1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers season

NBA professional basketball team season March 2026 August 2023 Los Angeles Lakers 1996 53 29 Pacific 2 4 Del Harris Jerry West Jerry Buss Great Western Forum KCAL-TVPrime Sports West KLAC First round(lost to Rockets 1–3) LAL The 1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers season was the 48th season for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association, and their 36th season in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles Lakers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/ August 7, 2026 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. Friend Tom Basketball: Johnson Finally Says the Magic Words: "It's On" The New York Times January 30, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/30/sports/basketball-johnson-finally-says-the-magic-words-it-s-on.html April 26, 2022 Howard-Cooper Scott Magic Reappears: It's "Go Time": Magic Moment Finally Happens Los Angeles Times January 30, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-01-30-sp-30252-story.html September 24, 2022 Claiborne William Magic Johnson Returns to NBA The Washington Post January 30, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1996/01/30/magic-johnson-returns-to-nba/12757661-f0bb-49b1-a08f-d46f1045166d/ June 27, 2022 Season summary Off-season During the off-season, the team signed free agents Corie Blount and Derek Strong. Howard-Cooper Scott Lakers Acquire Corie Blount from Bulls Los Angeles Times July 1, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-07-01-sp-19185-story.html November 10, 2022 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 Regular season The Lakers got off to a slow start by losing three of their first four games of the regular season, and played around .500 in winning percentage with a 17–17 start to the season. The team soon recovered holding a 24–18 record before Johnson's arrival on January 30, 1996, in a 128–118 home win over the Golden State Warriors at the Great Western Forum; Johnson scored 19 points along with 8 rebounds, 10 assists and 2 steals in 27 minutes off the bench. Friend Tom Pro Basketball: The Stars Are Out: It's Showtime Again for Lakers The New York Times January 31, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/31/sports/pro-basketball-the-stars-are-out-it-s-showtime-again-for-lakers.html January 15, 2022 Howard-Cooper Scott Simply Magical: Johnson Makes Emotional, and Hugely Successful, Return in Laker Victory Los Angeles Times January 31, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-01-31-sp-30631-story.html June 19, 2021 Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, January 30, 1996 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199601300LAL.html October 10, 2022 The Lakers won ten of their twelve games in February, which included an eight-game winning streak, and held a 28–19 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 Lakers finished in second place in the Pacific Division with a 53–29 record, and earned the fourth seed in the Western Conference; 1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1996_games.html June 21, 2021 it was their first 50-win season since the 1990–91 season. Cedric Ceballos averaged 21.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, while Nick 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 off the bench, moving into the power forward position; MacMullan Jackie Lakers Envision Johnson in Sixth-Man Role; Pricing Some Coveted Free Agents; Hawks Soar with Mookie Sports Illustrated Vault February 5, 1996 https://vault.si.com/.amp/vault/1996/02/05/lakers-envision-johnson-in-sixth-man-role-pricing-some-coveted-free-agents-hawks-soar-with-mookie October 12, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20201125090544/https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/02/05/lakers-envision-johnson-in-sixth-man-role-pricing-some-coveted-free-agents-hawks-soar-with-mookie November 25, 2020 dead Cotton Anthony As Lakers Try to Go Forward, Magic Misses the Point The Washington Post May 2, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/05/02/as-lakers-try-to-go-forward-magic-misses-the-point/30d9d1d4-c2a5-4616-bd72-ce5095a11eb3/ October 12, 2023 he averaged 14.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game in 32 games, starting in just nine of them. 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, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game. Also off the bench, Anthony Peeler contributed 9.7 points per game and 105 three-point field goals, while Sedale Threatt provided with 7.3 points and 3.3 assists per game, and George Lynch averaged 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. 1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1996.html June 21, 2021 Johnson finished in fifth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting, and also finished tied in twelfth 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 while Campbell finished in seventh place in Most Improved Player voting. Johnson also reached a milestone during the regular season, by passing his 10,000 career assist in a 102–89 road win over the Sacramento Kings, at the ARCO Arena II on March 7, 1996. Howard-Cooper Scott Magic Reaches Big Milestone on Little Pass Los Angeles Times March 8, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-03-08-sp-44708-story.html October 12, 2023 Staff Writer This Day in Lakers History: Magic Johnson Reaches 10,000 Career Assists Lakers Nation March 7, 2023 https://lakersnation.com/this-day-lakers-history-magic-johnson-reaches-10000-career-assists/ October 12, 2023 Los Angeles Lakers at Sacramento Kings Box Score, March 7, 1996 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199603070SAC.html June 7, 2026 The Lakers finished 21st in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 649,634 at the Great Western Forum during the regular season. 1995–96 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1996.html October 10, 2025 NBA playoffs In the Western Conference First Round of the 1996 NBA playoffs, the Lakers faced off against the 5th–seeded, and 2-time defending NBA champion Houston Rockets, a team that featured All-Star center Hakeem Olajuwon, All-Star guard Clyde Drexler, and Robert Horry. The Lakers lost Game 1 to the Rockets at home, 87–83 at the Great Western Forum, but managed to win Game 2 at home, 104–94 to even the series. 1996 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 1: Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, April 25, 1996 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199604250LAL.html June 7, 2026 1996 NBA Western Conference First Round Game 2: Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, April 27, 1996 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199604270LAL.html June 7, 2026 However, the Lakers lost the next two games on the road, which included a Game 4 loss to the Rockets at The Summit, 102–94, thus losing the series in four games. Friend Tom NBA Playoffs: Rockets Move On. Magic Might, Too The New York Times May 3, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/03/sports/nba-playoffs-rockets-move-on-magic-might-too.html June 24, 2021 Howard-Cooper Scott Show's Over Los Angeles Times May 3, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-05-03-sp-65478-story.html June 4, 2022 1996 NBA Western Conference First Round: Rockets vs. Lakers Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1996-nba-western-conference-first-round-rockets-vs-lakers.html February 5, 2023 Notable incidents This season was not without controversy. In March, after a home game against the Seattle SuperSonics, Ceballos missed the team's charter flight to Seattle, Washington 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. Associated Press Ceballos Is Missing, Suspended Los Angeles Times March 22, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-03-22-sp-49940-story.html November 1, 2016 Howard-Cooper Scott Ceballos Returns, Blames Absence on Family Crisis Los Angeles Times March 25, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-03-25-sp-51138-story.html January 8, 2023 Taylor Phil 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 April 1, 1996 https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/04/01/on-spring-break-cedric-ceballoss-unauthorized-vacation-threatened-to-destroy-the-chemistry-that-had-made-the-lakers-a-contender-since-magic-johnsons-return June 22, 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20201027013835/https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/04/01/on-spring-break-cedric-ceballoss-unauthorized-vacation-threatened-to-destroy-the-chemistry-that-had-made-the-lakers-a-contender-since-magic-johnsons-return October 27, 2020 dead Their troubles continued when Van Exel shoved a referee, during a road game against the Denver Nuggets at the McNichols Sports Arena on April 9, and was suspended for the final seven games of the regular season. Howard-Cooper Scott Van Exel Delivers Blow to Referee in Loss by Lakers Los Angeles Times April 10, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-04-10-sp-56897-story.html January 8, 2023 Litsky Frank Pro Basketball: Van Exel Receives 7-Game Suspension The New York Times April 11, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/11/sports/pro-basketball-van-exel-receives-7-game-suspension.html June 27, 2022 Associated Press Hitting Referee Costs Van Exel $187,000 Los Angeles Times April 11, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-04-11-sp-57305-story.html?_amp=true February 24, 2017 Johnson was also suspended for three games for bumping into a referee during a home game against the Phoenix Suns on April 14. Howard-Cooper Scott Magic Gets Into the Act, Bumps Referee, Faces Ban Los Angeles Times April 15, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-04-15-sp-58799-story.html June 27, 2022 Litsky Frank Pro Basketball: Lakers' Johnson Is Banned, Fined and Apologetic The New York Times April 16, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/16/sports/pro-basketball-lakers-johnson-is-banned-fined-and-apologetic.html January 15, 2022 Howard-Cooper Scott Magic's Bump Rap: Three Games Los Angeles Times April 16, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-04-16-sp-59096-story.html January 8, 2023 Aftermath Following the season, Johnson decided to retire for the second and final time, after the Lakers' loss to the Rockets in the opening round of the NBA playoffs. Brown Clifton Pro Basketball: Leaving on His Terms, Johnson Retires Again The New York Times May 15, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/15/sports/pro-basketball-leaving-on-his-terms-johnson-retires-again.html January 15, 2022 Howard-Cooper Scott Pooof!: Johnson Retires on His Terms This Time Los Angeles Times May 15, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-05-15-sp-4420-story.html January 8, 2023 Adande J.A. Magic Retires from Lakers The Washington Post May 15, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/05/15/magic-retires-from-lakers/f1e6cf3a-b12b-4e6b-8f4c-444be2125768/ January 8, 2023 Meanwhile, Divac was traded to the Charlotte Hornets after seven seasons with the Lakers, Sports People: Basketball: Divac Agrees to a Trade with Charlotte The New York Times July 2, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/02/sports/sports-people-basketball-divac-agrees-to-a-trade-with-charlotte.html June 21, 2023 Howard-Cooper Scott Divac-for-Bryant Deal Done, Freeing Money for O'Neal Los Angeles Times July 12, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-12-sp-23543-story.html July 25, 2022 Heisler Mark A New Day for Vlade Los Angeles Times July 21, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-21-ss-26601-story.html July 26, 2021 Peeler and Lynch were both traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies, Associated Press Laker Trade May Signal Big Deal Los Angeles Times July 17, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-07-17-sp-25053-story.html?_amp=true January 1, 2022 Associated Press L.A. Trades for $$$, Not for New Talent Deseret News July 17, 1996 https://www.deseret.com/1996/7/17/19254845/l-a-trades-for-not-for-new-talent October 4, 2022 Wire Reports Lakers Sweeten Deal, Offer Shaq $120 Million The Spokesman-Review July 18, 1996 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/jul/18/lakers-sweeten-deal-offer-shaq-120-million/ December 12, 2022 Strong signed as a free agent with the Orlando Magic, Povtak Tim Magic Add Strong, Delete Wolf Orlando Sentinel August 27, 1996 https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1996-08-27-9608261481-story.html November 10, 2022 Furthermore The Washington Post August 27, 1996 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1996/08/27/furthermore/264fe332-70d4-4fa7-b175-6f2ff033e170/ January 30, 2023 and Threatt was released to free agency. NBA draft 1995 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 2 37 Frankie King Guard United States Western Carolina Roster Los Angeles Lakers 1995–96 #5C2F83 #FCB625 #FCB625 #5C2F83 43 Corie Blount F 6 9 240 1969–01–04 Cincinnati 41 Elden Campbell F 6 11 215 1968–07–23 Clemson 23 Cedric Ceballos F 6 6 190 1969–08–02 California State University, Fullerton 12 Vlade Divac C 7 1 243 1968–02–03 Yugoslavia 32 Magic Johnson F 6 9 215 1959–08–14 Michigan State University 25 Eddie Jones basketball G 6 6 190 1971–10–20 Temple 4 Frankie King G 6 1 185 1972–06–06 Western Carolina University yes 34 George Lynch basketball F 6 8 218 1970–09–03 North Carolina 2 Anthony Miller basketball F 6 9 225 1971–10–22 Michigan State yes 1 Anthony Peeler G 6 4 208 1969–11–25 Missouri 24 Fred Roberts C 6 10 218 1960–08–14 BYU 7 Derek Strong F 6 8 220 1968–02–09 Xavier 3 Sedale Threatt G 6 2 175 1961–09–10 West Virginia Tech 9 Nick Van Exel G 6 1 170 1971–11–27 Cincinnati Del Harris Bill Bertka Michael Cooper Larry Drew Kurt Rambis https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1996.html 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,NY Times, Johnson, Unbowed by H.I.V., Will Return to Pro Basketball , accessed June 1, 2007. 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."Larry Schwartz Magic made Showtime a show https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00016111.html ESPN.com 2007-09-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20070912095951/http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016111.html 12 September 2007 live Season standings LAL LAL Game log Regular season Los Angeles Lakers 1996 Total: 53-29 (home: 30-11; road: 23–18) Los Angeles Lakers November yes 5 2 2 5 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 1 | November 3 | Denver | W 98-96 | Cedric Ceballos (26) | Vlade Divac (10) | Nick Van Exel (7) | Great Western Forum16,345 | 1–0 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 2 | November 4 | @ Seattle | L 89-103 | Elden Campbell (24) | Elden Campbell (14) | 3 players tied (2) | KeyArena17,102 | 1-1 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 3 | November 7 | @ Minnesota | L 92-93 | Cedric Ceballos (27) | 3 players tied (6) | Nick Van Exel (10) | Target Center14,756 | 1–2 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 4 | November 8 | @ Utah | L 98-108 | Cedric Ceballos (26) | Cedric Ceballos (10) | Nick Van Exel (7) | Delta Center19,911 | 1–3 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 5 | November 10 | Seattle | W 100-97 | Cedric Ceballos (32) | Cedric Ceballos (12) | Sedale Threatt (7) | Great Western Forum15,542 | 2–3 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 6 | November 11 | @ Golden State | L 105-123 | Cedric Ceballos (25) | Cedric Ceballos (15) | Nick Van Exel (6) | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena15,025 | 2–4 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 7 | November 14 | @ Sacramento | W 106-100 | Cedric Ceballos (31) | Elden Campbell (12) | Sedale Threatt (8) | ARCO Arena17,317 | 3–4 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 8 | November 15 | Dallas | W 114-97 | Cedric Ceballos (31) | Cedric Ceballos (13) | Nick Van Exel (12) | Great Western Forum11,381 | 4-4 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 9 | November 17 | @ Vancouver | W 114-91 | Nick Van Exel (25) | Cedric Ceballos (8) | Sedale Threatt (7) | General Motors Place19,193 | 5–4 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 10 | November 19 | L.A. Clippers | W 109-88 | Cedric Ceballos (25) | Cedric Ceballos (13) | Nick Van Exel (9) | Great Western Forum15,617 | 6–4 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 11 | November 21 | Portland | L 108-109 | Cedric Ceballos (38) | Vlade Divac (16) | Nick Van Exel (15) | Great Western Forum10,836 | 6–5 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 12 | November 24 | Sacramento | L 98-99 | Cedric Ceballos (23) | Cedric Ceballos (11) | Nick Van Exel (8) | Great Western Forum16,343 | 6-6 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 13 | November 25 | @ Phoenix | L 113-114 | Cedric Ceballos (34) | Elden Campbell (10) | Nick Van Exel (7) | American West Arena19,023 | 6–7 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 14 | November 29 | Phoenix | W 107-96 | Cedric Ceballos (24) | 3 players tied (9) | 3 players tied (6) | Great Western Forum13,484 | 7-7 Los Angeles Lakers December 6 1 3 7 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 15 | December 1 | Vancouver | W 113-100 | Cedric Ceballos (22) | Vlade Divac (13) | Nick Van Exel (16) | Great Western Forum12,426 | 8–7 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 16 | December 3 | Indiana | W 104-96 | Nick Van Exel (26) | Elden Campbell (10) | Threatt & Van Exel (5) | Great Western Forum14,223 | 9–7 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 17 | December 5 | @ San Antonio | L 89-117 | Cedric Ceballos (16) | Cedric Ceballos (7) | 3 players tied (4) | Alamodome14,551 | 9–8 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 18 | December 6 | @ Houston | L 99-112 | Cedric Ceballos (27) | Cedric Ceballos (17) | Sedale Threatt (9) | The Summit16,285 | 9-9 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 19 | December 8 | Toronto | W 120-103 | Jones & Threatt (27) | Elden Campbell (12) | Eddie Jones (11) | Great Western Forum12,982 | 10–9 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 20 | December 10 | Detroit | W 87-82 | Cedric Ceballos (22) | Vlade Divac (13) | Divac & Van Exel (6) | Great Western Forum16,176 | 11–9 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 21 | December 12 | @ New York | L 82-97 | Cedric Ceballos (26) | Cedric Ceballos (9) | Nick Van Exel (9) | Madison Square Garden19,763 | 11–10 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 22 | December 13 | @ Detroit | W 101-98 | Nick Van Exel (30) | Campbell & Ceballos (8) | Nick Van Exel (7) | The Palace of Auburn Hills14,579 | 12–10 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 23 | December 15 | @ Washington | L 114-122 | Cedric Ceballos (33) | Elden Campbell (8) | Nick Van Exel (9) | US Airways Arena18,756 | 12–11 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 24 | December 16 | @ Chicago | L 88-108 | Cedric Ceballos (27) | Cedric Ceballos (9) | Sedale Threatt (4) | United Center23,824 | 12-12 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 25 | December 19 | @ Milwaukee | W 109-105 | Nick Van Exel (24) | Elden Campbell (9) | Nick Van Exel (7) | Bradley Center14,488 | 13–12 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 26 | December 20 | @ Indiana | L 98-109 | Nick Van Exel (20) | Vlade Divac (12) | Nick Van Exel (7) | Market Square Arena15,870 | 13-13 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 27 | December 22 | Sacramento | W 116-83 | Cedric Ceballos (27) | Elden Campbell (12) | Threatt & Van Exel (9) | Great Western Forum16,189 | 14–13 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 28 | December 23 | @ Portland | W 102-99 | Cedric Ceballos (24) | Cedric Ceballos (11) | Peeler & Threatt (5) | Rose Garden21,401 | 15–13 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 29 | December 26 | Boston | W 102-91 | Eddie Jones (19) | Vlade Divac (11) | Nick Van Exel (9) | Great Western Forum14,324 | 16–13 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 30 | December 28 | San Antonio | L 99-107 | Elden Campbell (25) | Elden Campbell (9) | Eddie Jones (9) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 16–14 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 31 | December 30 | @ Utah | L 82-99 | Cedric Ceballos (18) | Derek Strong (11) | Eddie Jones (7) | Delta Center19,911 | 16–15 Los Angeles Lakers January 5 3 4 0 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 32 | January 2 | Philadelphia | L 89-90 | Nick Van Exel (27) | Vlade Divac (14) | Nick Van Exel (9) | Great Western Forum11,874 | 16-16 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 33 | January 5 | Utah | W 116-100 | Cedric Ceballos (28) | Divac & Jones (7) | Jones & Van Exel (8) | Great Western Forum16,369 | 17–16 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 34 | January 7 | Denver | L 93-96 | Vlade Divac (21) | Campbell & Divac (9) | Nick Van Exel (10) | Great Western Forum13,845 | 17-17 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 35 | January 9 | Minnesota | W 106-104 | Cedric Ceballos (29) | Corie Blount (9) | Nick Van Exel (9) | Great Western Forum10,755 | 18–17 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 36 | January 12 | Houston | W 101-100 | Vlade Divac (25) | Vlade Divac (11) | Nick Van Exel (11) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 19–17 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 37 | January 15 | Miami | W 96-88 | Eddie Jones (20) | Vlade Divac (17) | Nick Van Exel (6) | Great Western Forum14,109 | 20–17 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 38 | January 19 | @ L.A. Clippers | W 106-100 | Cedric Ceballos (25) | George Lynch (7) | 3 players tied (4) | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena14,018 | 21–17 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 39 | January 20 | Cleveland | L 82-93 | Nick Van Exel (17) | George Lynch (9) | Nick Van Exel (5) | Great Western Forum15,380 | 21–18 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 40 | January 24 | @ Boston | W 124-107 | Elden Campbell (26) | Vlade Divac (11) | Divac & Van Exel (5) | Fleet Center18,624 | 22–18 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 41 | January 26 | @ Philadelphia | W 100-88 | Cedric Ceballos (31) | Elden Campbell (18) | Vlade Divac (7) | CoreStates Spectrum16,129 | 23–18 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 42 | January 27 | @ New Jersey | W 100-98 | Cedric Ceballos (29) | Elden Campbell (13) | Nick Van Exel (13) | Continental Airlines Arena20,049 | 24–18 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 43 | January 30 | Golden State | W 128-118 | Cedric Ceballos (33) | Campbell & Divac (9) | Magic Johnson (10) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 25–18 Los Angeles Lakers February 6 1 4 1 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 44 | February 2 | Chicago | L 84-99 | Cedric Ceballos (23) | Elden Campbell (11) | Nick Van Exel (11) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 25–19 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 45 | February 4 | Utah | W 110-103 | Magic Johnson (21) | Vlade Divac (11) | Nick Van Exel (9) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 26–19 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 46 | February 6 | @ Denver | W 99-78 | Cedric Ceballos (27) | Vlade Divac (12) | Magic Johnson (12) | McNichols Sports Arena17,171 | 27–19 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 47 | February 7 | New Jersey | W 106-96 | Elden Campbell (19) | Elden Campbell (10) | Nick Van Exel (9) | Great Western Forum16,481 | 28–19 |- align="center" |colspan="9" bgcolor="#bbcaff"|All-Star Break |- style="background:#cfc;" |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" |- style="background:#cfc;" | 48 | February 14 | Atlanta | W 87-86 | Elden Campbell (20) | Magic Johnson (10) | Magic Johnson (13) | Great Western Forum16,792 | 29–19 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 49 | February 16 | Dallas | W 119-114 | Magic Johnson (30) | Cedric Ceballos (11) | Magic Johnson (11) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 30–19 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 50 | February 20 | L.A. Clippers | W 121-104 | Vlade Divac (29) | Cedric Ceballos (10) | Nick Van Exel (11) | Great Western Forum17,037 | 31–19 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 51 | February 21 | @ L.A. Clippers | W 112-108 | Cedric Ceballos (23) | Elden Campbell (10) | Nick Van Exel (7) | Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena16,021 | 32–19 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 52 | February 23 | @ Dallas | W 114-88 | Cedric Ceballos (27) | Vlade Divac (18) | Nick Van Exel (10) | Reunion Arena17,502 | 33–19 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 53 | February 24 | @ Houston | L 94-96 | Cedric Ceballos (26) | Vlade Divac (12) | Nick Van Exel (7) | The Summit16,285 | 33–20 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 54 | February 26 | New York | W 114-96 | Cedric Ceballos (27) | Elden Campbell (10) | Nick Van Exel (9) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 34–20 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 55 | February 28 | @ Vancouver | W 99-80 | Cedric Ceballos (23) | Vlade Divac (17) | Elden Campbell (8) | General Motors Place19,193 | 35–20 Los Angeles Lakers March 3 4 7 1 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 56 | March 1 | Washington | W 100-95 | Cedric Ceballos (27) | Elden Campbell (12) | Nick Van Exel (4) | Great Western Forum16,943 | 36–20 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 57 | March 3 | Houston | L 107-111 | Nick Van Exel (21) | Elden Campbell (11) | Magic Johnson (5) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 36–21 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 58 | March 7 | @ Sacramento | W 102-89 | Elden Campbell (29) | Elden Campbell (11) | Magic Johnson (7) | ARCO Arena17,317 | 37–21 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 59 | March 8 | @ Phoenix | W 119-97 | Nick Van Exel (28) | Vlade Divac (14) | Nick Van Exel (13) | American West Arena19,023 | 38–21 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 60 | March 12 | Portland | L 99-105 | Elden Campbell (26) | Elden Campbell (11) | Johnson & Van Exel (8) | Great Western Forum16,971 | 38–22 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 61 | March 14 | @ Golden State | W 106-103 | Magic Johnson (21) | Cedric Ceballos (9) | Nick Van Exel (7) | Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena15,025 | 39–22 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 62 | March 15 | Milwaukee | W 117-95 | Magic Johnson (20) | Vlade Divac (15) | Magic Johnson (8) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 40–22 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 63 | March 17 | Orlando | L 97-98 | Campbell & Van Exel (22) | Elden Campbell (10) | Johnson & Van Exel (5) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 40–23 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 64 | March 19 | Seattle | W 94-71 | Eddie Jones (26) | Elden Campbell (10) | Magic Johnson (10) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 41–23 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 65 | March 21 | @ Seattle | L 93-104 | Nick Van Exel (26) | Vlade Divac (9) | Vlade Divac (4) | KeyArena17,072 | 41–24 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 66 | March 24 | Charlotte | L 94-103 | Magic Johnson (28) | Campbell & Johnson (8) | Nick Van Exel (7) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 41–25 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 67 | March 26 | @ Orlando | W 113-91 | Nick Van Exel (22) | Elden Campbell (10) | Magic Johnson (7) | Orlando Arena17,248 | 42–25 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 68 | March 27 | @ Miami | W 106-95 | Magic Johnson (27) | Vlade Divac (12) | Magic Johnson (9) | Miami Arena15,200 | 43–25 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 69 | March 29 | @ Atlanta | W 102-89 | Anthony Peeler (25) | Magic Johnson (10) | Magic Johnson (9) | Omni Coliseum16,378 | 44–25 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 70 | March 31 | @ Toronto | W 111-106 | Vlade Divac (20) | Vlade Divac (19) | Magic Johnson (6) | SkyDome36,046 | 45–25 Los Angeles Lakers April 5 0 3 4 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 71 | April 2 | @ Charlotte | L 97-102 | Cedric Ceballos (35) | Cedric Ceballos (11) | Magic Johnson (10) | Charlotte Coliseum24,042 | 45–26 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 72 | April 3 | @ Cleveland | L 89-105 | Magic Johnson (26) | Magic Johnson (8) | Nick Van Exel (8) | Gund Arena20,562 | 45–27 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 73 | April 5 | Vancouver | W 104-94 | Eddie Jones (26) | Vlade Divac (10) | Vlade Divac (13) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 46–27 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 74 | April 7 | San Antonio | W 107-97 | Divac & Jones (19) | Vlade Divac (11) | Magic Johnson (7) | Great Western Forum17,130 | 47–27 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 75 | April 9 | @ Denver | L 91-98 | Vlade Divac (19) | Vlade Divac (9) | 3 players tied (4) | McNichols Sports Arena17,171 | 47–28 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 76 | April 10 | @ Minnesota | W 111-90 | Elden Campbell (28) | Magic Johnson (10) | Magic Johnson (11) | Target Center19,006 | 48–28 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 77 | April 12 | Golden State | W 94-81 | Vlade Divac (26) | Vlade Divac (10) | Magic Johnson (9) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 49–28 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 78 | April 14 | Phoenix | W 118-114 | Cedric Ceballos (23) | Vlade Divac (13) | Jones & Threatt (7) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 50–28 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 79 | April 16 | @ Dallas | W 113-95 | Cedric Ceballos (23) | Elden Campbell (9) | Elden Campbell (9) | Reunion Arena17,502 | 51–28 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 80 | April 18 | @ San Antonio | L 100-103 | Elden Campbell (27) | Vlade Divac (10) | Sedale Threatt (8) | Alamodome22,184 | 51–29 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 81 | April 20 | Minnesota | W 106-82 | Cedric Ceballos (36) | Derek Strong (10) | Eddie Jones (8) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 52–29 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 82 | April 21 | @ Portland | W 92-88 | Jones & Peeler (20) | Cedric Ceballos (7) | Magic Johnson (10) | Rose Garden21,401 | 53–29 LAL 1996 Playoffs Los Angeles Lakers yes 1996 Total: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2) Los Angeles Lakers First round yes yes no 1 1 0 2 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 1 | April 25 | Houston | L 83–87 | Cedric Ceballos (22) | Magic Johnson (13) | Nick Van Exel (8) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 0–1 |- style="background:#cfc;" | 2 | April 27 | Houston | W 104–94 | Magic Johnson (26) | Vlade Divac (12) | Magic Johnson (5) | Great Western Forum17,505 | 1–1 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 3 | April 30 | @ Houston | L 98–104 | Elden Campbell (18) | Elden Campbell (10) | Magic Johnson (13) | The Summit16,285 | 1–2 |- style="background:#fcc;" | 4 | May 2 | @ Houston | L 94–102 | Cedric Ceballos (25) | Cedric Ceballos (12) | Nick Van Exel (11) | The Summit16,285 | 1–3 |- LAL 1996 yes Player statistics Regular season Los Angeles Lakers |- | style="text-align:left;"|Corie Blount | 57 || 2 || 12.5 || .473 || .000 || .568 || 3.0 || .7 || .4 || .6 || 3.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Elden Campbell | 82 || 82 || 32.9 || .503 || .000 || .713 || 7.6 || 2.2 || 1.1 || 2.6 || 13.9 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Cedric Ceballos | 78 || 71 || 33.7 || .530 || .277 || .804 || 6.9 || 1.5 || 1.2 || .3 || 21.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Vlade Divac | 79 || 79 || 31.3 || .513 || .167 || .641 || 8.6 || 3.3 || 1.0 || 1.7 || 12.9 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Magic Johnson | 32 || 9 || 29.9 || .466 || .379 || .856 || 5.7 || 6.9 || .8 || .4 || 14.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Eddie Jones basketball | 70 || 66 || 31.2 || .492 || .366 || .739 || 3.3 || 3.5 || 1.8 || .6 || 12.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Frankie King | 6 || 0 || 3.3 || .273 || .000 || .333 || .3 || .3 || .3 || .0 || 1.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|George Lynch basketball | 76 || 6 || 13.3 || .430 || .308 || .663 || 2.8 || .7 || .6 || .1 || 3.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Anthony Miller basketball | 27 || 0 || 4.6 || .429 || .000 || .600 || .9 || .1 || .1 || .0 || 1.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Anthony Peeler | 73 || 12 || 22.0 || .452 || .413 || .709 || 1.9 || 1.6 || .8 || .1 || 9.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Fred Roberts | 33 || 1 || 9.6 || .495 || .286 || .786 || 1.4 || .8 || .5 || .1 || 3.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Derek Strong | 63 || 0 || 11.8 || .426 || .111 || .812 || 2.8 || .5 || .3 || .2 || 3.4 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Sedale Threatt | 82 || 8 || 20.6 || .458 || .355 || .761 || 1.2 || 3.3 || .8 || .1 || 7.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Nick Van Exel | 74 || 74 || 34.0 || .417 || .357 || .799 || 2.4 || 6.9 || .9 || .1 || 14.9 |} Playoffs Los Angeles Lakers |- | style="text-align:left;"|Elden Campbell | 4 || 4 || 32.3 || .513 || .000 || .500 || 8.0 || 2.0 || .3 || 2.3 || 12.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Cedric Ceballos | 4 || 4 || 35.5 || .484 || .313 || .917 || 8.3 || 1.3 || 1.0 || .3 || 19.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Vlade Divac | 4 || 4 || 28.8 || .429 || .200 || .625 || 7.5 || 2.0 || .0 || 1.3 || 9.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Magic Johnson | 4 || 0 || 33.8 || .385 || .333 || .848 || 8.5 || 6.5 || .0 || .0 || 15.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Eddie Jones basketball | 4 || 4 || 38.8 || .551 || .526 || .625 || 5.3 || 1.5 || 2.0 || .3 || 17.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|George Lynch basketball | 2 || 0 || 7.5 || .500 || .000 || || 1.5 || .5 || .0 || .0 || 2.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Anthony Peeler | 3 || 0 || 24.0 || .333 || .429 || 1.000 || 2.7 || 1.0 || 2.0 || .0 || 9.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Fred Roberts | 1 || 0 || 3.0 || .000 || || || 3.0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Sedale Threatt | 4 || 0 || 14.3 || .222 || .182 || || .8 || 1.0 || .5 || .0 || 2.5 |- | style="text-align:left;"|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: 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: 1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers Salaries Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1996.html#all_salaries2 January 19, 2022 References Lakers on Database Basketball Lakers on Basketball Reference Category:Los Angeles Lakers seasons Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Lakers Category:1990s in Los Angeles County, California