1995–96 Portland Trail Blazers season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 October 2020 Portland Trail Blazers 1996 44 38 Pacific 4 6 P. J. Carlesimo Rose Garden Arena KGWPrime Sports Northwest KEX First round(lost to Jazz 2–3) POR The 1995–96 Portland Trail Blazers season was the 26th season for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association. Portland Trail Blazers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/ August 9, 2026 Season summary Off-season After spending their first 25 years at the Memorial Coliseum, the team began playing at the new Rose Garden Arena this season. Associated Press Grizzlies Win Behind Benjamin The New York Times November 4, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/04/sports/grizzlies-win-behind-benjamin.html May 25, 2022 Staff and Wire Reports NBA Roundup: Grizzlies, Raptors Welcome Reality with Big Victories Los Angeles Times November 4, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-11-04-sp-64703-story.html November 18, 2022 The Trail Blazers acquired the eighth overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft from the Detroit Pistons via trade, and selected shooting guard Shawn Respert out of Michigan State University, but soon traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for rookie power forward, and first-round draft pick Gary Trent out of Ohio University. Wise Mike Pro Basketball: Underclassmen Rule Atop N.B.A. Draft Board The New York Times June 29, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/29/sports/pro-basketball-underclassmen-rule-atop-nba-draft-board.html July 25, 2021 Heisler Mark NBA Is a Young Man's Game: Draft: Smith, McDyess, Stackhouse, Wallace and Garnett Lead the Way Los Angeles Times June 29, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-06-29-sp-18377-story.html December 3, 2022 1995 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1995.html December 1, 2022 During the off-season, the team signed free agent and second-year forward Dontonio Wingfield. Rookie center Arvydas Sabonis from Lithuania, who was drafted by the Trail Blazers as the 24th overall pick in the 1986 NBA draft, made his debut in the NBA this season. Staff and Wire Reports NBA Locks Out Refs After Pledge Rejected Los Angeles Times September 30, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-30-sp-51685-story.html January 30, 2023 Schabner Dean Sabonis at Home in NBA United Press International February 10, 1996 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/02/10/Sabonis-at-home-in-NBA/7172823928400/ June 19, 2021 Taylor Phil Catch This!: With a Big Assist from Aged Rookie Arvydas Sabonis, the Blazers Are Suddenly Red-Hot Sports Illustrated Vault April 22, 1996 https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/04/22/catch-this-with-a-big-assist-from-aged-rookie-arvydas-sabonis-the-blazers-are-suddenly-red-hot July 5, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20210925064722/https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/04/22/catch-this-with-a-big-assist-from-aged-rookie-arvydas-sabonis-the-blazers-are-suddenly-red-hot September 25, 2021 dead Regular season With the addition of Sabonis and Trent, the Trail Blazers struggled losing six of their first nine games of the regular season, but then won eight of their next eleven games. However, the team posted a six-game losing streak afterwards, and later on held a 24–24 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/index.fcgi?month=2&day=8&year=1996 July 18, 2022 The Trail Blazers fell below .500 in winning percentage by losing ten of their next twelve games, holding a 26–34 record as of March 5, 1996. However, the team won 18 of their final 22 games of the season, which included a six-game winning streak in March, and a seven-game winning streak between March and April. The Trail Blazers finished in fourth place in the Pacific Division with a 44–38 record, which was the same record as the previous season, and earned the sixth seed in the Western Conference; 1995–96 Portland Trail Blazers Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1996_games.html June 21, 2021 the team qualified for the NBA playoffs for the 14th consecutive year, and also for the 19th time in 20 years. Clifford Robinson averaged 21.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, and led the Trail Blazers with 178 three-point field goals, while Rod Strickland averaged 18.7 points, 9.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game, and Sabonis provided the team with 14.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. In addition, second-year guard Aaron McKie contributed 10.7 points per game, while Harvey Grant provided with 9.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. Off the bench, James Robinson contributed 8.5 points per game and 102 three-point field goals, and Trent provided with 7.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. On the defensive side, Buck Williams averaged 7.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game off the bench, and Chris Dudley contributed 5.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. 1995–96 Portland Trail Blazers Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1996.html June 21, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, Clifford Robinson participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout, Pro Basketball The Gainesville Sun February 10, 1996 15 https://books.google.com/books?id=n0RWAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA31&dq=1996+nba+rookie+game+stoudamire+stackhouse+wallace+henderson&article_id=3767,2375962&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiSk6WGtuCPAxVxmYkEHfeFOUcQ6AF6BAgGEAM#v=onepage&q=1996%20nba%20rookie%20game%20stoudamire%20stackhouse%20wallace%20henderson&f=false September 18, 2025 NBA & ABA All-Star Game Contest Winners Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/contest.html September 18, 2025 while Sabonis was selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as a member of the Western Conference Rookie team. 1996 NBA Rising Stars: East 94, West 92 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1996_rookie.html September 18, 2025 Sabonis finished in second place in Rookie of the Year voting, behind Damon Stoudamire of the expansion Toronto Raptors, Associated Press Rookie Award to Stoudamire The New York Times May 16, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/16/sports/rookie-award-to-stoudamire.html May 25, 2022 1995–96 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1996.html January 6, 2025 and also finished in second place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, behind Toni Kukoč of the Chicago Bulls. Kukoc Named Best of the Bench The Washington Post May 15, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/05/15/kukoc-named-best-of-the-bench/ef224c62-5257-45e0-8684-4bde346b122a/ January 30, 2023 The Trail Blazers finished fourth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 848,055 at the Rose Garden Arena during the regular season. 1995–96 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1996.html October 10, 2025 In addition, this season also saw the Trail Blazers fail to sell out a home game, ending their 814-game sellout streak, for the first time since 1977;Warriors Conclude 2023-24 Regular Season With 518 Consecutive Sellouts https://www.nba.com/warriors/news/warriors-extend-sellout-streak-20240415 2024-12-05 www.nba.com en this streak would be the longest in NBA history until the Dallas Mavericks broke it during the 2019–20 season.Rader Doyle Dallas Mavericks Break The NBA’s Consecutive Sellout Record https://www.forbes.com/sites/doylerader/2020/02/21/dallas-mavericks-break-nba-consecutive-sellout-record/ 2024-12-05 Forbes en NBA playoffs In the Western Conference First Round of the 1996 NBA playoffs, the Trail Blazers faced off against the 3rd–seeded Utah Jazz, who were led by the trio of All-Star forward Karl Malone, All-Star guard John Stockton, and Jeff Hornacek. The Trail Blazers lost the first two games to the Jazz on the road at the Delta Center, but managed to win the next two games at home, which included a Game 4 win over the Jazz at the Rose Garden Arena, 98–90 to even the series. Associated Press  Online Document: Trail Blazers Get Even, Bring Whole Show Back to S.L.  Deseret News  May 1, 1996  https://www.deseret.com/1996/5/1/19240257/online-document-trail-blazers-get-even-bring-whole-show-back-to-s-l/ June 9, 2026 Evans Richard  De-Jazz Vu All Over Again? Red-Hot Blazers Force Game 5  Deseret News  May 2, 1996  https://www.deseret.com/1996/5/2/19239811/de-jazz-vu-all-over-again-red-hot-blazers-force-game-5/ June 9, 2026 1996 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 4: Utah Jazz at Portland Trail Blazers Box Score, May 1, 1996 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199605010POR.html June 7, 2026 However, the Trail Blazers lost Game 5 to the Jazz at the Delta Center, suffering a 38-point margin by a score of 102–64, thus losing in a hard-fought five-game series; it was the fourth consecutive year that the Trail Blazers lost in the opening round of the NBA playoffs. Mims Bob Jazz 102, Trail Blazers 64 Associated Press May 5, 1996 https://apnews.com/article/318d688afb2df6c3738277bddc454a1d November 25, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221125211351/https://apnews.com/article/318d688afb2df6c3738277bddc454a1d November 25, 2022 dead Associated Press Portland Makes History in Worst Possible Way Los Angeles Times May 6, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-05-06-sp-1038-story.html June 24, 2021 1996 NBA Western Conference First Round: Trail Blazers vs. Jazz Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1996-nba-western-conference-first-round-trail-blazers-vs-jazz.html February 5, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Strickland, who feuded with head coach P.J. Carlesimo during the regular season, Associated Press Portland Suspends Strickland Los Angeles Times February 23, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-02-23-sp-39175-story.html March 1, 2017 Sports People: Basketball: Strickland Is No-Show at Practice The New York Times February 25, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/02/25/sports/sports-people-basketball-strickland-is-no-show-at-practice.html January 30, 2023 Associated Press Suspended Strickland Still AWOL Deseret News February 25, 1996 https://www.deseret.com/1996/2/25/19226936/suspended-strickland-still-awol January 30, 2023 was traded along with Grant to the Washington Bullets, whom Grant used to play for, Bembry Jerry Bullets Get Strickland, Grant from Trail Blazers; Washington Deals Wallace and Butler, Signs Murray; Rockets Get Brent Price The Baltimore Sun July 16, 1996 https://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/07/16/bullets-get-strickland-grant-from-trail-blazers-washington-deals-wallace-and-butler-signs-murray-rockets-get-brent-price/ December 3, 2022 Blazers Trade Strickland to Bullets Tampa Bay Times July 16, 1996 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/07/16/blazers-trade-strickland-to-bullets/ https://web.archive.org/web/20230620212923/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/07/16/blazers-trade-strickland-to-bullets/ dead June 20, 2023 June 20, 2023 Asher Mark Strickland Decision Has Bullets on Hold The Washington Post July 22, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/07/22/strickland-decision-has-bullets-on-hold/5627bb16-1e28-45aa-9a1f-349a2e370ba7/ July 24, 2022 while Williams signed as a free agent with the New York Knicks, Roberts Selena Pro Basketball: Knicks Seal Up Buck Williams The New York Times July 27, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/27/sports/pro-basketball-knicks-seal-up-buck-williams.html December 30, 2021 Knicks Sign Buck; Bucks Sign Allen Tampa Bay Times July 27, 1996 https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/07/27/knicks-sign-buck-bucks-sign-allen/ July 24, 2022 Markowitz Dan Revamped Knicks Assessing Strengths The New York Times October 20, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/20/nyregion/revamped-knicks-assessing-strengths.html January 4, 2023 and James Robinson was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Staff and Wire Reports Portland Gets Rider, Signs Anderson Los Angeles Times July 24, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-24-sp-27516-story.html November 10, 2022 Rider Traded to Blazers for 2 Players United Press International July 24, 1996 http://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/07/24/Rider-traded-to-Blazers-for-2-players/8450838180800/ June 30, 2022 Draft picks 1995 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team 1 8 Shawn Respert SG/PG United States Michigan State Roster Portland Trail Blazers 1995–96 #000000 #FFFFFF #d1210a #FFFFFF 12 Randolph Childress G 6 2 188 1972–09–21 Wake Forest yes 38 Anthony Cook basketball F 6 9 205 1967–03–19 Arizona – Bill Curley F 6 9 220 1972–05–29 Boston College yes IN 24 Chris Dudley C 6 11 235 1965–02–22 Yale 44 Harvey Grant F 6 8 195 1965–07–04 Oklahoma 23 Aaron McKie G 6 5 209 1972–10–02 Temple 3 Clifford Robinson basketball, born 1966 F 6 10 225 1966–12–16 Connecticut 26 James Robinson basketball, born 1970 G 6 2 180 1970–08–31 Alabama 21 Rumeal Robinson G 6 2 195 1966–11–13 Michigan 11 Arvydas Sabonis C 7 3 279 1964–12–19 Lithuania 27 Elmore Spencer C 7 0 270 1969–12–06 UNLV 1 Rod Strickland G 6 3 175 1966–07–11 DePaul 33 Gary Trent F 6 8 250 1974–09–22 Ohio 52 Buck Williams F 6 8 215 1960–03–08 Maryland 10 Dontonio Wingfield F 6 8 256 1974–06–23 Cincinnati P. J. Carlesimo Rick Carlisle Johnny Davis Dick Harter (IN) Inactive https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/1996.html Roster Notes Power forward Bill Curley was on the injured reserve list due to an ankle injury, missed the entire regular season, and never played for the Trail Blazers. Wire Reports Injuries Threat to Ford's Job The Spokesman-Review March 17, 1998 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1998/mar/17/injuries-threat-to-fords-job/ May 1, 2023 Regular season Season standings POR POR z – clinched division title y – clinched division title x – clinched playoff spot Game log Playoffs Portland Trail Blazers 1996 yes #000000 #BE0032 Portland Trail Blazers First round yes no yes #BE0032 #FFFFFF 2 0 0 3 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 25 | @ Utah | L 102–110 | Rod Strickland (27) | Chris Dudley (10) | Rod Strickland (12) | Delta Center19,614 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 27 | @ Utah | L 90–105 | Arvydas Sabonis (26) | Arvydas Sabonis (12) | Rod Strickland (7) | Delta Center19,911 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 3 | April 29 | Utah | W 94–91 (OT) | Arvydas Sabonis (27) | Arvydas Sabonis (12) | Rod Strickland (8) | Rose Garden21,401 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 4 | May 1 | Utah | W 98–90 | Rod Strickland (27) | Arvydas Sabonis (13) | Rod Strickland (7) | Rose Garden21,401 | 2–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 5 | May 5 | @ Utah | L 64–102 | Arvydas Sabonis (14) | Arvydas Sabonis (8) | Rod Strickland (8) | Delta Center19,682 | 2–3 |- POR 1996 yes Player statistics Regular season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGAaron McKie 81 73 27.9 .467 .325 .764 3.8 2.5 1.1 .3 10.7Chris Dudley 80 61 24.1 .453 .000 .510 9.0 .5 .5 1.3 5.1Clifford Robinson basketball, born 1966 78 76 38.2 .423 .378 .664 5.7 2.4 1.1 .9 21.1Harvey Grant 76 75 31.5 .462 .313 .545 4.8 1.5 .8 .6 9.3James Robinson basketball, born 1970 76 5 21.4 .399 .359 .659 2.1 2.0 .4 .2 8.5Arvydas Sabonis 73 21 23.8 .545 .375 .757 8.1 1.8 .9 1.1 14.5Buck Williams 70 10 23.9 .500 .667 .668 5.8 .6 .6 .7 7.3Gary Trent 69 10 17.7 .513 .000 .553 3.4 .7 .4 .2 7.5Rod Strickland 67 63 37.7 .460 .342 .652 4.4 9.6 1.4 .2 18.7Dontonio Wingfield 44 2 11.1 .382 .302 .765 2.4 .6 .5 .1 3.8Rumeal Robinson 43 14 16.6 .416 .380 .647 1.8 3.3 .6 .1 5.7Randolph Childress 28 0 8.9 .316 .277 .815 .7 1.1 .3 .0 3.0Anthony Cook basketball 11 0 5.5 .438 .000 .250 1.1 .2 .0 .1 1.4Elmore Spencer† 11 0 3.4 .417 .667 .8 .1 .0 .2 1.3Reggie Slater† 4 0 5.0 .600 .8 .0 .3 .5 1.5 Playoffs PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGRod Strickland 5 5 40.4 .440 .500 .639 6.2 8.4 1.0 .0 20.6Clifford Robinson basketball, born 1966 5 5 36.2 .344 .261 .757 3.6 1.6 1.4 1.0 15.2Arvydas Sabonis 5 5 35.4 .432 .556 .717 10.2 1.8 .8 .6 23.6Harvey Grant 5 5 32.8 .342 .143 .000 4.0 .8 .0 .4 5.4Aaron McKie 5 4 26.8 .367 .250 .778 3.6 1.8 1.2 .4 6.2Buck Williams 5 1 26.6 .391 .500 .714 5.0 .2 .2 .8 4.8Chris Dudley 5 0 18.4 .385 .667 5.4 .2 .4 .4 2.8Dontonio Wingfield 5 0 12.4 .381 .600 .333 2.8 .8 .0 .0 4.8Rumeal Robinson 5 0 8.6 .421 .444 .250 .4 .6 .6 .0 4.2James Robinson basketball, born 1970 2 0 13.0 .300 .333 .5 1.5 .5 .5 4.0Gary Trent 2 0 5.0 .250 .5 .0 .5 .0 1.0Elmore Spencer 1 0 1.0 .000 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0 † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Trail Blazers only. Player statistics citation: Awards and honors Arvydas Sabonis, All-NBA Rookie First Team Transactions Free agents SubtractionsPlayerDate signedNew teamJerome KerseyExpansion Draft June 24, 1995Toronto Raptors References Category:Portland Trail Blazers seasons Portland Trail Blazers 1995 Portland Trail Blazers 1996 Port Port Port