1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers season

The 1995–96 NBA season was the 48th season for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association, and their 36th season in Los Angeles, California.^[1] It was also the highlight of retired All-Star guard, and Lakers legend Magic Johnson making a comeback at the age of 36; Johnson had retired from the NBA early into the 1991–92 season due to his HIV infection.^[2][3][4] During the off-season, the team signed free agents Corie Blount and Derek Strong.^[5][6]

1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers season
Head coach	Del Harris
General manager	Jerry West
Owner(s)	Jerry Buss
Arena	Great Western Forum
Results
Record	53–29 (.646)
Place	Division: 2nd (Pacific) Conference: 4th (Western)
Playoff finish	First round (lost to Rockets 1–3)
Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
Television	KCAL-TV Prime Sports West
Radio	KLAC
< 1994–95 1996–97 >

The Lakers got off to a slow start by losing three of their first four games of the regular season, 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 at the Great Western Forum;^[7][8][9] Johnson scored 19 points along with 8 rebounds, 10 assists and 2 steals in 27 minutes off the bench.^[10] 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.^[11]

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.^[12][13][14] 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.^[15][16][17] Johnson was also suspended for three games for bumping into a referee during a home game against the Phoenix Suns on April 14.^[18][19][20] The Lakers finished in second place in the Pacific Division with a 53–29 record, and earned the fourth seed in the Western Conference.^[21]

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 led them with 144 three-point field goals, and Johnson played a sixth man role moving into the power forward position,^[22][23] 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.^[24][25][26] 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 105 three-point field goals, and Sedale Threatt provided with 7.3 points and 3.3 assists per game.^[27]

Johnson also finished in fifth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, and tied in twelfth place in Most Valuable Player voting,^[28] while Campbell finished in seventh place in Most Improved Player voting.^[28]

However, in the Western Conference First Round of the 1996 NBA playoffs, the Lakers lost to the 5th-seeded, and 2-time defending champion Houston Rockets in four games;^[29][30][31] after the defeat, Johnson decided to retire for the second time and for good.^[32][33][34]

Also following the season, Divac was traded to the Charlotte Hornets,^[35][36][37] while Peeler and George Lynch were both dealt to the Vancouver Grizzlies,^[38][39][40] Strong signed as a free agent with the Orlando Magic,^[41][42] and Threatt was released to free agency.

NBA draft

Main article: 1995 NBA draft

Round	Pick	Player	Position	Nationality	College
2	37	Frankie King	Guard	United States	Western Carolina

Roster

1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From F 43 Corie Blount 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1969–01–04 Cincinnati F 41 Elden Campbell 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1968–07–23 Clemson F 23 Cedric Ceballos 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1969–08–02 Cal State Fullerton C 12 Vlade Divac 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) 243 lb (110 kg) 1968–02–03 Yugoslavia F 32 Magic Johnson 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1959–08–14 Michigan State G 25 Eddie Jones 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1971–10–20 Temple G 4 Frankie King  6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1972–06–06 Western Carolina F 34 George Lynch 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 1970–09–03 North Carolina F 2 Anthony Miller  6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1971–10–22 Michigan State G 1 Anthony Peeler 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 208 lb (94 kg) 1969–11–25 Missouri C 24 Fred Roberts 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 218 lb (99 kg) 1960–08–14 BYU F 7 Derek Strong 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1968–02–09 Xavier G 3 Sedale Threatt 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1961–09–10 West Virginia Tech G 9 Nick Van Exel 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1971–11–27 Cincinnati

Head coach Del Harris Assistant(s) Bill Bertka Michael Cooper Larry Drew Kurt Rambis Legend (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured Roster

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,^[43] 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."^[44]

Season standings

Pacific Division v t e	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 v t e
#	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

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) 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

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

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

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.

Player Statistics Citation:^[27]

Award winners

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:^[45]

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