1994–95 Boston Celtics season

NBA basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Boston Celtics 1995 35 47 atlantic 3 8 Chris Ford M.L. Carr Boston GardenHartford Civic Center WSBK-TVSportsChannel New England WBNW East First Round(lost to Magic 1–3) BOS The 1994–95 Boston Celtics season was the 49th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. Boston Celtics Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/ August 6, 2026 This was the Celtics' first season since the 1979–80 season without long-time center Robert Parish, who left as a free agent to the Charlotte Hornets. It was also the team's final season in which they played their home games at the Boston Garden, as well as playing occasional home games at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut. Cavanaugh Jack Backtalk: The Last Days of a Garden Where Memories Grew The New York Times April 16, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/16/sports/backtalk-the-last-days-of-a-garden-where-memories-grew.html July 19, 2021 Araton Harvey On Pro Basketball: A Not-So-Fond Farewell to a Shrine The New York Times April 22, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/22/sports/on-pro-basketball-a-not-so-fond-farewell-to-a-shrine.html January 30, 2023 Boston Garden Fertile Ground for Memories The Washington Post April 22, 1995 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1995/04/22/boston-garden-fertile-ground-for-memories/38b061a4-3ade-4b58-b361-5fd61db80847/ January 30, 2023 Season summary Off-season After missing the NBA playoffs the previous season, the Celtics received the ninth overall pick in the 1994 NBA draft, and selected center Eric Montross from the University of North Carolina. Brown Clifton Basketball: The Bucks Go with Robinson as No. 1 Pick The New York Times June 30, 1994 https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/30/sports/basketball-the-bucks-go-with-robinson-as-no-1-pick.html July 30, 2021 Baker Chris NBA Draft: Clippers Select Murray: Pro Basketball: Cal Forward Drafted Amid Rumors of Impending Mark Jackson Trade Los Angeles Times June 30, 1994 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-30-sp-10445-story.html June 3, 2023 1994 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1994.html December 1, 2022 During the off-season, the Celtics signed free agent All-Star forward Dominique Wilkins, which was a controversial move, Associated Press Dominique Wilkins a Celtic The New York Times July 23, 1994 https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/23/sports/dominique-wilkins-a-celtic.html July 24, 2022 Baker Chris Clippers Must Pay the Price of Losing Wilkins to Celtics: Basketball: All-Star Forward's Short Tenure in L.A. Ends with a Three-Year, $11-Million Deal from Boston Los Angeles Times July 23, 1994 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-07-23-sp-18982-story.html July 24, 2022 Celtics Sign Dominique Wilkins The Washington Post July 23, 1994 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1994/07/23/celtics-sign-dominique-wilkins/a5a61c4b-b8fc-40d9-91d0-0ad7151fa2ff/ December 20, 2022 signed free agents Pervis Ellison, Justice Richard Ex-Bullet Ellison Close to Signing with Celtics The Washington Post July 28, 1994 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1994/07/28/ex-bullet-ellison-close-to-signing-with-celtics/f57319b6-d3db-496e-8804-8db7aa06d10e/ January 17, 2022 Arace Michael Celtics Hope Ellison Dressed for Success Hartford Courant October 19, 1994 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1994-10-19-9410190292-story.html November 10, 2022 second-year guard David Wesley, and rookie shooting guard Greg Minor from the University of Louisville; Picking Up the Pace Hartford Courant July 28, 1994 https://www.courant.com/1994/07/28/picking-up-the-pace-3/ April 19, 2023 Minor Moves on Court Hartford Courant October 27, 1994 https://www.courant.com/1994/10/27/minor-moves-on-court-2/ April 19, 2023 the team also acquired Blue Edwards and Derek Strong from the Milwaukee Bucks on draft day. Bucks Trade Edwards to Celtics United Press International June 30, 1994 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/06/30/Bucks-trade-Edwards-to-Celtics/2024772948800/ June 30, 2022 Eastern Conference The Washington Post November 4, 1994 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1994/11/04/eastern-conference/6a9f6bcb-fb82-4243-8284-36f7dc0be7ea/ September 22, 2022 Regular season With the addition of Wilkins and Montross, the Celtics got off to a 7–6 start in November, but played below .500 in winning percentage for the remainder of the regular season. The team posted a six-game losing streak in January, and later on held a 19–27 record at the All-Star break. NBA Games Played on February 9, 1995 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=9&year=1995 July 18, 2022 At mid-season, the team traded Edwards back to his former team, the Utah Jazz in exchange for Jay Humphries. Associated Press Edwards, Humphries Swapped Again Los Angeles Times February 4, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-04-sp-28033-story.html January 29, 2023 Evans Richard Blue's Back: Jazz Deal Humphries, 2nd-Round Draft Pick to Celtics for High-Flying Edwards Deseret News February 4, 1995 https://www.deseret.com/1995/2/4/19157566/blue-s-back-jazz-deal-humphries-2nd-round-draft-pick-to-celtics-for-high-flying-edwards July 31, 2021 Arace Michael Edwards Traded by Celtics Hartford Courant February 4, 1995 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1995-02-04-9502040309-story.html October 5, 2022 The Celtics posted another six-game losing streak in March, but won eight of their final twelve games of the season, finishing in third place in the Atlantic Division with a 35–47 record; 1994–95 Boston Celtics Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1995_games.html June 23, 2021 despite finishing six games under .500, the team qualified for the NBA playoffs as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. Wilkins averaged 17.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game along with 112 three-point field goals, while second-year star Dino Radja averaged 17.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, and Dee Brown provided the team with 15.6 points and 1.4 steals per game, and also led them with 126 three-point field goals. In addition, Sherman Douglas contributed 14.7 points and 6.9 assists per game, while Montross averaged 10.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Off the bench, Rick Fox contributed 8.8 points per game, but only played 53 games due to ankle and foot injuries, Arace Michael Celtics Give Hawks Opening in Fourth Hartford Courant March 13, 1995 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1995-03-13-9503130284-story.html October 5, 2022 while Xavier McDaniel provided with 8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Wesley contributed 7.4 points, 5.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game in only 51 games, starting in 36 of them due to a knee injury, Arace Michael The Point Is Well-Taken Hartford Courant April 28, 1995 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1995-04-28-9504280589-story.html October 5, 2022 while Ellison averaged 6.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, Strong provided with 6.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, and Minor contributed 6.0 points per game. 1994–95 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1995.html June 23, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, Montross was selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as a member of the White team. Basketball The Tuscaloosa News February 11, 1995 2C https://books.google.com/books?id=2TodAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA9&dq=1995+nba+slam+dunk+contest+long+distance+shootout&article_id=5801,3069932&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiZrZDPvOCPAxWVlokEHYslNY8Q6AF6BAgKEAM#v=onepage&q=1995%20nba%20slam%20dunk%20contest%20long%20distance%20shootout&f=false September 18, 2025 1995 NBA Rising Stars: White 83, Green 79 (OT) Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1995_rookie.html September 18, 2025 Wilkins was not selected for the NBA All-Star Game for the first time since the 1984–85 season; he had nine consecutive All-Star appearances while playing for his former team, the Atlanta Hawks. The Celtics finished 20th in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 606,070 at the Boston Garden during the regular season. 1994–95 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1995.html January 22, 2026 NBA playoffs In the Eastern Conference First Round of the 1995 NBA playoffs, the Celtics faced off against the top–seeded, and Atlantic Division champion Orlando Magic, who were led by the All-Star trio of Shaquille O'Neal, second-year star Penny Hardaway, and Horace Grant. The Celtics suffered a 47-point margin loss in Game 1 to the Magic, 124–77 at the Orlando Arena, Associated Press 1995 N.B.A. Playoffs: Magic Buries a Bad Memory and Celtics The New York Times April 29, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/29/sports/1995-nba-playoffs-magic-buries-a-bad-memory-and-celtics.html October 8, 2022 Winderman Ira Celtics Are No Match: Magic Rolls to 47-Point Victory Sun Sentinel April 29, 1995 https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1995-04-29-9504290057-story.html October 8, 2022 1995 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 1: Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic Box Score, April 28, 1995 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199504280ORL.html June 7, 2026 but managed to defeat them in Game 2 on the road, 99–92, seizing the "theoretical home court advantage" for the series. Associated Press Pro Basketball: Celtics Bounce Back and Head Home Even The New York Times May 1, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/01/sports/pro-basketball-celtics-bounce-back-and-head-home-even.html September 18, 2022 Associated Press NBA Playoffs: Celtics Dispel Magic, Now Come Ghosts Los Angeles Times May 1, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-05-01-sp-60898-story.html October 8, 2022 1995 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Game 2: Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic Box Score, April 30, 1995 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199504300ORL.html June 7, 2026 However, the Celtics lost the next two games at home, which included a Game 4 loss to the Magic at the Boston Garden, 95–92, thus losing the series in four games; Game 4 was the last basketball game ever played at the Boston Garden. Associated Press 1995 N.B.A. Playoffs: Grant and Magic Wrap Up Garden's Parquet The New York Times May 6, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/06/sports/1995-nba-playoffs-grant-and-magic-wrap-up-garden-s-parquet.html September 18, 2022 Associated Press Magic Finishes Off Celtics and the Garden: NBA Playoffs: Orlando Holds on for 95-92 Victory, Setting Up East Semifinal Against Chicago Los Angeles Times May 6, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-05-06-sp-63074-story.html June 6, 2022 1995 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Celtics vs. Magic Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1995-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-celtics-vs-magic.html February 5, 2023 The Magic would advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, but would lose to the 6th–seeded, and defending NBA champion Houston Rockets in a four-game sweep in the 1995 NBA Finals. Brown Clifton 1995 N.B.A. Playoffs: Rockets Sweep to 2d Straight Championship The New York Times June 15, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/15/sports/1995-nba-playoffs-rockets-sweep-to-2d-straight-championship.html June 26, 2022 Howard-Cooper Scott NBA Finals: Two-Ring Circus Hits Houston: Pro Basketball: Olajuwon (Who Else?) Is MVP Again After Leading Rockets to Sweep of Magic Los Angeles Times June 15, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-06-15-sp-13326-story.html June 26, 2022 1995 NBA Finals: Rockets vs. Magic Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1995-nba-finals-rockets-vs-magic.html February 5, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Wilkins and McDaniel both left to play overseas in Greece, Associated Press Wilkins Leaves Celtics to Sign for Greek Club Los Angeles Times August 13, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-08-13-sp-34836-story.html June 21, 2023 McDaniel to Leave NBA, Play in Greece United Press International September 7, 1995 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/09/07/McDaniel-to-leave-NBA-play-in-Greece/4320810446400/ July 24, 2022 Sports People: Basketball: Celtics to Wilkins: Goodbye, Good Luck The New York Times September 8, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/08/sports/sports-people-basketball-celtics-to-wilkins-goodbye-good-luck.html July 20, 2017 while Strong signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers, Howard-Cooper Scott The NBA: 1995-96: Greater Expectations: Lakers May Have Accomplished a Lot, But Now They're Really Thinking Big Los Angeles Times November 3, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-11-03-sp-64474-story.html November 10, 2022 Humphries was released to free agency, and head coach Chris Ford was fired; General Manager M.L. Carr explained Ford's firing as having to do with "diminishing returns". Celtics Fire Chris Ford United Press International May 17, 1995 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/05/17/Celtics-fire-Chris-Ford/3637800683200/ January 1, 2023 Associated Press 1995 N.B.A. Playoffs: Celtics Drop Ford as Coach The New York Times May 18, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/18/sports/1995-nba-playoffs-celtics-drop-ford-as-coach.html June 22, 2023 Arace Michael Ford Reaches Point of No Return with Celtics Hartford Courant May 18, 1995 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1995-05-18-9505180302-story.html January 21, 2022 Draft picks 1994 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 9 Eric Montross C United States North Carolina 2 36 Andrei Fetisov SF Russia Fórum Valladolid Roster Boston Celtics 1994–95 #00703C white #C5B358 #000000 8 James Blackwell basketball G 6 0 190 Dartmouth College 1968–02–25 7 Dee Brown basketball, born 1968 G 6 1 160 Jacksonville University 1968–11–29 45 Tony Dawson F 6 7 215 Florida State University 1967–08–25 20 Sherman Douglas G 6 0 180 Syracuse University 1966–09–15 55 Acie Earl F 6 10 240 University of Iowa 1970–06–23 29 Pervis Ellison F 6 9 210 University of Louisville 1967–04–03 44 Rick Fox F 6 7 230 University of North Carolina 1969–07–24 5 Jay Humphries G 6 3 185 University of Colorado 1962–10–17 34 Xavier McDaniel F 6 7 205 Wichita State 1963–06–04 9 Greg Minor F 6 6 210 University of Louisville 1971–09–18 0 Eric Montross C 7 0 270 University of North Carolina 1971–09–23 40 Dino Radja F/C 6 11 225 Croatia 1967–04–24 31 Derek Strong F 6 8 220 Xavier University 1968–02–09 4 David Wesley G 6 0 190 Baylor University 1970–11–14 12 Dominique Wilkins F 6 7 200 University of Georgia 1960–01–12 Chris Ford Don Casey Dennis Johnson https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1995.html Regular season Season standings BOS BOS Game log Regular season Boston Celtics 1995 #006400 #FFFFFF Total: 35–47 (home: 20–21; road: 15–26) Boston Celtics November yes #FFFFFF #006400 3 4 4 2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | November 11, 19947:30p.m. EST | Houston | L 82–102 | Radja (31) | Radja (11) | Fox (6) | Boston Garden14,890 | 0–3 Boston Celtics December #FFFFFF #006400 2 4 2 7 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 23 | December 17, 19948:30p.m. EST | @ Houston | W 112–109 | Wilkins (43) | Montross (12) | Wesley (11) | The Summit15,757 | 10–13 Boston Celtics January #FFFFFF #006400 5 5 0 4 Boston Celtics February #FFFFFF #006400 3 2 3 4 |- align="center" |colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break |- style="background:#cfc;" |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" Boston Celtics March #FFFFFF #006400 2 5 4 6 Boston Celtics April #FFFFFF #006400 5 1 2 3 BOS 1995 Playoffs Boston Celtics 1995 yes #006400 #FFFFFF Boston Celtics First round yes yes no #FFFFFF #006400 0 2 1 1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 1 | April 28 | @ Orlando | L 77–124 | Dee Brown (20) | Dominique Wilkins (9) | Sherman Douglas (6) | Orlando Arena16,010 | 0–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ccffcc" | 2 | April 30 | @ Orlando | W 99–92 | Dominique Wilkins (24) | Brown, Radja (8) | Sherman Douglas (15) | Orlando Arena16,010 | 1–1 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | May 3 | Orlando | L 77–82 | Brown, Wilkins (16) | Pervis Ellison (10) | Sherman Douglas (7) | Boston Garden14,890 | 1–2 |- align="center" bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | May 5 | Orlando | L 92–95 | Dominique Wilkins (22) | Dominique Wilkins (18) | Douglas, Brown (5) | Boston Garden14,890 | 1–3 |- BOS yes 1995 Player statistics Regular season Boston Celtics |- | style="text-align:left;"|James Blackwell basketball† | 9 || 0 || 6.8 || .600 || || .667 || .9 || .7 || .3 || .0 || 1.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Dee Brown basketball, born 1968 | 79 || 69 || 35.3 || .447 || .385 || .852 || 3.2 || 3.8 || 1.4 || .6 || 15.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Tony Dawson | 2 || 0 || 6.5 || .375 || .333 || 1.000 || 1.5 || .5 || .0 || .0 || 4.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Sherman Douglas | 65 || 43 || 31.5 || .475 || .244 || .689 || 2.6 || 6.9 || 1.2 || .0 || 14.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Acie Earl | 30 || 3 || 6.9 || .382 || || .483 || 1.5 || .1 || .2 || .3 || 2.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Blue Edwards† | 31 || 7 || 16.4 || .426 || .256 || .896 || 2.1 || 1.5 || .6 || .3 || 7.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Pervis Ellison | 55 || 11 || 19.7 || .507 || .000 || .717 || 5.6 || .6 || .4 || 1.0 || 6.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Rick Fox | 53 || 7 || 19.6 || .481 || .413 || .772 || 2.9 || 2.6 || 1.0 || .4 || 8.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Tony Harris basketball, born 1967 | 3 || 0 || 6.0 || .375 || .000 || .889 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || 4.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Jay Humphries† | 6 || 0 || 8.7 || .444 || .000 || .500 || .5 || 1.7 || .3 || .0 || 1.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Xavier McDaniel | 68 || 15 || 21.0 || .451 || .286 || .712 || 4.4 || 1.6 || .4 || .3 || 8.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Greg Minor | 63 || 8 || 15.0 || .515 || .167 || .833 || 2.2 || 1.0 || .5 || .3 || 6.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Eric Montross | 78 || 75 || 29.7 || .534 || .000 || .635 || 7.3 || .5 || .4 || .8 || 10.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Dino Rađa | 66 || 48 || 32.5 || .490 || .000 || .759 || 8.7 || 1.7 || .9 || 1.3 || 17.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Derek Strong | 70 || 24 || 19.2 || .453 || .286 || .820 || 5.4 || .6 || .3 || .2 || 6.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|David Wesley | 51 || 36 || 27.1 || .409 || .429 || .755 || 2.3 || 5.2 || 1.6 || .2 || 7.4 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Dominique Wilkins | 77 || 64 || 31.5 || .424 || .388 || .782 || 5.2 || 2.2 || .8 || .2 || 17.8 |} Playoffs Boston Celtics |- | style="text-align:left;"|Dee Brown basketball, born 1968 | 4 || 4 || 43.0 || .419 || .346 || .875 || 5.0 || 4.8 || 1.3 || .3 || 18.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Sherman Douglas | 4 || 4 || 42.0 || .353 || .333 || .727 || 5.0 || 8.3 || 1.0 || .3 || 15.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Acie Earl | 1 || 0 || 10.0 || .333 || || .000 || 2.0 || .0 || .0 || 1.0 || 2.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Pervis Ellison | 4 || 0 || 17.0 || .579 || || 1.000 || 4.3 || .5 || .5 || 1.3 || 6.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Xavier McDaniel | 4 || 0 || 14.8 || .294 || .000 || .750 || 1.5 || 1.3 || .0 || .0 || 3.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Greg Minor | 4 || 0 || 9.3 || .385 || || 1.000 || .3 || .5 || .3 || .3 || 2.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Eric Montross | 4 || 4 || 15.5 || .455 || || .500 || 2.3 || .0 || .0 || .0 || 3.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Dino Rađa | 4 || 3 || 38.3 || .400 || || .714 || 7.0 || 2.3 || 1.0 || 1.3 || 15.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Derek Strong | 4 || 1 || 20.3 || .333 || || .500 || 6.0 || .8 || .8 || .3 || 2.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Dominique Wilkins | 4 || 4 || 37.5 || .426 || .471 || .889 || 10.8 || 2.0 || .5 || .8 || 19.0 |} † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Celtics only. Player statistics citation: Awards Player AwardEric MontrossNBA All-Rookie 2nd Team Transactions The Celtics were involved in the following transactions during the 1994–95 season. Trades June 29, 1994 To Boston CelticsBlue EdwardsDerek Strong To Milwaukee BucksEd PinckneyAndrei Fetisov February 3, 1995 To Boston CelticsJay Humphries1995 second-round pick To Utah JazzBlue Edwards Free agents 52% Additions Player Signed Former team David Wesley July 20 New Jersey Nets Dominique Wilkins July 25 Los Angeles Clippers Pervis Ellison August 1 Washington Bullets Greg Minor October 19 Indiana Pacers James Blackwell February 28 Pittsburgh Piranhas (CBA) Tony Dawson February 28 Rockford Lightning (CBA) Subtractions Player Left New team Alaa Abdelnaby free agency, July 26 Sacramento Kings Robert Parish free agency, August 4 Charlotte Hornets Tony Harris waived, December 28 Sioux Falls Skyforce (CBA) Player Transactions Citation: 1994–95 Boston Celtics Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1995_transactions.html February 13, 2022 See also 1994–95 NBA season References Category:Boston Celtics seasons Boston Celtics Boston Celtics Boston Celtics Celtics Celtics