1995–96 Cleveland Cavaliers season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Cleveland Cavaliers 1996 47 35 central 3 4 Mike Fratello Gund Arena SportsChannel Ohio WUAB WWWE First round(lost to Knicks 0–3) CLE The 1995–96 Cleveland Cavaliers season was the 26th season for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the National Basketball Association. Cleveland Cavaliers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/ August 6, 2026 This was the first season since 1985–86 that Mark Price was not on the opening day roster. Season summary Off-season The Cavaliers had the 17th overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft, and selected shooting guard Bob Sura out of Florida State 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 March 24, 2026 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 March 24, 2026 1995 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1995.html March 24, 2026 During the off-season, the team acquired All-Star guard, and three-point specialist Dan Majerle from the Phoenix Suns, Associated Press Suns Trade Majerle to Cavs The New York Times October 8, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/08/sports/suns-trade-majerle-to-cavs.html March 19, 2022 Associated Press Suns Trade Majerle for "Hot Rod" Williams: Pro Basketball: The Cavaliers Also Get Lang and a First-Round Draft Pick from Phoenix Los Angeles Times October 8, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-10-08-sp-54644-story.html June 30, 2022 Associated Press Suns Deal Majerle, Lang, No. 1 Pick for Cavs' Hot Rod Deseret News October 8, 1995 https://www.deseret.com/1995/10/8/19197334/suns-deal-majerle-lang-no-1-pick-for-cavs-hot-rod July 24, 2022 and acquired 2-time Slam Dunk champion Harold Miner from the Miami Heat. Sports People: Basketball: Cavaliers Acquire Miner from Heat The New York Times June 16, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/16/sports/sports-people-basketball-cavaliers-acquire-miner-from-heat.html January 30, 2023 Staff and Wire Reports Heat's Miner Gets New Life with Cavaliers Los Angeles Times June 16, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-06-16-sp-13650-story.html?_amp=true January 1, 2022 Regular season Despite the addition of Majerle and Sura, the Cavaliers struggled losing their first seven games of the regular season. After the first two games, Tyrone Hill was seriously injured in a car accident and missed 38 games; Cavs' Hill to Miss Two Weeks United Press International November 10, 1995 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/11/10/Cavs-Hill-to-miss-two-weeks/1063815979600/ May 14, 2022 Berger Ken Cleveland's Hill Returns to Top Form After Accident The Seattle Times December 22, 1996 https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19961222&slug=2366425 January 13, 2023 Robbins Liz Rebound of a Lifetime for the Cavaliers' Hill The Washington Post March 7, 1997 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1997/03/07/rebound-of-a-lifetime-for-the-cavaliers-hill/cf440d0c-1a9b-4db5-b9ec-b6eba54a9293/ May 14, 2022 however, Hill eventually returned in the second half of the season playing off the bench, being replaced by Michael Cage as the team's starting center. The Cavaliers played above .500 in winning percentage for the remainder of the season, and held a 26–20 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 team posted an eight-game winning streak between January and February, and posted a 10–2 record in February. The Cavaliers finished in third place in the Central Division with a 47–35 record, earned the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, and qualified for the NBA playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. 1995–96 Cleveland Cavaliers Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1996_games.html June 21, 2021 Terrell Brandon continued to show improvement, averaging 19.3 points, 6.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game, while Chris Mills averaged 15.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and Bobby Phills provided the team with 14.6 points, 3.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game, and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. In addition, Danny Ferry became the team's starting power forward, and contributed 13.3 points per game and 143 three-point field goals, while Majerle played a sixth man role off the bench, averaging 10.6 points per game, and leading the Cavaliers with 146 three-point field goals, and Cage provided with 6.0 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Off the bench, Hill averaged 7.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and Sura contributed 5.3 points and 2.9 assists per game. 1995–96 Cleveland Cavaliers Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1996.html June 21, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, Brandon was selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference All-Star team; it was his first ever All-Star appearance. Heisler Mark NBA Has All-Stars in Its Eyes Los Angeles Times February 11, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-02-11-sp-34849-story.html January 2, 2023 NBA.com Staff 1996 NBA All-Star Recap NBA.com September 13, 2021 https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-star-recap-1996 May 16, 2023 1996 NBA All-Star Game: East 129, West 118 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1996.html November 27, 2021 Meanwhile, Sura was selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as a member of the Eastern Conference Rookie team. 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 1996 NBA Rising Stars: East 94, West 92 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1996_rookie.html September 18, 2025 Brandon finished tied in 16th place in Most Valuable Player voting, 1995–96 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1996.html January 6, 2025 and also finished tied in third place along with Ferry in Most Improved Player voting, while Phills finished tied in eighth place,Associated Press Muresan Is Named NBA's Most Improved Deseret News May 3, 1996 https://www.deseret.com/1996/5/3/19240030/muresan-is-named-nba-s-most-improved/ July 2, 2025 and head coach Mike Fratello finished in second place in Coach of the Year voting, behind Phil Jackson of the Chicago Bulls. Bulls' Jackson NBA Coach of Year United Press International May 7, 1996 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/05/07/Bulls-Jackson-NBA-Coach-of-Year/1100831441600/ October 7, 2022 For the second straight season, the Cavaliers were known as a low-scoring, defensive team led by Fratello's slow-paced, defensive coaching style. Araton Harvey Low Scores a Result of Imprecise Shooting The New York Times March 3, 1997 https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/03/sports/low-scores-a-result-of-imprecise-shooting.html August 26, 2025 Blast from the Past: Winning Ugly NBA.com September 27, 2011 https://www.nba.com/cavaliers/news/blast_fratello_110927.html August 26, 2025 The team finished 28th in the NBA in scoring averaging 91.1 points per game, while allowing 88.5 points per game from their opponents, which was the best in the league; the Cavaliers' scoring average was the second-lowest during the regular season, as the expansion Vancouver Grizzlies finished last in the league averaging 89.8 points per game. 1995–96 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1996.html August 26, 2025 The Cavaliers finished eleventh in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 730,095 at the Gund Arena during the regular season. NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1996 NBA playoffs, and for the second consecutive year, the Cavaliers faced off against the 5th–seeded New York Knicks, who were led by All-Star center Patrick Ewing, Anthony Mason and John Starks. Despite both teams finishing with the same regular-season record, the Cavaliers had home-court advantage in the series. However, the Cavaliers lost the first two games to the Knicks at home at the Gund Arena, before losing Game 3 on the road, 81–76 at Madison Square Garden, thus losing the series in a three-game sweep. Schabner Dean Knicks 81, Cavaliers 76 United Press International May 1, 1996 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/05/01/Knicks-81-Cavaliers-76/9614830923200/ November 25, 2022 Wise Mike NBA Playoffs: A Chance to Shoot Down Bulls Is as Easy as 1-2-3 The New York Times May 2, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/02/sports/nba-playoffs-a-chance-to-shoot-down-bulls-is-as-easy-as-1-2-3.html July 3, 2021 1996 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Knicks vs. Cavaliers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1996-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-knicks-vs-cavaliers.html February 5, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Majerle signed as a free agent with the Miami Heat after only one season with the Cavaliers, Associated Press Majerle Seems Headed to the Heat The New York Times August 14, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/14/sports/majerle-seems-headed-to-the-heat.html July 31, 2021 Wire Services Majerle to Sign with Heat The Spokesman-Review August 22, 1996 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/aug/22/majerle-to-sign-with-heat/ July 10, 2022 Heeren Dave Majerle Makes It Official with Heat Sun Sentinel August 23, 1996 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1996-08-23-9608220635-story.html January 30, 2023 while Cage signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, Philadelphia Signs Cage The New York Times August 23, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/23/sports/philadelphia-signs-cage.html June 28, 2022 Long Ernie Cage Brings Solid Work Ethic to 76ers; Veteran Free Agent Hopes to Shore Up Philly's Inside Game The Morning Call August 23, 1996 https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1996-08-23-3104328-story.html November 18, 2022 and Miner retired after four seasons in the NBA due to injuries, only playing just 19 games with the Cavaliers this season due to a knee injury. Standard Times Daily Sports Capsule South Coast Today March 5, 1996 https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/news/1996/03/05/daily-sports-capsule/50643887007/ February 1, 2023 Cavs Say Goodbye to Majerle, Miner The Baltimore Sun August 9, 1996 https://www.baltimoresun.com/1996/08/09/cavs-say-goodbye-to-majerle-miner/ September 18, 2022 After missing the previous two seasons due to a back injury, former All-Star center Brad Daugherty also retired, ending his eight-year career in the NBA with the Cavaliers. Injured Cleveland Cavaliers Center Brad Daugherty Retires Associated Press June 6, 1996 https://apnews.com/article/3fe937b0af1c169f36d1f10e1fcfe073 January 18, 2022 Staff and Wire Reports Daugherty Says He's Retired, But It's News to the Cavaliers Los Angeles Times June 7, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-06-07-sp-12678-story.html January 13, 2023 First Pride, Now Fall: Celtics' Tickets Available The Washington Post August 9, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/08/09/first-pride-now-fall-celtics-tickets-available/326226e0-c9e5-48b7-bb89-83f592a21720/ January 30, 2023 2 Offseason Free agents Trades Draft picks 1995 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality School/Club team 1 17 Bob Sura Guard Florida State 2 39 Donny Marshall Forward UConn Roster Cleveland Cavaliers 1995–96 #000000 #E45206 #5787DC #FFFFFF 13 John Amaechi C 6 10 270 1970–11–26 Penn State 1 Terrell Brandon G 5 11 180 1970–05–20 Oregon 44 Michael Cage C 6 9 244 1962–01–28 San Diego State 11 John Crotty G 6 1 185 1969–07–15 Virginia 43 Brad Daugherty basketball C 7 0 245 1965–10–19 UNC IN 35 Danny Ferry F 6 10 230 1966–10–17 Duke 32 Tyrone Hill F 6 9 240 1968–03–19 Xavier 30 Darryl Johnson basketball G 6 1 170 1965–10–26 Michigan State 21 Antonio Lang F 6 8 205 1972–05–15 Duke 9 Dan Majerle G 6 6 222 1965–09–09 Central Michigan 33 Donny Marshall F 6 7 230 1972–07–17 Connecticut 24 Chris Mills basketball F 6 6 215 1970–01–25 Arizona 4 Harold Miner G 6 5 210 1971–05–05 USC 14 Bobby Phills G 6 5 200 1969–12–20 Southern 3 Bob Sura G 6 5 200 1973–03–25 Florida State Mike Fratello Jim Boylan Sidney Lowe Ron Rothstein (IN) Inactive https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/1996.html March 5, 1996 Roster notes Center Brad Daugherty was on the injured reserve list due to a back injury, and missed the entire regular season. Regular season Season standings CLE CLE Game log Cleveland Cavaliers 1996 #5787DC #FFFFFF 26 15 21 20 Cleveland Cavaliers November no yes #000000 #F60 3 4 3 4 |- align="center" bgcolor= |- || || || || || || |- Cleveland Cavaliers December no #000000 #F60 7 2 2 2 |- align="center" bgcolor= |- || || || || || || |- Cleveland Cavaliers January no #000000 #F60 3 2 5 6 |- align="center" bgcolor= |- || || || || || || |- Cleveland Cavaliers February no #000000 #F60 7 1 3 1 |- align="center" bgcolor= |- || || || || || || |- Cleveland Cavaliers March no #000000 #F60 3 4 5 5 |- align="center" bgcolor= |- || || || || || || |- Cleveland Cavaliers April no #000000 #F60 3 2 3 2 |- align="center" bgcolor= |- || || || || || || |- CLE 1996 Playoffs Cleveland Cavaliers yes 1996 #5787DC #FFFFFF Cleveland Cavaliers First round yes yes #000000 #F60 no 0 2 0 1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 25 | New York | L 83–106 | Terrell Brandon (18) | Michael Cage (8) | Brandon, Majerle (5) | Gund Arena16,419 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 27 | New York | L 80–84 | Terrell Brandon (21) | Michael Cage (8) | Terrell Brandon (12) | Gund Arena17,232 | 0–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 1 | @ New York | L 76–81 | Terrell Brandon (19) | Michael Cage (12) | Terrell Brandon (7) | Madison Square Garden19,763 | 0–3 |- CLE yes 1996 Player stats Regular season PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGTerrell Brandon757534.346.538.788.73.36.51.80.419.3Chris Mills808038.346.837.682.95.52.40.90.715.1Bobby Phills726935.146.744.177.53.63.81.40.414.6Danny Ferry827932.745.939.476.93.82.30.70.513.3Dan Majerle821528.940.535.371.03.72.61.00.410.6Tyrone Hill44221.151.20.060.05.50.80.70.57.8Michael Cage828032.155.60.054.38.90.61.11.06.0Bob Sura79314.641.134.670.21.72.90.70.35.3Harold Miner1907.244.220.0100.00.60.40.00.03.2John Crotty58410.644.729.686.10.91.80.40.13.0John Amaechi28312.841.40.057.61.90.30.20.42.8Antonio Lang4109.053.20.072.31.30.30.30.32.8Donny Marshall3406.135.323.362.90.80.20.20.12.3Joe Courtney2308.742.90.044.42.10.40.20.31.7Darryl Johnson1102.541.70.0100.00.20.10.00.01.1 Playoffs PlayerGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPGTerrell Brandon3341.744.733.386.73.08.01.30.319.3Dan Majerle3030.344.443.588.94.03.01.30.716.7Danny Ferry3339.034.16.30.05.03.01.00.79.7Bobby Phills3332.037.120.025.04.72.00.70.39.7Tyrone Hill3017.775.00.077.85.00.00.00.08.3Chris Mills3335.033.30.0100.05.31.70.70.77.7Michael Cage3333.757.10.060.09.30.70.71.76.3Bob Sura306.066.70.00.00.31.00.30.01.3John Crotty204.50.00.0100.00.50.50.50.51.0John Amaechi102.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0Antonio Lang102.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0Donny Marshall101.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0 Player statistics citation: Awards and records Awards Records Milestones All-Star Transactions Trades Free agents Development League References Cleveland Cavaliers on Database Basketball Cleveland Cavaliers on Basketball Reference Category:Cleveland Cavaliers seasons Cleveland Cleve Cleve