# 1996–97 Toronto Raptors season

The 1996–97 NBA season was the Raptors' second season in the National Basketball Association. The Raptors had the second overall pick in the 1996 NBA draft, and drafted Marcus Camby from the University of Massachusetts, and started their season with new head coach Darrell Walker. Veteran leadership was added as the team signed free agent Walt Williams, acquired Popeye Jones from the Dallas Mavericks, acquired three-point specialist Hubert Davis from the New York Knicks, and signed John Long, who came out of his retirement. The team also signed Benoit Benjamin, but released him to free agency after only just four games.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the NBA, the Raptors started their season by wearing throwback uniforms of the Toronto Huskies in their season opener against the New York Knicks at the SkyDome on November 1, 1996, but lost to the Knicks, 107–99. The Raptors got off to a 3–3 start to the season, but then lost six straight games afterwards, and held a 17–29 record at the All-Star break.
At mid-season, the team re-signed free agent Oliver Miller after a brief stint with the Dallas Mavericks, and traded Acie Earl to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for second-year guard Shawn Respert, while signing free agents Reggie Slater and Clifford Rozier. The Raptors finished last place in the Central Division with a 30–52 record, which was a nine-game improvement over their inaugural season.
Second-year star Damon Stoudamire averaged 20.2 points, 8.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game, while Williams averaged 16.4 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, and Camby provided the team with 14.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, and was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. In addition, Doug Christie contributed 14.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game, and finished in second place in Most Improved Player voting, while Carlos Rogers averaged 9.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game off the bench, and Jones provided with 7.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
Following the season, Davis signed as a free agent with the Dallas Mavericks, while Rozier signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Long retired.

## Draft picks

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
| 1 | 2 | Marcus Camby | C/PF | United States | UMass |

## Regular season
### Highs

* November 1, 1996 – To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the NBA, the first game of the season was played between the Raptors and the New York Knicks. Both teams wore throwback uniforms to recognize the anniversary. The Raptors wore the jerseys of the Toronto Huskies. The reason the game was played in Toronto was to recognize that the first ever NBA game was played in Toronto. The final score was 107–99 for the Knicks.
* November 8, 1996 – The Raptors pulled a huge upset by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers by a score of 93–92. One of the game's highlights was Popeye Jones blocking a shot by Shaquille O'Neal.
* December 8, 1996 – In a game against the defending NBA Champion Chicago Bulls, the Raptors pulled another upset by defeating the Bulls 97–89
* February 25, 1997 – Versus the Denver Nuggets, the Raptors had their highest point total of the season. The final score was 124–122 for the Raptors.

### Lows

* January 15, 1997 – The Raptors suffer one of their worst losses of the season. It was at the hands of the defending Western Conference champion Seattle SuperSonics by a score of 122–78.

### Season standings

| Central Divisionvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
| y-Chicago Bulls | 69 | 13 | .841 | – | 39–2 | 30–11 | 24–4 |
| x-Atlanta Hawks | 56 | 26 | .683 | 13 | 36–5 | 20–21 | 17–11 |
| x-Detroit Pistons | 54 | 28 | .659 | 15 | 30–11 | 24–17 | 17–11 |
| x-Charlotte Hornets | 54 | 28 | .659 | 15 | 30–11 | 24–17 | 14–14 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 42 | 40 | .512 | 27 | 25–16 | 17–24 | 13–15 |
| Indiana Pacers | 39 | 43 | .476 | 30 | 21–20 | 18–23 | 11–17 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 33 | 49 | .402 | 36 | 20–21 | 13–28 | 10–18 |
| Toronto Raptors | 30 | 52 | .366 | 39 | 18–23 | 12–29 | 6–22 |
1996–97 NBA East standings :
| # | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte | Eastern Conferencevte |
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
| 1 | z-Chicago Bulls | 69 | 13 | .841 | – |
| 2 | y-Miami Heat | 61 | 21 | .744 | 8 |
| 3 | x-New York Knicks | 57 | 25 | .695 | 12 |
| 4 | x-Atlanta Hawks | 56 | 26 | .683 | 13 |
| 5 | x-Detroit Pistons | 54 | 28 | .659 | 15 |
| 6 | x-Charlotte Hornets | 54 | 28 | .659 | 15 |
| 7 | x-Orlando Magic | 45 | 37 | .549 | 24 |
| 8 | x-Washington Bullets | 44 | 38 | .537 | 25 |
| 9 | Cleveland Cavaliers | 42 | 40 | .512 | 27 |
| 10 | Indiana Pacers | 39 | 43 | .476 | 30 |
| 11 | Milwaukee Bucks | 33 | 49 | .402 | 36 |
| 12 | Toronto Raptors | 30 | 52 | .366 | 39 |
| 13 | New Jersey Nets | 26 | 56 | .317 | 43 |
| 14 | Philadelphia 76ers | 22 | 60 | .268 | 47 |
| 15 | Boston Celtics | 15 | 67 | .183 | 54 |

### Record vs. opponents

1996-97 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 | — | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 |
| Boston | 1–3 | — | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 |
| Charlotte | 3–1 | 4–0 | — | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Chicago | 3–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | — | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 |
| Cleveland | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| Dallas | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | — | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 |
| Denver | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | — | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
| Detroit | 3–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
| Golden State | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | — | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 0–2 |
| Houston | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | — | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
| Indiana | 1–3 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| L.A. Clippers | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | — | 2–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–2 |
| L.A. Lakers | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | — | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 |
| Miami | 2–1 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 |
| Milwaukee | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | — | 0–2 | 2–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| Minnesota | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 1–1 |
| New Jersey | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 0–2 | — | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| New York | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 3–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
| Orlando | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 0–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | — | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 |
| Philadelphia | 0–4 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–3 | 2–2 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 |
| Phoenix | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 1–3 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| Portland | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | — | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 |
| Sacramento | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 2–2 | — | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 4–0 | 0–2 |
| San Antonio | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–3 | — | 0–4 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 |
| Seattle | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | — | 2–0 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 2–0 |
| Toronto | 0–4 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 0–3 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | — | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| Utah | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | — | 4–0 | 2–0 |
| Vancouver | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–4 | — | 1–1 |
| Washington | 1–2 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | — |

### Game log

1996–97 game log :
November: 4–10 (home: 4–6; road: 0–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
November 1
New York
L 99–107
Damon Stoudamire (28)
Popeye Jones (9)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
SkyDome 28,457
0–1
2
November 2
@ Charlotte
L 98–109
Damon Stoudamire (19)
Carlos Rogers (8)
Damon Stoudamire (5)
Charlotte Coliseum 24,042
0–2
3
November 5
Dallas
W 100–96
Walt Williams (34)
Carlos Rogers (12)
Damon Stoudamire (8)
SkyDome 17,065
1–2
4
November 8
L.A. Lakers
W 93–92
Damon Stoudamire (21)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
SkyDome 27,357
2-2
5
November 11
Denver
L 93–104
Marcus Camby (26)
Carlos Rogers (9)
Damon Stoudamire (6)
SkyDome 17,132
2–3
6
November 13
Philadelphia
W 110–98
Marcus Camby (23)
Popeye Jones (14)
Damon Stoudamire (12)
SkyDome 17,385
3-3
7
November 14
@ New York
L 96–99
Marcus Camby (29)
Popeye Jones (8)
Damon Stoudamire (13)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
3–4
8
November 16
@ Orlando
L 87–92
Walt Williams (29)
Doug Christie (7)
Damon Stoudamire (5)
Orlando Arena 17,248
3–5
9
November 19
Seattle
L 98–106
Doug Christie (31)
Popeye Jones (11)
Marcus Camby (4)
SkyDome 18,803
3–6
10
November 21
Cleveland
L 81–89
Damon Stoudamire (24)
Acie Earl (8)
Damon Stoudamire (6)
SkyDome 16,835
3–7
11
November 23
Atlanta
L 88–91
Damon Stoudamire (22)
Popeye Jones (9)
Damon Stoudamire (8)
SkyDome 16,838
3–8
12
November 26
Sacramento
L 87–98
Damon Stoudamire (27)
Popeye Jones (16)
Damon Stoudamire (6)
SkyDome 15,037
3–9
13
November 27
Charlotte
W 92–88
Walt Williams (23)
Popeye Jones (18)
Damon Stoudamire (6)
SkyDome 15,710
4–9
14
November 30
@ Minnesota
L 70–79
Damon Stoudamire (20)
Popeye Jones (15)
Doug Christie, Damon Stoudamire (4)
Target Center 18,679
4–10 :
December: 6–9 (home: 5–2; road: 1–7)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
15
December 2
Houston
W 100–89
Damon Stoudamire (27)
Popeye Jones (13)
Damon Stoudamire (11)
SkyDome 17,108
5–10
16
December 3
@ Cleveland
L 74–93
Doug Christie, Acie Earl (16)
Popeye Jones (9)
Damon Stoudamire (11)
Gund Arena 13,494
5–11
17
December 5
Washington
W 82–80
Walt Williams (29)
Popeye Jones (13)
Damon Stoudamire (9)
SkyDome 15,222
6–11
18
December 7
@ Atlanta
L 75–101
Walt Williams (17)
Popeye Jones (10)
Doug Christie, Damon Stoudamire (3)
Omni Coliseum 11,422
6–12
19
December 8
Chicago
W 97–89
Damon Stoudamire (31)
Popeye Jones (18)
Damon Stoudamire (13)
SkyDome 33,385
7–12
20
December 10
Golden State
L 91–101
Damon Stoudamire (19)
Carlos Rogers (8)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
SkyDome 15,132
7–13
21
December 11
@ Boston
L 113–115 (3OT)
Damon Stoudamire (31)
Popeye Jones (21)
Damon Stoudamire (12)
FleetCenter 14,760
7–14
22
December 14
@ Miami
L 88–89
Walt Williams (18)
Doug Christie, Carlos Rogers (8)
Doug Christie (6)
Miami Arena 14,712
7–15
23
December 16
Detroit
L 92–98
Damon Stoudamire (28)
Doug Christie, Carlos Rogers (6)
Damon Stoudamire (8)
SkyDome 16,546
7–16
24
December 17
@ New Jersey
W 97–88
Walt Williams (24)
Popeye Jones (12)
Doug Christie, Popeye Jones (3)
Continental Airlines Arena 10,078
8–16
25
December 19
Milwaukee
W 96–93
Damon Stoudamire (19)
Popeye Jones (17)
Damon Stoudamire (12)
SkyDome 15,321
9–16
26
December 20
@ Cleveland
L 82–91
Carlos Rogers (18)
Doug Christie (8)
Damon Stoudamire (7)
Gund Arena 14,624
9–17
27
December 22
@ Indiana
L 92–111
Carlos Rogers (15)
Popeye Jones (11)
Damon Stoudamire, Walt Williams (3)
Market Square Arena 14,533
9–18
28
December 26
New Jersey
W 98–96
Damon Stoudamire (18)
Popeye Jones (11)
Doug Christie (7)
Copps Coliseum 16,630
9–19
29
December 27
@ Washington
L 82–100
Doug Christie (20)
Marcus Camby (10)
Damon Stoudamire (8)
USAir Arena 18,756
10–19 :
January: 5–9 (home: 3–3; road: 2–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
30
January 2
@ Orlando
L 94–96 (OT)
Damon Stoudamire (32)
Popeye Jones (11)
Damon Stoudamire (12)
Orlando Arena 17,248
10–20
31
January 4
@ Detroit
L 74–118
Doug Christie (20)
Popeye Jones (7)
Damon Stoudamire (5)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454
10–21
32
January 7
L.A. Clippers
L 80–87
Damon Stoudamire (25)
Doug Christie (11)
Damon Stoudamire (9)
SkyDome 15,249
10–22
33
January 9
Utah
W 110–96
Damon Stoudamire (27)
Popeye Jones (14)
Doug Christie (10)
SkyDome 12,410
11–22
34
January 11
@ New Jersey
W 123–106
Damon Stoudamire, Walt Williams (28)
Marcus Camby, Popeye Jones (9)
Doug Christie, Damon Stoudamire (9)
Continental Airlines Arena 15,527
12–22
35
January 12
Orlando
L 85–88
Walt Williams (22)
Popeye Jones (10)
Damon Stoudamire (14)
SkyDome 21,416
12–23
36
January 15
@ Seattle
L 78–122
Doug Christie, Carlos Rogers (15)
Carlos Rogers, Walt Williams (7)
Damon Stoudamire (7)
KeyArena 17,072
12–24
37
January 17
@ Portland
W 94–92
Damon Stoudamire (24)
Popeye Jones (12)
Doug Christie (8)
Rose Garden 20,212
13–24
38
January 19
@ Vancouver
L 92–100
Damon Stoudamire (34)
Marcus Camby (11)
Damon Stoudamire (6)
General Motors Place 17,474
13–25
39
January 21
Minnesota
W 118–106
Walt Williams (32)
Popeye Jones (10)
Damon Stoudamire (17)
SkyDome 15,589
14–25
40
January 23
Miami
L 87–99
Walt Williams (23)
Marcus Camby (10)
Damon Stoudamire (11)
SkyDome 15,817
14–26
41
January 25
@ Chicago
L 98–110
Damon Stoudamire (26)
Popeye Jones (16)
Damon Stoudamire (11)
United Center 23,913
14–27
42
January 28
Portland
W 120–84
Doug Christie (33)
Clifford Rozier (11)
Damon Stoudamire (13)
SkyDome 15,327
15–27
43
January 29
@ Philadelphia
L 99–101
Damon Stoudamire (25)
Popeye Jones (10)
Doug Christie (6)
CoreStates Center 11,251
15–28 :
February: 5–9 (home: 2–4; road: 3–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
44
February 1
Phoenix
W 110–86
Walt Williams (33)
Popeye Jones (14)
Damon Stoudamire (13)
SkyDome 19,405
16–28
45
February 3
Boston
L 102–114
Damon Stoudamire (26)
Popeye Jones (11)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
SkyDome 15,259
16–29
46
February 5
Cleveland
W 89–84
Walt Williams (26)
Clifford Rozier (9)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
SkyDome 16,520
17–29
47
February 11
@ Milwaukee
L 96–101
Walt Williams (27)
Popeye Jones (14)
Damon Stoudamire (12)
Bradley Center 13,257
17–30
48
February 12
@ Atlanta
L 84–106
Damon Stoudamire, Walt Williams (15)
Clifford Rozier (7)
Damon Stoudamire (3)
Omni Coliseum 13,846
17–31
49
February 14
Milwaukee
L 102–106
Marcus Camby (21)
Oliver Miller (12)
Damon Stoudamire (14)
Maple Leaf Gardens 15,193
17–32
50
February 16
Detroit
L 89–92
Walt Williams (22)
Clifford Rozier (11)
Damon Stoudamire (15)
Maple Leaf Gardens 15,492
17–33
51
February 17
@ Indiana
L 103–105
Damon Stoudamire (23)
Oliver Miller (8)
Damon Stoudamire (11)
Market Square Arena 14,298
17–34
52
February 19
@ San Antonio
W 125–92
Damon Stoudamire (21)
Popeye Jones (11)
Damon Stoudamire (9)
Alamodome 13,179
18–34
53
February 20
@ Houston
L 97–107
Damon Stoudamire (17)
Popeye Jones (10)
Damon Stoudamire (7)
The Summit 16,285
18–35
54
February 22
@ Dallas
W 99–92
Doug Christie (22)
Oliver Miller (8)
Damon Stoudamire (9)
Reunion Arena 16,314
19–35
55
February 25
@ Denver
W 124–122 (OT)
Damon Stoudamire (35)
Popeye Jones (7)
Damon Stoudamire (5)
McNichols Sports Arena 9,225
20–35
56
February 27
@ Utah
L 114–118
Walt Williams (32)
Popeye Jones, Carlos Rogers (8)
Damon Stoudamire (8)
Delta Center 19,911
20–36
57
February 28
@ L.A. Clippers
L 92–94
Damon Stoudamire (22)
Carlos Rogers (11)
Doug Christie, Damon Stoudamire (5)
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 8,574
20–37 :
March: 6–10 (home: 3–7; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
58
March 3
Boston
L 103–107
Carlos Rogers (17)
Carlos Rogers, Damon Stoudamire (7)
Damon Stoudamire (17)
SkyDome 15,385
20–38
59
March 5
New York
L 94–100
Marcus Camby, Doug Christie (24)
Marcus Camby (9)
Damon Stoudamire (8)
SkyDome 18,319
20–39
60
March 7
San Antonio
L 103–106
Damon Stoudamire (25)
Marcus Camby (9)
Doug Christie (9)
SkyDome 16,178
20–40
61
March 9
Vancouver
W 81–77
Walt Williams (16)
Marcus Camby (12)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
SkyDome 19,186
21–40
62
March 11
@ Phoenix
W 105–101
Marcus Camby (23)
Clifford Rozier (14)
Damon Stoudamire (9)
America West Arena 19,023
22–40
63
March 13
@ Sacramento
W 103–96
Damon Stoudamire (31)
Marcus Camby, Walt Williams (6)
Damon Stoudamire (6)
ARCO Arena 17,317
23–40
64
March 15
@ Golden State
L 102–106
Marcus Camby (27)
Marcus Camby (9)
Damon Stoudamire (14)
San Jose Arena 15,058
23–41
65
March 16
@ L.A. Lakers
L 90–98 (OT)
Damon Stoudamire (25)
Marcus Camby (11)
Damon Stoudamire (8)
Great Western Forum 16,839
23–42
66
March 18
Philadelphia
W 117–105
Marcus Camby (36)
Doug Christie, Damon Stoudamire (10)
Damon Stoudamire (12)
Maple Leaf Gardens 15,219
24–42
67
March 19
@ Detroit
W 99–97
Marcus Camby (28)
Marcus Camby (14)
Doug Christie (7)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454
25–42
68
March 21
Charlotte
L 97–102
Damon Stoudamire (29)
Marcus Camby (16)
Doug Christie (9)
SkyDome 16,993
25–43
69
March 23
Atlanta
L 79–90
Marcus Camby (37)
Marcus Camby, Walt Williams (8)
Damon Stoudamire (9)
SkyDome 18,533
25–44
70
March 25
Indiana
L 84–98
Walt Williams (16)
Marcus Camby (10)
Damon Stoudamire (6)
SkyDome 15,763
25–45
71
March 27
Chicago
L 83–96
Damon Stoudamire (18)
Clifford Rozier (10)
Damon Stoudamire (12)
SkyDome 34,104
25–46
72
March 28
@ Washington
L 86–113
Doug Christie (17)
Reggie Slater (10)
Damon Stoudamire (3)
USAir Arena 18,756
25–47
73
March 30
Miami
W 102–97
Damon Stoudamire (35)
Popeye Jones (12)
Damon Stoudamire (11)
SkyDome 17,959
26–47 :
April: 4–5 (home: 1–2; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
74
April 2
@ Philadelphia
W 112–90
Doug Christie (29)
Doug Christie (15)
Damon Stoudamire (15)
CoreStates Center 13,769
27–47
75
April 5
@ Miami
L 84–98
Damon Stoudamire (25)
Marcus Camby, Clifford Rozier (6)
Damon Stoudamire (7)
Miami Arena 15,200
27–48
76
April 8
Washington
W 100–94
Damon Stoudamire (29)
Clifford Rozier (10)
Damon Stoudamire (13)
SkyDome 17,159
28–48
77
April 10
Orlando
L 69–105
Sharone Wright (17)
Popeye Jones (12)
Damon Stoudamire (5)
SkyDome 20,280
28–49
78
April 12
Indiana
L 89–100
Damon Stoudamire (22)
Popeye Jones, Clifford Rozier (11)
Damon Stoudamire (11)
SkyDome 21,832
28–50
79
April 14
@ Chicago
L 100–117
Damon Stoudamire (29)
Carlos Rogers (12)
Damon Stoudamire (12)
United Center 23,896
28–51
80
April 15
@ Milwaukee
L 85–92
Reggie Slater (19)
Clifford Rozier (13)
Damon Stoudamire (11)
Bradley Center 14,652
28–52
81
April 18
@ Charlotte
W 108–100
Damon Stoudamire (28)
Marcus Camby, Popeye Jones (8)
Damon Stoudamire (9)
Charlotte Coliseum 24,042
29–52
82
April 20
@ Boston
W 125–94
Damon Stoudamire (32)
Popeye Jones (12)
Damon Stoudamire (6)
FleetCenter 17,820
30–52 :
1996–97 season schedule :

## Player statistics
### Ragular season

| Player | POS | GP | GS | MP | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | MPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Damon Stoudamire | PG | 81 | 81 | 3,311 | 330 | 709 | 123 | 13 | 1,634 | 40.9 | 4.1 | 8.8 | 1.5 | .2 | 20.2 |
| Doug Christie | SG | 81 | 81 | 3,127 | 432 | 315 | 201 | 45 | 1,176 | 38.6 | 5.3 | 3.9 | 2.5 | .6 | 14.5 |
| Popeye Jones | PF | 79 | 61 | 2,421 | 680 | 84 | 58 | 39 | 616 | 30.6 | 8.6 | 1.1 | .7 | .5 | 7.8 |
| Walt Williams | SF | 73 | 73 | 2,647 | 367 | 197 | 97 | 62 | 1,199 | 36.3 | 5.0 | 2.7 | 1.3 | .8 | 16.4 |
| Marcus Camby | C | 63 | 38 | 1,897 | 394 | 97 | 66 | 130 | 935 | 30.1 | 6.3 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 2.1 | 14.8 |
| Sharone Wright | C | 60 | 28 | 1,009 | 186 | 28 | 15 | 50 | 390 | 16.8 | 3.1 | .5 | .3 | .8 | 6.5 |
| Carlos Rogers | PF | 56 | 3 | 1,397 | 304 | 37 | 42 | 69 | 551 | 24.9 | 5.4 | .7 | .8 | 1.2 | 9.8 |
| Clifford Rozier$^†$ | C | 41 | 29 | 732 | 234 | 31 | 24 | 44 | 189 | 17.9 | 5.7 | .8 | .6 | 1.1 | 4.6 |
| Acie Earl$^†$ | C | 38 | 0 | 457 | 85 | 18 | 12 | 27 | 162 | 12.0 | 2.2 | .5 | .3 | .7 | 4.3 |
| Hubert Davis | SG | 36 | 0 | 623 | 40 | 34 | 11 | 2 | 181 | 17.3 | 1.1 | .9 | .3 | .1 | 5.0 |
| John Long | SG | 32 | 0 | 370 | 40 | 21 | 9 | 2 | 129 | 11.6 | 1.3 | .7 | .3 | .1 | 4.0 |
| Donald Whiteside | PG | 27 | 1 | 259 | 12 | 36 | 11 | 0 | 59 | 9.6 | .4 | 1.3 | .4 | .0 | 2.2 |
| Shawn Respert$^†$ | SG | 27 | 0 | 412 | 32 | 32 | 20 | 2 | 152 | 15.3 | 1.2 | 1.2 | .7 | .1 | 5.6 |
| Reggie Slater | PF | 26 | 0 | 406 | 95 | 21 | 9 | 6 | 203 | 15.6 | 3.7 | .8 | .3 | .2 | 7.8 |
| Oliver Miller$^†$ | C | 19 | 8 | 316 | 73 | 29 | 13 | 13 | 114 | 16.6 | 3.8 | 1.5 | .7 | .7 | 6.0 |
| Žan Tabak | C | 13 | 4 | 218 | 49 | 14 | 6 | 11 | 84 | 16.8 | 3.8 | 1.1 | .5 | .8 | 6.5 |
| Martin Lewis | SF | 9 | 0 | 50 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 5.6 | .7 | .4 | .1 | .2 | 1.6 |
| Earl Cureton | PF | 9 | 0 | 46 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 5.1 | 1.0 | .4 | .0 | .0 | .8 |
| Brad Lohaus | PF | 6 | 0 | 45 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 7.5 | 1.2 | .2 | .2 | .0 | 1.7 |
| Benoit Benjamin | C | 4 | 3 | 44 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 11.0 | 2.3 | .3 | .3 | .0 | 3.3 |
| Jimmy Oliver | SG | 4 | 0 | 43 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 10.8 | 1.3 | .3 | .5 | .0 | 2.8 |
* $^†$ Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Raptors only.

## Award winners

* Marcus Camby, First Team, NBA All-Rookie Team