18–23 11–13
x-Phoenix Suns 41 41 .500 23 25–16 16–25 9–15
x-Sacramento Kings 39 43 .476 25 26–15 13–28 11–13
Golden State Warriors 36 46 .439 28 23–18 13–28 7–17
Los Angeles Clippers 29 53 .354 35 19–22 10–31 7–17
Western Conference
# Team W L PCT GB GP
1 c-Seattle SuperSonics * 64 18 .780 – 82
2 y-San Antonio Spurs * 59 23 .720 5 82
3 x-Utah Jazz 55 27 .671 9 82
4 x-Los Angeles Lakers 53 29 .646 11 82
5 x-Houston Rockets 48 34 .585 16 82
6 x-Portland Trail Blazers 44 38 .537 20 82
7 x-Phoenix Suns 41 41 .500 23 82
8 x-Sacramento Kings 39 43 .476 25 82
9 Golden State Warriors 36 46 .439 28 82
10 Denver Nuggets 35 47 .427 29 82
11 Los Angeles Clippers 29 53 .354 35 82
12 Minnesota Timberwolves 26 56 .317 38 82
13 Dallas Mavericks 26 56 .317 38 82
14 Vancouver Grizzlies 15 67 .183 49 82

Record vs. opponents

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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

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Regular Season

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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

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1996 playoff game log
Total: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
First round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Series
1 April 25 Houston L 83–87 Cedric Ceballos (22) Magic Johnson (13) Nick Van Exel (8) Great Western Forum
17,505 		0–1
2 April 27 Houston W 104–94 Magic Johnson (26) Vlade Divac (12) Magic Johnson (5) Great Western Forum
17,505 		1–1
3 April 30 @ Houston L 98–104 Elden Campbell (18) Elden Campbell (10) Magic Johnson (13) The Summit
16,285 		1–2
4 May 2 @ Houston L 94–102 Cedric Ceballos (25) Cedric Ceballos (12) Nick Van Exel (11) The Summit
16,285 		1–3
1996 schedule

Player statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season

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Los Angeles Lakers statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Corie Blount 57 2 12.5 .473 .000 .568 3.0 .7 .4 .6 3.2
Elden Campbell 82 82 32.9 .503 .000 .713 7.6 2.2 1.1 2.6 13.9
Cedric Ceballos 78 71 33.7 .530 .277 .804 6.9 1.5 1.2 .3 21.2
Vlade Divac 79 79 31.3 .513 .167 .641 8.6 3.3 1.0 1.7 12.9
Magic Johnson 32 9 29.9 .466 .379 .856 5.7 6.9 .8 .4 14.6
Eddie Jones 70 66 31.2 .492 .366 .739 3.3 3.5 1.8 .6 12.8
Frankie King 6 0 3.3 .273 .000 .333 .3 .3 .3 .0 1.2
George Lynch 76 6 13.3 .430 .308 .663 2.8 .7 .6 .1 3.8
Anthony Miller 27 0 4.6 .429 .000 .600 .9 .1 .1 .0 1.3
Anthony Peeler 73 12 22.0 .452 .413 .709 1.9 1.6 .8 .1 9.7
Fred Roberts 33 1 9.6 .495 .286 .786 1.4 .8 .5 .1 3.7
Derek Strong 63 0 11.8 .426 .111 .812 2.8 .5 .3 .2 3.4
Sedale Threatt 82 8 20.6 .458 .355 .761 1.2 3.3 .8 .1 7.3
Nick Van Exel 74 74 34.0 .417 .357 .799 2.4 6.9 .9 .1 14.9

Playoffs

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Los Angeles Lakers statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Elden Campbell 4 4 32.3 .513 .000 .500 8.0 2.0 .3 2.3 12.0
Cedric Ceballos 4 4 35.5 .484 .313 .917 8.3 1.3 1.0 .3 19.0
Vlade Divac 4 4 28.8 .429 .200 .625 7.5 2.0 .0 1.3 9.0
Magic Johnson 4 0 33.8 .385 .333 .848 8.5 6.5 .0 .0 15.3
Eddie Jones 4 4 38.8 .551 .526 .625 5.3 1.5 2.0 .3 17.3
George Lynch 2 0 7.5 .500 .000 1.5 .5 .0 .0 2.0
Anthony Peeler 3 0 24.0 .333 .429 1.000 2.7 1.0 2.0 .0 9.3
Fred Roberts 1 0 3.0 .000 3.0 .0 .0 .0 .0
Sedale Threatt 4 0 14.3 .222 .182 .8 1.0 .5 .0 2.5
Nick Van Exel 4 4 34.3 .296 .313 .769 4.0 6.8 .5 .0 11.8
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Lakers only.

Award winners

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Salaries

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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:[57]

Transactions

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References

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  1. ^ 1995-96 Los Angeles Lakers
  2. ^ "Magic's Return Reportedly Signed and Set for Tuesday". Deseret News. Associated Press. January 29, 1996. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  3. ^ Friend, Tom (January 30, 1996). "BASKETBALL; Johnson Finally Says the Magic Words: "It's On"". The New York Times. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
  4. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (January 30, 1996). "MAGIC REAPPEARS: It's "Go Time": Magic Moment Finally Happens". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
  5. ^ Claiborne, William (January 30, 1996). "Magic Johnson Returns to NBA". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
  6. ^ 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.
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  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ Aldridge, David (January 31, 1996). "For Lakers, It's Magic In the Air". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
  11. ^ 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.
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  14. ^ "Ceballos Is Missing, Suspended". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. March 22, 1996. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
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  16. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Lakers Give Ceballos a Cold Shoulder". The New York Times. March 26, 1996. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (April 10, 1996). "Van Exel Delivers Blow to Referee in Loss by Lakers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
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  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ Cotton, Anthony (May 2, 1996). "As Lakers Try to Go Forward, Magic Misses the Point". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  29. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (March 8, 1996). "Magic Reaches Big Milestone on Little Pass". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  30. ^ "Jordan Rips Pistons for a Cool 53". Deseret News. Associated Press. March 8, 1996. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  31. ^ "Fronts Magic Milestone". The Union Democrat. Associated Press. March 8, 1996. p. 3C. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  32. ^ "This Day in Lakers History: Magic Johnson Reaches 10,000 Career Assists". Lakers Nation. Staff Writer. March 7, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  33. ^ "1995–96 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  34. ^ "1995–96 Regular Season Award Winners". Eskimo.com. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
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  36. ^ Friend, Tom (May 3, 1996). "NBA PLAYOFFS; Rockets Move On. Magic Might, Too". The New York Times. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  37. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 3, 1996). "Show's Over". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  38. ^ Cotton, Anthony (May 3, 1996). "In Houston, No Magic Moment". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
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  40. ^ "Online Document: Magic Johnson Retires Again". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 14, 1996. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
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  43. ^ Adande, J.A. (May 15, 1996). "Magic Retires from Lakers". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
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  45. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 27, 1996). "Kiss Vlade Goodbye?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
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  47. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Divac Agrees to a Trade with Charlotte". The New York Times. July 2, 1996. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
  48. ^ Howard-Cooper, Scott (July 12, 1996). "Divac-for-Bryant Deal Done, Freeing Money for O'Neal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  49. ^ Heisler, Mark (July 21, 1996). "A New Day for Vlade". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
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  51. ^ "L.A. Trades for $$$, Not for New Talent". Deseret News. Associated Press. July 17, 1996. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
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  53. ^ Povtak, Tim (August 27, 1996). "Magic Add Strong, Delete Wolf". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
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