The 1995–96 NBA season was the Kings' 47th season in the National Basketball Association , and 11th season in Sacramento .[ 1] In the 1995 NBA draft , the Kings selected Corliss Williamson from the University of Arkansas with the thirteenth overall pick, and selected Tyus Edney from the University of California, Los Angeles with the 47th overall pick.[ 2] [ 3] [ 4] [ 5] During the off-season, the team acquired Šarūnas Marčiulionis from the Seattle SuperSonics ,[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] and acquired Tyrone Corbin from the Atlanta Hawks .[ 9] [ 10] [ 11] The Kings would play their best basketball winning their first five games of the season. However, things turned ugly as a brawl occurred in a 119–95 road win over the Indiana Pacers on November 10, 1995, with a total of 16 players, eight from each team suspended.[ 12] [ 13] [ 14] [ 15] [ 16]
The team played above .500 for the first half of the season, holding a 24–20 record at the All-Star break.[ 17] However, after a 24–17 start, the Kings struggled losing eleven straight games in February, as they traded Corbin and Walt Williams to the Miami Heat in exchange for Billy Owens and Kevin Gamble .[ 18] [ 19] [ 20] [ 21] Despite their struggles, the Kings would finally end their nine-year playoff drought by winning 9 of their final 15 games; they would capture the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with a 39–43 record, which was the same record as the previous season, and in fifth place in the Pacific Division.[ 22] [ 23]
Mitch Richmond averaged 23.1 points and 1.5 steals per game, led the Kings with 225 three-point field goals, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team, while being selected for the 1996 NBA All-Star Game in San Antonio, Texas .[ 24] [ 25] [ 26] [ 27] In addition, second-year forward Brian Grant averaged 14.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, while Olden Polynice provided the team with 12.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, and Edney provided with 10.8 points and 6.1 assists per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Off the bench, Marčiulionis contributed 10.8 points per game, but only played 53 games due to a knee injury,[ 28] [ 29] and second-year forward Michael Smith averaged 5.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.[ 30]
In the Western Conference First Round of the playoffs , the Kings faced off against the top-seeded Seattle SuperSonics ; despite winning Game 2 on the road, 90–81,[ 31] [ 32] [ 33] the Kings would lose the series in four games as Richmond sprained his ankle in Game 4, which the Kings lost at home, 101–87 to the SuperSonics.[ 34] [ 35] [ 36] [ 37] It was also their only playoff appearance with Richmond on the team. The SuperSonics would reach the NBA Finals , but would lose in six games to the Chicago Bulls .[ 38] [ 39] [ 40] [ 41] [ 42]
Following the season, Marčiulionis was traded to the Denver Nuggets after only one season with the Kings.[ 43] [ 44] [ 45]
1995–96 Sacramento Kings roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
C
31
Causwell, Duane
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
240 lb (109 kg)
1968–05–31
Temple
G
5
Edney, Tyus
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
152 lb (69 kg)
1973–02–14
UCLA
G/F
40
Gamble, Kevin
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1965–11–13
Iowa
F
33
Grant, Brian
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
254 lb (115 kg)
1972–03–05
Xavier
F
35
Houston, Byron
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
250 lb (113 kg)
1969–11–22
Oklahoma State
G
7
Hurley, Bobby
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
165 lb (75 kg)
1971–06–28
Duke
G
13
Marčiulionis, Šarūnas
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
1964–06–13
Lithuania
G
20
McDaniel, Clint
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
1972–02–26
Arkansas
F
30
Owens, Billy
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1969–05–01
Syracuse
C
0
Polynice, Olden
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1964–11–21
Virginia
G
2
Richmond, Mitch
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
1965–06–30
Kansas State
F
22
Simmons, Lionel
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1968–11–14
La Salle
F
34
Smith, Michael
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
1972–03–28
Providence
F
4
Williamson, Corliss
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
245 lb (111 kg)
1973–12–04
Arkansas
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended Injured
Roster Last transaction: February 22, 1996
z – clinched conference title
y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff spot
Record vs. opponents
edit
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
—
1996 playoff game log
First round: 1–3 (home: 0–2; road: 1–1)
1996 schedule
† Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Kings only.
Player Transactions Citation:[ 46]
^ 1995-96 Sacramento Kings
^ Wise, Mike (June 29, 1995). "PRO BASKETBALL; Underclassmen Rule Atop N.B.A. Draft Board" . The New York Times . Retrieved June 3, 2023 .
^ Heisler, Mark (June 29, 1995). "NBA Is a Young Man's Game: Draft: Smith, McDyess, Stackhouse, Wallace and Garnett Lead the Way" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved June 3, 2023 .
^ "First-Round Selections in the 1995 NBA Draft" . Hartford Courant . June 29, 1995. Retrieved June 3, 2023 .
^ "1995 NBA Draft" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 3, 2023 .
^ "Sonics Trade Houston, Marciulionis to Kings" . The Seattle Times . September 18, 1995. Retrieved October 5, 2022 .
^ "Toronto Expands Quickly, Getting Five for Armstrong" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. September 19, 1995. Retrieved May 15, 2022 .
^ "Sonics Get Brickowski for Marciulionis" . The Spokesman-Review . Wire Reports. September 19, 1995. Retrieved January 29, 2023 .
^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Kings Trade an Unhappy Webb" . The New York Times . June 30, 1995. Retrieved January 18, 2022 .
^ "NBA ROUNDUP: Lockout Gets Closer; Webb Goes to Hawks" . Los Angeles Times . Times Wire Services. June 30, 1995. Retrieved November 10, 2022 .
^ "Kings Ship Spud Back to Hawks" . Tampa Bay Times . June 30, 1995. Retrieved January 30, 2023 .
^ "Kings 119, Pacers 95" . United Press International. November 11, 1995. Retrieved May 14, 2022 .
^ "Which Players Weren't Suspended?: Pro Basketball: NBA Punishes Eight Pacers, Eight Kings for Fighting. Penalties Will Have to Be Staggered" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. November 12, 1995. Retrieved February 24, 2017 .
^ "NBA Suspends 16 from Pacers, Kings for Fighting" . The Seattle Times . Seattle Times News Services. November 12, 1995. Retrieved January 13, 2023 .
^ "Pacers, Kings Receive 16 Suspensions for Fight" . Tampa Bay Times . November 12, 1995. Retrieved June 21, 2023 .
^ Diaz, George (November 12, 1995). "Brawl Puts Key Pacers Out of Magic Game" . Orlando Sentinel . Retrieved November 10, 2022 .
^ "NBA Games Played on February 8, 1996" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 18, 2022 .
^ Brown, Clifton (February 23, 1996). "PRO BASKETBALL; On Deadline, Riley Makes Bold Moves" . The New York Times . Retrieved July 18, 2021 .
^ Winderman, Ira (February 23, 1996). "Meet the New Heat: Miami's Trades Bring 5 Players" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved September 16, 2022 .
^ "Riley's Heat The Big Movers on D-Day" . Deseret News . Associated Press. February 23, 1996. Retrieved June 22, 2023 .
^ Patton, Robes (February 24, 1996). "Heat's Months of Preparation Pay Off on Trading Day" . Sun Sentinel . Retrieved December 3, 2022 .
^ "Results Plus" . The New York Times . April 20, 1996. Retrieved January 13, 2023 .
^ "1995–96 Sacramento Kings Schedule and Results" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021 .
^ Bembry, Jerry (January 31, 1996). "NBA Coaches Recognize Howard's Star Quality; Bullets' 2nd-Year Player Named Eastern Reserve" . The Baltimore Sun . Retrieved April 19, 2023 .
^ Heisler, Mark (February 11, 1996). "NBA Has All-Stars in Its Eyes" . Los Angeles Times . Retrieved January 2, 2023 .
^ "1996 NBA All-Star Recap" . NBA.com. NBA.com Staff. September 13, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2023 .
^ "1996 NBA All-Star Game: East 129, West 118" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved November 27, 2021 .
^ Massel, Craig (February 28, 1996). "Whew! Skid Is in Past: Fourth-Quarter Rally Ends Kings Losing Streak at Eleven" . Record Net.com . Retrieved February 1, 2023 .
^ Massel, Craig (April 1, 1996). "Return of Sixth Man from Injury Has Sacramento Winning Again" . Record Net.com . Retrieved February 1, 2023 .
^ "1995–96 Sacramento Kings Roster and Stats" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021 .
^ "NBA PLAYOFFS; Kings End 15-Year Drought in Playoff Upset of Sonics" . The New York Times . Associated Press. April 29, 1996. Retrieved January 14, 2022 .
^ "Richmond Scores 37 to Help Sacramento Steal One in Seattle" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. April 29, 1996. Retrieved September 24, 2022 .
^ "Kings Latest to Lower Boom on Sonics" . The Washington Post . April 29, 1996. Retrieved February 24, 2023 .
^ "Seattle Finally Reaches Round 2" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. May 3, 1996. Retrieved July 26, 2017 .
^ "Sonics Trounce Kings, Live to See Second Round; Payton, Kemp Guide Relieved Seattle Into Quarterfinals Against Houston" . The Spokesman-Review . Associated Press. May 3, 1996. Retrieved November 25, 2022 .
^ "SuperSonics 101, Kings 87" . United Press International. May 3, 1996. Retrieved June 4, 2022 .
^ "1996 NBA Western Conference First Round: Kings vs. SuperSonics" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023 .
^ Brown, Clifton (June 17, 1996). "N.B.A. FINALS; After a Few Anxious Days, Jordan and Bulls Get Their Title" . The New York Times . Retrieved June 10, 2022 .
^ "Bulls Drown Out SuperSonics, 87-75" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. June 17, 1996. Retrieved July 24, 2022 .
^ Hirsley, Michael (June 17, 1996). "Game 6 Telecast Brings Happy Ending Home" . Chicago Tribune . Retrieved June 10, 2022 .
^ Judd, Ron C. (June 17, 1996). "Not This Time -- Sonic Hopes End 87-75 as Bulls Win Fourth Title" . The Seattle Times . Retrieved December 13, 2022 .
^ "1996 NBA Finals: SuperSonics vs. Bulls" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved February 5, 2023 .
^ "Nuggets Trade Abdul-Rauf to Sacramento" . United Press International. June 13, 1996. Retrieved January 30, 2023 .
^ "PRO BASKETBALL; Nuggets Trade Abdul-Rauf, Acquire Pacers' Jackson" . The New York Times . Associated Press. June 14, 1996. Retrieved January 18, 2022 .
^ "In One of Two Deals, Abdul-Rauf Is Traded" . Los Angeles Times . Associated Press. June 14, 1996. Retrieved October 10, 2022 .
^ "1995–96 Sacramento Kings Transactions" . Basketball-Reference. Retrieved July 9, 2021 .