1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers season
The 1995–96 NBA season was the Lakers' 48th season in the National Basketball Association, and 36th in the city of Los Angeles.[1] It was also the highlight of retired All-Star guard and Lakers legend Magic Johnson making a comeback.[2][3][4][5][6] During the off-season, the team signed free agents Corie Blount and Derek Strong.[7][8] The Lakers got off to a slow start losing three of their first four games, but soon recovered holding a 24–18 record before Johnson's arrival on January 30, 1996, in a 128–118 home victory over the Golden State Warriors; Magic had 19 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists and 2 steals in 27 minutes off the bench.[9][6][10][11][12] The Lakers won ten of their twelve games in February, which included an 8-game winning streak, and held a 28–19 record at the All-Star break.[13]
1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers season | |
---|---|
Head coach | Del Harris |
General manager | Jerry West |
Owner(s) | Jerry Buss |
Arena | Great Western Forum |
Results | |
Record | 53–29 (.646) |
Place | Division: 2nd (Pacific) Conference: 4th (Western) |
Playoff finish | First round (lost to Rockets 1–3) |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Local media | |
Television | KCAL-TV Prime Sports West |
Radio | KLAC |
However, in March, after a game against the Seattle SuperSonics, scoring leader Cedric Ceballos missed the team's charter flight to Seattle without explanation, as the Lakers were scheduled to play the Sonics again; Ceballos went missing for a few days, but later on returned to the team, and was suspended without pay.[14][15][16][17] Their troubles continued as Nick Van Exel shoved a referee during a road game against the Denver Nuggets on April 9, and was suspended for the final seven games of the regular season.[18][19][20][21] Magic was also suspended for three games for bumping into a referee during a home game against the Phoenix Suns on April 14.[22][23][24][25] The Lakers finished second in the Pacific Division with a 53–29 record.[26]
Ceballos averaged 21.2 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, while Van Exel provided the team with 14.9 points and 6.9 assists per game, and Johnson played a sixth man role moving into the power forward position,[27][28] averaging 14.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game off the bench in 32 games, starting in just nine of them. He also reached a milestone by passing his 10,000 career assist in a 102–89 road win over the Sacramento Kings on March 7, 1996,[29][30][31] and finished in fifth place in Sixth Man of the Year voting.[32][33] 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 and 1.8 steals per game. Off the bench, Anthony Peeler contributed 9.7 points per game, and Sedale Threatt provided with 7.3 points and 3.3 assists per game.[34]
However, in the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs, the Lakers lost to the 5th-seeded, and 2-time defending champion Houston Rockets in four games;[35][36][37][38] after the defeat, Magic decided to retire for the second time and for good.[39][40][41][42][43] Following the season, Divac was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for 1996 NBA draftee, and high school basketball star Kobe Bryant,[44][45][46][47][48] while Peeler and George Lynch were both dealt to the Vancouver Grizzlies,[49][50][51] Strong signed as a free agent with the Orlando Magic,[52][53] and Threatt was released to free agency.
NBA draft
Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 37 | Frankie King | Guard | United States | Western Carolina |
Roster
1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers roster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Players | Coaches | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Roster |
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,[54] 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."[55]
Season standings
W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
y-Seattle SuperSonics | 64 | 18 | .780 | – | 38–3 | 26–15 | 21–3 |
x-Los Angeles Lakers | 53 | 29 | .646 | 11 | 30–11 | 23–18 | 17–7 |
x-Portland Trail Blazers | 44 | 38 | .537 | 20 | 26–15 | 18–23 | 11–13 |
x-Phoenix Suns | 41 | 41 | .500 | 23 | 25–16 | 16–25 | 9–15 |
x-Sacramento Kings | 39 | 43 | .476 | 25 | 26–15 | 13–28 | 11–13 |
Golden State Warriors | 36 | 46 | .439 | 28 | 23–18 | 13–28 | 7–17 |
Los Angeles Clippers | 29 | 53 | .354 | 35 | 19–22 | 10–31 | 7–17 |
# | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | GP |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | c-Seattle SuperSonics * | 64 | 18 | .780 | – | 82 |
2 | y-San Antonio Spurs * | 59 | 23 | .720 | 5 | 82 |
3 | x-Utah Jazz | 55 | 27 | .671 | 9 | 82 |
4 | x-Los Angeles Lakers | 53 | 29 | .646 | 11 | 82 |
5 | x-Houston Rockets | 48 | 34 | .585 | 16 | 82 |
6 | x-Portland Trail Blazers | 44 | 38 | .537 | 20 | 82 |
7 | x-Phoenix Suns | 41 | 41 | .500 | 23 | 82 |
8 | x-Sacramento Kings | 39 | 43 | .476 | 25 | 82 |
9 | Golden State Warriors | 36 | 46 | .439 | 28 | 82 |
10 | Denver Nuggets | 35 | 47 | .427 | 29 | 82 |
11 | Los Angeles Clippers | 29 | 53 | .354 | 35 | 82 |
12 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 26 | 56 | .317 | 38 | 82 |
13 | Dallas Mavericks | 26 | 56 | .317 | 38 | 82 |
14 | Vancouver Grizzlies | 15 | 67 | .183 | 49 | 82 |
Record vs. opponents
1995-96 NBA Records | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Team | ATL | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NYK | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | SEA | TOR | UTA | VAN | WAS |
Atlanta | – | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
Boston | 0–4 | – | 2–2 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
Charlotte | 1–3 | 2–2 | – | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 3–0 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
Chicago | 4–0 | 3–0 | 3–1 | – | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
Cleveland | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | – | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
Dallas | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | – | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–2 |
Denver | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | – | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
Detroit | 2–2 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | – | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 |
Golden State | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | – | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
Houston | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | – | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
Indiana | 3–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | – | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–0 |
L.A. Clippers | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | – | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
L.A. Lakers | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 4–0 | – | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
Miami | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | – | 3–0 | 1–1 | 5–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
Milwaukee | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–3 | – | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
Minnesota | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | – | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 |
New Jersey | 0–4 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 0–3 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–5 | 3–1 | 1–1 | – | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 |
New York | 1–2 | 4–0 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | – | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
Orlando | 2–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | – | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
Philadelphia | 1–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | – | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
Phoenix | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | – | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 |
Portland | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | – | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 0–2 |
Sacramento | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | – | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–2 |
San Antonio | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | – | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
Seattle | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | – | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
Toronto | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | – | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
Utah | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | – | 4–0 | 1–1 |
Vancouver | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–4 | – | 0–2 |
Washington | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — |
Game log
Regular Season
Playoffs
1996 playoff game log Total: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
First round: 1–3 (home: 1–1; road: 0–2)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1996 schedule |
Player statistics
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field-goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game |
NOTE: Please write the players statistics in alphabetical order by last name.
Season
Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Corie Blount | |||||||||||
Elden Campbell | |||||||||||
Cedric Ceballos | |||||||||||
Vlade Divac | |||||||||||
Magic Johnson | |||||||||||
Eddie Jones | |||||||||||
Frankie King | |||||||||||
George Lynch | |||||||||||
Anthony Miller | |||||||||||
Anthony Peeler | |||||||||||
Fred Roberts | |||||||||||
Derek Strong | |||||||||||
Sedale Threatt | |||||||||||
Nick Van Exel |
Playoffs
Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Elden Campbell | |||||||||||
Cedric Ceballos | |||||||||||
Vlade Divac | |||||||||||
Magic Johnson | |||||||||||
Eddie Jones | |||||||||||
George Lynch | |||||||||||
Anthony Peeler | |||||||||||
Fred Roberts | |||||||||||
Sedale Threatt | |||||||||||
Nick Van Exel |
Award winners
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 |
Anthony Miller | $550,000 |
Fred Roberts | $225,000 |
Frankie King | $200,000 |
Player Salaries Citation:[56]
References
- 1995-96 Los Angeles Lakers
- "Magic's Return Reportedly Signed and Set for Tuesday". Deseret News. Associated Press. January 29, 1996. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
- Friend, Tom (January 30, 1996). "BASKETBALL; Johnson Finally Says the Magic Words: 'It's On'". The New York Times. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- Howard-Cooper, Scott (January 30, 1996). "MAGIC REAPPEARS: It's 'Go Time': Magic Moment Finally Happens". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
- Claiborne, William (January 30, 1996). "Magic Johnson Returns to NBA". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- Howard-Cooper, Scott (January 31, 1996). "Simply Magical: Johnson Makes Emotional --and Hugely Successful--Return in Laker Victory". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- Howard-Cooper, Scott (July 1, 1995). "Lakers Acquire Corie Blount from Bulls". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- Howard-Cooper, Scott (November 3, 1995). "THE NBA: 1995-96: Greater Expectations: Lakers May Have Accomplished a Lot, But Now They're Really Thinking Big". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- Friend, Tom (January 31, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; The Stars Are Out: It's Showtime Again for Lakers". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
- Aldridge, David (January 31, 1996). "For Lakers, It's Magic In the Air". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- Reilly, Rick (February 12, 1996). "Welcome Back! Magic Johnson Raised Goose Bumps, and Took His Lumps in an Electrifying Return to the NBA". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
- "Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, January 30, 1996". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
- "Ceballos Is Missing, Suspended". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. March 22, 1996. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- Howard-Cooper, Scott (March 25, 1996). "Ceballos Returns, Blames Absence on Family Crisis". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Lakers Give Ceballos a Cold Shoulder". The New York Times. March 26, 1996. Retrieved May 14, 2022.
- Taylor, Phil (April 1, 1996). "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. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- Howard-Cooper, Scott (April 10, 1996). "Van Exel Delivers Blow to Referee in Loss by Lakers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- Litsky, Frank (April 11, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Van Exel Receives 7-Game Suspension". The New York Times. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- "Hitting Referee Costs Van Exel $187,000". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. April 11, 1996. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
- "Van Exel Shoves Ref, Nuggets Win". The Washington Post. April 10, 1996. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- Howard-Cooper, Scott (April 15, 1996). "Magic Gets Into the Act, Bumps Referee, Faces Ban". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 27, 2022.
- Litsky, Frank (April 16, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Lakers' Johnson Is Banned, Fined and Apologetic". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
- Howard-Cooper, Scott (April 16, 1996). "Magic's Bump Rap: Three Games". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- Cotton, Anthony (April 16, 1996). "Magic Johnson Suspended for Run-In with Referee". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
- "1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers Schedule and Results". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- MacMullan, Jackie (February 5, 1996). "Lakers Envision Johnson in Sixth-Man Role; Pricing Some Coveted Free Agents; Hawks Soar With Mookie". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- Cotton, Anthony (May 2, 1996). "As Lakers Try to Go Forward, Magic Misses the Point". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- Howard-Cooper, Scott (March 8, 1996). "Magic Reaches Big Milestone on Little Pass". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- "Jordan Rips Pistons for a Cool 53". Deseret News. Associated Press. March 8, 1996. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- "This Day in Lakers History: Magic Johnson Reaches 10,000 Career Assists". Lakers Nation. Staff Writer. March 7, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
- "1995–96 NBA Awards Voting". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
- "1995-96 Regular Season Award Winners". Eskimo.com. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- "1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- Friend, Tom (May 3, 1996). "NBA PLAYOFFS; Rockets Move On. Magic Might, Too". The New York Times. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 3, 1996). "Show's Over". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
- Cotton, Anthony (May 3, 1996). "In Houston, No Magic Moment". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
- "1996 NBA Western Conference First Round: Rockets vs. Lakers". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- "Online Document: Magic Johnson Retires Again". Deseret News. Associated Press. May 14, 1996. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- Brown, Clifton (May 15, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; Leaving on His Terms, Johnson Retires Again". The New York Times. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
- Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 15, 1996). "Pooof!: Johnson Retires on His Terms This Time". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- Adande, J.A. (May 15, 1996). "Magic Retires from Lakers". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- Howard-Cooper, Scott (May 16, 1996). "Magic: This Is for Good". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
- Howard-Cooper, Scott (June 27, 1996). "Kiss Vlade Goodbye?". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
- Brown, Clifton (June 28, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; With the Draft Over, Trading Season Begins". The New York Times. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
- "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Divac Agrees to a Trade with Charlotte". The New York Times. July 2, 1996. Retrieved June 21, 2023.
- Howard-Cooper, Scott (July 12, 1996). "Divac-for-Bryant Deal Done, Freeing Money for O'Neal". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
- Heisler, Mark (July 21, 1996). "A New Day for Vlade". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
- "Laker Trade May Signal Big Deal". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 17, 1996. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- "L.A. Trades for $$$, Not for New Talent". Deseret News. Associated Press. July 17, 1996. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
- "Lakers Sweeten Deal, Offer Shaq $120 Million". The Spokesman-Review. Wire Reports. July 18, 1996. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
- Povtak, Tim (August 27, 1996). "Magic Add Strong, Delete Wolf". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- "Furthermore". The Washington Post. August 27, 1996. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
- NY Times, Johnson, Unbowed by H.I.V., Will Return to Pro Basketball , accessed June 1, 2007.
- Schwartz, Larry. "Magic made Showtime a show". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on September 12, 2007. Retrieved September 13, 2007.
- "1995–96 Los Angeles Lakers Salaries". Basketball-Reference. Retrieved January 19, 2022.