1995–96 Boston Celtics season

NBA basketball team season August 2023 March 2026 Boston Celtics 1996 33 49 atlantic 5 11 M. L. Carr Jan Volk Paul Gaston Fleet Center WSBK-TVSportsChannel New England WRKO Did not qualify BOS The 1995–96 Boston Celtics season was the 50th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association. Boston Celtics Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/ August 6, 2026 Season summary Off-season A new era began for the Celtics as the team moved into a new arena known as the FleetCenter. 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 25, 2022 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 Greenberg Alan Celtics Playing in Lap of Luxury Hartford Courant October 26, 1995 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1995-10-26-9510260215-story.html June 28, 2022 In addition, this also ended their practice of playing occasional home games at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut. Arace Michael Civic Center Farewell for Celtics? Hartford Courant April 15, 1995 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1995-04-15-9504150302-story.html June 28, 2022 Arace Michael 1995 Celtics Exhibition Schedule Hartford Courant August 2, 1995 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1995-08-02-9508020323-story.html October 5, 2022 The Celtics had the 14th overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft, and selected small forward Eric Williams out of Providence College. 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 June 3, 2023 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 June 3, 2023 1995 NBA Draft Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1995.html June 3, 2023 There was much speculation during the previous off-season over who would coach the team after the firing of Chris Ford, with candidates that included former Celtics coaches Dave Cowens and K. C. Jones, and even former Celtic player Paul Silas. 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 Arace Michael Celtics Should Borrow Knicks' List of Coaches The Spokesman-Review June 19, 1995 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/jun/19/celtics-should-borrow-knicks-list-of-coaches/ November 10, 2022 Ultimately, General Manager M. L. Carr decided to hire himself as the team's new head coach. Sports People: Pro Basketball: Celtics Gamble on Carr The New York Times June 20, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/20/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-celtics-gamble-on-carr.html June 7, 2022 Greenberg Alan Initially, M.L. Wasn't on List of Prospects Hartford Courant June 20, 1995 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1995-06-20-9506200421-story.html November 18, 2022 The Celtics also signed free agent All-Star guard, and former Boston College star Dana Barros, who won the NBA Most Improved Player of the Year award the previous season with the Philadelphia 76ers. Sports People: Pro Basketball: Barros Follows Road Home to the Celtics The New York Times September 23, 1995 https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/23/sports/sports-people-pro-basketball-barros-follows-road-home-to-the-celtics.html October 13, 2021 Wire Services Former Sonic Barros Signs Contract with Celtics, Creating a Backcourt Log-Jam The Spokesman-Review September 23, 1995 https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1995/sep/23/former-sonic-barros-signs-contract-with-celtics/ December 20, 2022 Greenberg Alan Carr Still Not on the Money Hartford Courant September 24, 1995 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1995-09-24-9509240337-story.html July 24, 2022 Regular season Under Carr, and with the addition of Barros and Williams, the Celtics started the regular season losing their first game at the Fleet Center, 101–100 to the Milwaukee Bucks on November 3, 1995. Greenberg Alan Celtics Meet Their Match, Still Lose Hartford Courant November 4, 1995 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1995-11-04-9511040378-story.html November 19, 2022 Milwaukee Bucks at Boston Celtics Box Score, November 3, 1995 Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199511030BOS.html January 4, 2023 Near the end of the month, the team traded Sherman Douglas to the Bucks in exchange for Todd Day and Alton Lister. Douglas Traded for Day, Lister United Press International November 26, 1995 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/11/26/Douglas-traded-for-Day-Lister/7840817362000/ September 24, 2022 Associated Press Celtics Trade Douglas to Bucks Los Angeles Times November 27, 1995 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-11-27-sp-7617-story.html December 3, 2022 Associated Press Celtics Trade Douglas for Lister, Day Deseret News November 27, 1995 https://www.deseret.com/1995/11/27/19206762/celtics-trade-douglas-for-lister-day July 5, 2023 The Celtics played around .500 in winning percentage with a 12–12 start to the season, but then struggled losing 15 of their next 18 games, and later on holding a 17–30 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 January 2, 2023 The Celtics finished in fifth place in the Atlantic Division with a 33–49 record, and failed to qualify for the NBA playoffs. Greenberg Alan Once-Proud Teams Bottoming Out Hartford Courant April 22, 1996 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1996-04-22-9604220173-story.html November 19, 2022 1995–96 Boston Celtics Schedule and Results Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1996_games.html July 1, 2021 Dino Radja averaged 19.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game, but only played 53 games due to a season-ending ankle injury, Wire Reports Celtics' Dino Radja Has Severe Sprain, Put on Injured List Greensboro March 1, 1996 https://greensboro.com/celtics-dino-radja-has-severe-sprain-put-on-injured-list/article_cbd14113-82de-5b39-9057-1d785bc19ab9.html January 18, 2022 Basketball Briefs Deseret News March 2, 1996 https://www.deseret.com/1996/3/2/19228235/basketball-briefs December 19, 2022 Brown Clifton Basketball: Tough Times for Knicks' Offense, But Defensive Effort Saves the Day The New York Times April 10, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/10/sports/basketball-tough-times-for-knicks-offense-but-defensive-effort-saves-the-day.html October 3, 2022 while Rick Fox averaged 14.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game, and Barros provided the team with 13.0 points and 3.8 assists per game, and also led them with 150 three-point field goals. In addition, David Wesley contributed 12.3 points and 4.8 assists per game, along with 116 three-point field goals, while Day contributed 12.0 points per game in 71 games after the trade, Dee Brown provided with 10.7 points and 1.2 steals per game, Williams averaged 10.7 points per game, and second-year guard Greg Minor contributed 9.6 points per game. On the defensive side, second-year center Eric Montross averaged 7.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, but only played 61 games due to a sprained ankle, Heat 111, Celtics 95 United Press International March 24, 1996 https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/03/24/Heat-111-Celtics-95/2089827643600/ November 5, 2022 and Pervis Ellison provided with 5.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. 1995–96 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1996.html July 1, 2021 During the NBA All-Star weekend at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, Barros participated in the NBA Three-Point Shootout for the fourth consecutive year, 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 Williams was selected for the NBA Rookie Game, as a member of the Eastern 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 and Minor participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Wesley finished tied in eighth place in Most Improved Player voting. 1995–96 NBA Awards Voting Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1996.html January 6, 2025 The Celtics finished ninth in the NBA in home-game attendance, with an attendance of 730,842 at the FleetCenter during the regular season. 1995–96 NBA Season Summary Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1996.html January 22, 2026 Aftermath Following the season, Montross was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for the sixth overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft. Sports People: Basketball: Celtics Trade Montross to Mavericks The New York Times June 22, 1996 https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/22/sports/sports-people-basketball-celtics-trade-montross-to-mavericks.html June 27, 2022 Staff and Wire Reports Celtics Trade Montross, Move Up in Draft Los Angeles Times June 22, 1996 https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-06-22-sp-17437-story.html October 5, 2022 Greenberg Alan Mavs Trade Sixth Pick to Celtics Hartford Courant June 22, 1996 https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1996-06-22-9606220389-story.html January 13, 2023 Draft picks 1995 NBA draft Round Pick Player Position Nationality College 1 14 Eric Williams SF Providence 2 33 Junior Burrough SF Virginia Roster Boston Celtics 1995–96 #00703C white #C5B358 #000000 11 Dana Barros G 5 11 163 1967–04–13 Boston College 7 Dee Brown basketball, born 1968 G 6 1 160 1968–11–29 Jacksonville University 5 Junior Burrough F 6 8 242 1973–01–18 Virginia 13 Todd Day G 6 6 188 1970–01–07 Arkansas 29 Pervis Ellison F 6 9 210 1967–04–03 University of Louisville 44 Rick Fox F 6 7 230 1969–07–24 University of North Carolina 53 Alton Lister C 7 0 240 1958–10–01 Arizona State 9 Greg Minor G 6 6 210 1971–09–18 University of Louisville 0 Eric Montross C 7 0 270 1971–09–23 University of North Carolina yes 51 Todd Mundt C 7 0 250 1970–05–17 Delta State 40 Dino Radja F 6 11 225 1967–04–24 Croatia yes 34 Doug Smith basketball F 6 10 220 1969–09–17 Missouri yes 4 David Wesley G 6 0 190 1970–11–14 Baylor University 55 Eric Williams basketball, born 1972 F 6 8 220 1972–07–17 Providence M. L. Carr Don Casey Dennis Johnson John Kuester https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1996.html Regular season Season standings BOS BOS Game log Player statistics Regular season Boston Celtics |- | style="text-align:left;"|Dana Barros | 80 || 25 || 29.1 || .470 || .408 || .884 || 2.4 || 3.8 || .7 || .0 || 13.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Dee Brown basketball, born 1968 | 65 || 23 || 24.5 || .399 || .309 || .854 || 2.1 || 2.2 || 1.2 || .2 || 10.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Junior Burrough | 61 || 3 || 8.1 || .376 || || .656 || 1.8 || .2 || .2 || .2 || 3.1 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Charles Claxton basketball | 3 || 0 || 2.3 || .500 || || .000 || .7 || .0 || .0 || .3 || .7 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Todd Day† | 71 || 12 || 23.0 || .371 || .343 || .766 || 2.8 || 1.4 || 1.1 || .7 || 12.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Sherman Douglas† | 10 || 4 || 23.4 || .429 || .143 || .625 || 2.3 || 3.9 || .2 || .0 || 9.8 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Pervis Ellison | 69 || 29 || 20.7 || .492 || || .641 || 6.5 || .9 || .6 || 1.4 || 5.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Rick Fox | 81 || 81 || 32.0 || .454 || .364 || .772 || 5.6 || 4.6 || 1.4 || .5 || 14.0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Thomas Hamilton basketball | 11 || 0 || 6.4 || .290 || || .389 || 2.0 || .1 || .0 || .8 || 2.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Alton Lister† | 57 || 14 || 11.4 || .490 || || .629 || 4.4 || .3 || .1 || .7 || 2.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Greg Minor | 78 || 47 || 22.6 || .500 || .259 || .762 || 3.3 || 1.9 || .5 || .1 || 9.6 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Eric Montross | 61 || 59 || 23.5 || .566 || || .376 || 5.8 || .7 || .3 || .5 || 7.2 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Todd Mundt† | 9 || 0 || 3.7 || .333 || || || .3 || .1 || .1 || .1 || .7 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Dino Rađa | 53 || 52 || 37.4 || .500 || || .695 || 9.8 || 1.6 || .9 || 1.5 || 19.7 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Doug Smith basketball | 17 || 2 || 5.4 || .359 || || .625 || 1.3 || .2 || .2 || .0 || 1.9 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Larry Sykes | 1 || 0 || 2.0 || || || || 2.0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 |- | style="text-align:left;"|David Wesley | 82 || 53 || 25.7 || .459 || .426 || .753 || 3.2 || 4.8 || 1.2 || .1 || 12.3 |- | style="text-align:left;"|Eric Williams basketball, born 1972 | 64 || 6 || 23.0 || .441 || .300 || .671 || 3.4 || 1.1 || .9 || .2 || 10.7 |} † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Celtics only. Player statistics citation: Transactions List of 1995-96 NBA season transactions Overview Players Added Via draft Junior Burrough Eric Williams Via free agency Dana Barros Thomas Hamilton Todd Mundt Doug Smith Via trade Todd Day Alton ListerPlayers Lost Via free agency Jay Humphries Xavier McDaniel Derek Strong Via trade Sherman Douglas Waived Charles Claxton Larry Sykes Fred Vinson Dominique Wilkins Trades November 25, 1995 To Boston Celtics USA Todd Day USA Alton Lister To Milwaukee Bucks USA Sherman Douglas June 21, 1996 To Boston Celtics 1996 First-Round Pick 1997 First-Round Pick To Dallas Mavericks USA Eric Montross 1996 First-Round Pick Player transactions citation: 1995–96 Boston Celtics Transactions Basketball-Reference https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1996_transactions.html July 14, 2021 References See also 1995–96 NBA season Category:Boston Celtics seasons Boston Celtics Boston Celtics Boston Celtics Celtics Celtics