1995–96 Portland Trail Blazers season
The 1995–96 NBA season was the 26th season for the Portland Trail Blazers in the National Basketball Association. After spending their first 25 years at the Memorial Coliseum, the Blazers began playing at the new Rose Garden Arena this season. The Blazers struggled through most of the season posting a 26–34 record around March 5. However, they would win 18 of their final 22 games to finish the season with a 44–38 record. Fourth in the Pacific Division and sixth in the Western Conference, making their 14th straight trip to the postseason and 19th in 20 years. Rookie Arvydas Sabonis was selected to the All-Rookie First Team.
In the playoffs, the Blazers were knocked out in the first round again losing to the Utah Jazz in five games, suffering a 38-point margin in a 102–64 loss in Game 5. Following the season, Rod Strickland demanded a trade no longer wanting to play for the Blazers. He was traded along with Harvey Grant to the Washington Bullets, while Buck Williams signed as a free agent with the New York Knicks, and James Robinson was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.Draft picks
Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | School/Club Team |
1 | 8 | Shawn Respert | SG | United States | Michigan State |
Roster
Regular season
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Playoffs
West First Round
Utah Jazz vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Last Playoff Meeting: 1992 Western Conference Finals
*Required overtimePlayer statistics
Season
Playoffs
Awards and honors
- Arvydas Sabonis, All-NBA Rookie First Team
Transactions