# 1995–96 Toronto Raptors season

The 1995–96 NBA season was the Toronto Raptors' first season in the National Basketball Association. The Raptors, along with the Vancouver Grizzlies, became expansion teams in the NBA during the 1995–96 season, and were the first teams in the league (or its predecessor the Basketball Association of America) to play in Canada since the 1946–47 Toronto Huskies. Retired All-Star point guard, and former Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas became the team's General Manager. The Raptors revealed a new primary logo of a dinosaur playing basketball, and got new pinstripe uniforms with the logo on the front of their jerseys, adding purple and red to their color scheme.
In the 1995 NBA expansion draft, the Raptors selected veteran players like B.J. Armstrong, Oliver Miller, Willie Anderson, Tony Massenburg, Ed Pinckney, Žan Tabak, Acie Earl and John Salley. However, Armstrong refused to play for the Raptors, and was traded to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for second-year forward Carlos Rogers and Victor Alexander. The team also signed free agents, former All-Star guard Alvin Robertson, and three-point specialist Tracy Murray. The Raptors received the seventh overall pick in the 1995 NBA draft, and selected point guard Damon Stoudamire from the University of Arizona. The team also hired Brendan Malone as their first ever head coach.
In their NBA regular season debut on November 3, 1995, the Raptors defeated the New Jersey Nets at the SkyDome, 94–79, but went on a 7-game losing streak afterwards, and held a 13–34 record at the All-Star break. At mid-season, the team traded Anderson, and Alexander to the New York Knicks in exchange for Doug Christie, and then traded Massenburg, and Pinckney to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for second-year forward Sharone Wright, while Salley was released to free agency and signed with the Chicago Bulls. The Raptors finished their inaugural season in last place in the Central Division with a 21–61 record.
Stoudamire averaged 19.0 points, 9.3 assists and 1.4 steals per game, and was named Rookie of the Year, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team; he also won the MVP award in the Rookie Game during the All-Star Weekend in San Antonio, Texas. In addition, Murray finished second on the team in scoring, averaging 16.2 points per game, led the Raptors with 151 three-point field goals, and finished tied in fifth place in Most Improved Player voting, while Miller provided the team with 12.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.9 blocks per game, and Robertson contributed 9.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game. Off the bench, Tabak provided with 7.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, while Rogers also contributed 7.7 points per game, and Earl contributed 7.5 points per game.
Following the season, Malone was fired as head coach after just one season with the Raptors, while Murray signed as a free agent with the Washington Bullets, Miller signed with the Dallas Mavericks, and Robertson retired after ten seasons in the NBA. The Raptors' new logo would remain in use until 2008, where they changed the background of the logo from purple to red, while the original logo with the dinosaur lasted until 2015; the new pinstripe uniforms lasted until 1999.

## Offseason
### Expansion draft

The team's roster was then filled as a result of an expansion draft in 1995. Following a coin flip, Toronto was given first choice and selected Chicago Bulls point guard and three-point specialist B. J. Armstrong. Armstrong refused to report for training, and Thomas promptly traded him to the Golden State Warriors for power forwards Carlos Rogers and Victor Alexander. Thomas then selected a wide range of players in the expansion draft.
| Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | Former Team |
| 1 | B. J. Armstrong | Point guard | United States | Chicago Bulls |
| 3 | Tony Massenburg | Forward | United States | Los Angeles Clippers |
| 5 | Andrés Guibert | Forward-Centre | Cuba | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| 7 | Keith Jennings | Point guard | United States | Golden State Warriors |
| 9 | Dontonio Wingfield | Forward | United States | Seattle SuperSonics |
| 11 | Doug Smith | Forward | United States | Dallas Mavericks |
| 13 | Jerome Kersey | Small forward | United States | Portland Trail Blazers |
| 15 | Žan Tabak | Centre | Croatia | Houston Rockets |
| 17 | Willie Anderson | Guard-Forward | United States | San Antonio Spurs |
| 19 | Ed Pinckney | Forward | United States | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 21 | Acie Earl | Centre | United States | Boston Celtics |
| 23 | B. J. Tyler | Point guard | United States | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 25 | John Salley | Power forward | United States | Miami Heat |
| 27 | Oliver Miller | Centre | United States | Detroit Pistons |

### NBA draft

Subsequent to the expansion draft, Toronto was given the seventh pick, after the Vancouver Grizzlies, in the 1995 NBA draft. They selected Damon Stoudamire, a point guard out of University of Arizona, around whom Thomas chose to base the franchise. The selection of Stoudamire was met with boos from fans at the 1995 NBA draft at SkyDome in Toronto, Ontario, many of whom wanted 1995 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player Ed O'Bannon of UCLA, who was taken with the next pick by the New Jersey Nets (and, unlike Stoudamire, would not have success and be out of the league after two seasons), The Raptors' second selection was guard Jimmy King from Michigan, a senior and part of the recruiting class of 1991 that became known as The Fab Five.
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
| 1 | 7 | Damon Stoudamire | Point Guard | United States | Arizona |
| 2 | 35 | Jimmy King | Shooting Guard | United States | Michigan |

## Roster
### Roster notes

* Point guard Keith Jennings missed the entire season due to a preseason knee injury.
* Point guard B.J. Tyler missed the entire season due to permanent nerve damage after accidentally falling asleep with an ice pack on his ankle, and never played for the Raptors.

## The first game

The Raptors’ first ever regular season game was played on November 3, 1995, against the New Jersey Nets at the SkyDome in front of 33,306 fans. Alvin Robertson scored the first points in Raptors history, as he hit a three pointer to give Toronto an early 3–0 lead. The Raptors were led by Robertson, who scored a team high 30 points, as well as Damon Stoudamire, who had a double double in his first career game, scoring 10 points and adding 10 assists, as the Raptors defeated the Nets 94–79.

## Regular season

The team played its first season in the Central Division, and before the inaugural season began, sales of Raptors merchandise ranked seventh in the league, marking a successful return of basketball to Canada. As GM, Isiah Thomas quickly staffed the management positions with his own personnel, naming long-time Detroit Pistons assistant Brendan Malone as the Raptors' head coach.
The Raptors concluded their inaugural season with a 21–61 win–loss record, although they were one of the nine teams to defeat the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls, who set an NBA best 72–10 win–loss regular season record. With averages of 19.0 points and 9.3 assists per game, Stoudamire also won the 1995–96 Rookie of the Year Award.

### Highs

* December 10, 1995, The Raptors play the Vancouver Grizzlies for the first time. The game is held at General Motors Place in Vancouver. The Raptors win the game by a score of 93–81.
* March 24, 1996 – The Raptors beat the eventual NBA Champion Chicago Bulls by a score of 109–108, one of only ten losses the Bulls would suffer that season. Michael Jordan attempted to win the game on the final shot. Though the ball went in, it did not count because the ball left his hand after the final buzzer.
* March 31, 1996 – The legendary Magic Johnson played his only game against the Toronto Raptors in Toronto. The Los Angeles Lakers won the game by a score of 111–106.

#### Stoudamire's breakout year

Stoudamire had a noteworthy rookie season with the Toronto Raptors averaging 9.3 assists and 19 points. He earned the nickname "Mighty Mouse" due to the fact he stands only 5'10" (1.77 m), and that he had a Mighty Mouse tattoo on his right arm going into his rookie season. Damon currently holds the record of having the third-highest assist average ever by a rookie, and rookie record setter for 3-pointers with 133, breaking the 3-point record previously held by Dennis Scott. Stoudamire was ranked second in scoring among all rookies in his rookie season, and led all rookies in minutes played and assists. He received the Shick Rookie of the Month Award twice and unanimously made the Shick All Rookie First Team. That same year Stoudamire was also awarded the Rookie of the Year Award for the 1995–1996 season, receiving 76 of the 113 possible votes and the Most Valuable Player of the All-Star Rookie Game. Stoudamire holds the record for being the second-lowest draft pick (seventh overall) to ever win the Rookie of the Year Award, the lowest being Mark Jackson (eighteenth overall). Damon is also known as the shortest player at 5'10" to ever win this award. He did not play the last 10 games of his rookie season due to an injury, Tendinitis in his left knee. The Raptors went 2–8 without him and finished 21–61 in his and the Raptors' rookie season.

### Lows

* November 15, 1995 – The Raptors lose to the Houston Rockets by a score of 96 – 93. The loss culminates in a seven-game losing streak for the Raptors, the longest losing streak of the season.
* February 29, 1996 – The seven-game losing streak was duplicated. In a loss to the San Antonio Spurs, the final score was 120 – 95.
* March 29, 1996 – The Raptors suffer their worst loss of the season. The score was 126–86 in favour of the Orlando Magic. Prior to the game, Isiah Thomas and Brendan Malone got into an argument regarding playing time for rookies.

### Season standings

| Central Division | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | GP |
| z–Chicago Bulls | 72 | 10 | .878 | – | 39‍–‍2 | 33‍–‍8 | 24–4 | 82 |
| x–Indiana Pacers | 52 | 30 | .634 | 20.0 | 32‍–‍9 | 20‍–‍21 | 19–9 | 82 |
| x–Cleveland Cavaliers | 47 | 35 | .573 | 25.0 | 26‍–‍15 | 21‍–‍20 | 13–15 | 82 |
| x–Atlanta Hawks | 46 | 36 | .561 | 26.0 | 26‍–‍15 | 20‍–‍21 | 15–13 | 82 |
| x–Detroit Pistons | 46 | 36 | .561 | 26.0 | 30‍–‍11 | 16‍–‍25 | 15–13 | 82 |
| Charlotte Hornets | 41 | 41 | .500 | 31.0 | 25‍–‍16 | 16‍–‍25 | 13–15 | 82 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 25 | 57 | .305 | 47.0 | 14‍–‍27 | 11‍–‍30 | 8–20 | 82 |
| Toronto Raptors | 21 | 61 | .256 | 51.0 | 15‍–‍26 | 6‍–‍35 | 5–23 | 82 |
Eastern Conference :
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | GP |
| 1 | z–Chicago Bulls | 72 | 10 | .878 | – | 82 |
| 2 | y–Orlando Magic | 60 | 22 | .732 | 12.0 | 82 |
| 3 | x–Indiana Pacers | 52 | 30 | .634 | 20.0 | 82 |
| 4 | x–Cleveland Cavaliers | 47 | 35 | .573 | 25.0 | 82 |
| 5 | x–New York Knicks | 47 | 35 | .573 | 25.0 | 82 |
| 6 | x–Atlanta Hawks | 46 | 36 | .561 | 26.0 | 82 |
| 7 | x–Detroit Pistons | 46 | 36 | .561 | 26.0 | 82 |
| 8 | x–Miami Heat | 42 | 40 | .512 | 30.0 | 82 |
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets | 41 | 41 | .500 | 31.0 | 82 |
| 10 | Washington Bullets | 39 | 43 | .476 | 33.0 | 82 |
| 11 | Boston Celtics | 33 | 49 | .402 | 39.0 | 82 |
| 12 | New Jersey Nets | 30 | 52 | .366 | 42.0 | 82 |
| 13 | Milwaukee Bucks | 25 | 57 | .305 | 47.0 | 82 |
| 14 | Toronto Raptors | 21 | 61 | .256 | 51.0 | 82 |
| 15 | Philadelphia 76ers | 18 | 64 | .220 | 54.0 | 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

1995–96 game log :
November: 5–10 (home: 4–4; road: 1–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
November 3
New Jersey
W 94–79
Alvin Robertson (30)
Alvin Robertson (7)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
SkyDome 33,306
1–0
2
November 4
@ Indiana
L 89–97
Damon Stoudamire (26)
John Salley (9)
Damon Stoudamire (11)
Market Square Arena 16,640
1-1
3
November 7
@ Chicago
L 108–117
Willie Anderson (23)
Oliver Miller (9)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
United Center 23,102
1–2
4
November 8
Sacramento
L 90–109
Tracy Murray (22)
Oliver Miller (11)
Willie Anderson (4)
SkyDome 16,793
1–3
5
November 10
Phoenix
L 108–112
Tracy Murray (23)
John Salley (11)
Damon Stoudamire (7)
SkyDome 25,207
1–4
6
November 11
@ Charlotte
L 117–123 (OT)
Willie Anderson (24)
Willie Anderson (9)
Alvin Robertson (7)
Charlotte Coliseum 24,042
1–5
7
November 13
Utah
L 100–103
Willie Anderson, Alvin Robertson (22)
Ed Pinckney (10)
Damon Stoudamire (9)
SkyDome 18,351
1–6
8
November 15
Houston
L 93–96
Damon Stoudamire, Žan Tabak (20)
Žan Tabak (15)
Alvin Robertson (10)
SkyDome 20,831
1–7
9
November 17
Minnesota
W 114–96
Damon Stoudamire (20)
Oliver Miller, Damon Stoudamire (7)
Damon Stoudamire (13)
SkyDome 18,401
2–7
10
November 18
@ Washington
W 103–102
Damon Stoudamire (23)
Willie Anderson (9)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
USAir Arena 18,756
3–7
11
November 21
Seattle
W 102–97
Oliver Miller (23)
Damon Stoudamire (12)
Damon Stoudamire (11)
SkyDome 21,836
4–7
12
November 22
@ Milwaukee
L 86–96
Alvin Robertson (18)
Ed Pinckney (8)
Damon Stoudamire (9)
Bradley Center 14,959
4–8
13
November 25
@ Atlanta
L 102–114
Tracy Murray (22)
Ed Pinckney (13)
Damon Stoudamire (9)
Omni Coliseum 10,253
4–9
14
November 27
Golden State
W 101–98
Willie Anderson (26)
John Salley (9)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
SkyDome 19,563
5–9
15
November 28
@ Cleveland
L 89–93
Damon Stoudamire (18)
Žan Tabak (8)
Willie Anderson (5)
Gund Arena 15,188
5–10 :
December: 4–11 (home: 3–4; road: 1–7)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
16
December 1
Philadelphia
W 105–102
Willie Anderson (23)
Ed Pinckney (16)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
SkyDome 19,789
6–10
17
December 3
Miami
L 94–112
Oliver Miller (29)
Ed Pinckney (12)
Damon Stoudamire (15)
SkyDome 21,238
6–11
18
December 5
@ Seattle
L 89–119
Tracy Murray (23)
Oliver Miller, Alvin Robertson, Žan Tabak (5)
Alvin Robertson, Damon Stoudamire (5)
KeyArena 17,072
6–12
19
December 7
@ Portland
L 88–96
Tracy Murray (28)
Ed Pinckney (15)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
Rose Garden 20,039
6–13
20
December 8
@ L.A. Lakers
L 103–120
Damon Stoudamire (20)
Ed Pinckney (8)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
Great Western Forum 12,982
6–14
21
December 10
@ Vancouver
W 93–81
Damon Stoudamire (24)
Ed Pinckney (16)
Damon Stoudamire (8)
General Motors Place 17,438
7–14
22
December 12
Boston
L 96–116
Damon Stoudamire (18)
Ed Pinckney (8)
Damon Stoudamire (9)
SkyDome 21,875
7–15
23
December 14
Indiana
L 100–102
Oliver Miller (22)
Oliver Miller (12)
Damon Stoudamire (13)
SkyDome 19,763
7–16
24
December 15
@ Boston
L 103–122
Žan Tabak (18)
Žan Tabak (8)
Alvin Robertson, Damon Stoudamire (7)
FleetCenter 17,580
7–17
25
December 17
Orlando
W 110–93
Damon Stoudamire (21)
Ed Pinckney (11)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
SkyDome 25,820
8–17
26
December 19
Detroit
L 82–94
Damon Stoudamire (19)
Oliver Miller (11)
Damon Stoudamire (8)
SkyDome 21,128
8–18
27
December 22
@ Chicago
L 104–113
Žan Tabak (24)
Damon Stoudamire, Žan Tabak (8)
Damon Stoudamire (13)
United Center 22,987
8–19
28
December 23
@ New York
L 91–103
Damon Stoudamire (25)
Ed Pinckney (10)
Damon Stoudamire (8)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
8-20
29
December 26
Milwaukee
W 93–87
Damon Stoudamire (21)
Ed Pinckney (9)
Damon Stoudamire (11)
Copps Coliseum 17,242
9-20
30
December 28
@ Detroit
L 91–113
Damon Stoudamire (27)
Oliver Miller (7)
Damon Stoudamire (7)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454
9–21 :
January: 3–10 (home: 3–5; road: 0–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
31
January 3
@ Orlando
L 110–121
Alvin Robertson (27)
Oliver Miller (12)
Damon Stoudamire (13)
Orlando Arena 17,248
9-22
32
January 4
@ Atlanta
L 101–104 (OT)
Alvin Robertson (21)
Willie Anderson, Ed Pinckney (7)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
Omni Coliseum 7,194
9-23
33
January 9
Charlotte
L 91–92
Tracy Murray (25)
Tony Massenburg (8)
Alvin Robertson, Damon Stoudamire (8)
SkyDome 20,326
9-24
34
January 11
Atlanta
L 79–87
Damon Stoudamire (18)
Tony Massenburg, Carlos Rogers, Žan Tabak (7)
Damon Stoudamire (9)
SkyDome 19,868
9-25
35
January 13
Washington
W 106–100
Damon Stoudamire (29)
Tony Massenburg (11)
Damon Stoudamire (11)
SkyDome 25,432
10–25
36
January 15
@ New Jersey
L 83–108
Damon Stoudamire (18)
Oliver Miller (9)
Damon Stoudamire (11)
Continental Airlines Arena 10,034
10–26
37
January 16
Indiana
L 102–110
Damon Stoudamire (29)
Tony Massenburg (14)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
SkyDome 19,868
10–27
38
January 18
Chicago
L 89–92
Damon Stoudamire (26)
Tony Massenburg (8)
Damon Stoudamire (12)
SkyDome 36,118
10–28
39
January 21
Boston
W 97–95
Damon Stoudamire (23)
Tony Massenburg (14)
Damon Stoudamire (9)
SkyDome 24,334
11–28
40
January 23
New Jersey
W 86–79
Tracy Murray (16)
Tony Massenburg (8)
Damon Stoudamire (11)
SkyDome 20,915
12–28
41
January 25
Vancouver
L 101–106 (OT)
Damon Stoudamire (22)
Oliver Miller (13)
Damon Stoudamire (12)
SkyDome 21,378
12–29
42
January 27
@ Denver
L 82–93
Damon Stoudamire (23)
Tony Massenburg (11)
Damon Stoudamire (5)
McNichols Sports Arena 16,635
12–30
43
January 30
@ Sacramento
L 75–102
Oliver Miller (18)
Tony Massenburg (5)
Damon Stoudamire (6)
ARCO Arena 17,317
12–31 :
February: 2–10 (home: 0–3; road: 2–7)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
44
February 2
@ Golden State
L 111–114
Damon Stoudamire (25)
Oliver Miller (7)
Damon Stoudamire (11)
Oakland Coliseum 15,025
12–32
45
February 3
@ L.A. Clippers
W 119–113 (OT)
Damon Stoudamire (25)
Oliver Miller (11)
Damon Stoudamire (6)
Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena 5,846
13–32
46
February 5
Portland
L 87–90
Tracy Murray, Damon Stoudamire (16)
Tony Massenburg (10)
Damon Stoudamire (7)
SkyDome 20,832
13–33
47
February 7
Milwaukee
L 88–93
Oliver Miller (21)
Oliver Miller (12)
Damon Stoudamire (6)
SkyDome 21,335
13–34
48
February 13
@ Miami
W 98–87
Damon Stoudamire (29)
Alvin Robertson (12)
Damon Stoudamire (7)
Miami Arena 14,286
14–34
49
February 15
Cleveland
L 76–95
Willie Anderson (17)
Oliver Miller (8)
Damon Stoudamire (7)
Copps Coliseum 17,242
14–35
50
February 17
@ Detroit
L 95–108
Oliver Miller (25)
Tracy Murray (7)
Damon Stoudamire (9)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 21,454
14–36
51
February 22
@ Utah
L 86–102
Damon Stoudamire (23)
Herb Williams (8)
Damon Stoudamire (6)
Delta Center 19,911
14–37
52
February 23
@ Phoenix
L 105–110
Damon Stoudamire (29)
Oliver Miller (8)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
America West Arena 19,023
14–38
53
February 25
@ Dallas
L 98–105
Damon Stoudamire (23)
Žan Tabak (16)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
Reunion Arena 16,618
14–39
54
February 27
@ Houston
L 100–105
Tracy Murray (22)
Žan Tabak (10)
Damon Stoudamire (19)
The Summit 16,200
14–40
55
February 29
@ San Antonio
L 95–120
Oliver Miller, Oliver Miller (13)
Oliver Miller (8)
Damon Stoudamire (5)
Alamodome 18,083
14–41 :
March: 4–12 (home: 3–7; road: 1–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
56
March 3
@ Cleveland
W 100–89
Tracy Murray (29)
Doug Christie, Oliver Miller (5)
Doug Christie (6)
Gund Arena 18,409
15–41
57
March 5
Detroit
L 84–105
Sharone Wright (25)
Oliver Miller (8)
Damon Stoudamire (6)
SkyDome 22,968
15–42
58
March 6
New York
L 82–89
Sharone Wright (18)
Oliver Miller, Sharone Wright (8)
Damon Stoudamire (15)
SkyDome 21,998
15–43
59
March 8
@ Miami
L 79–109
Vincenzo Esposito (12)
Oliver Miller (10)
Damon Stoudamire (5)
Miami Arena 14,319
15–44
60
March 10
Dallas
W 128–112
Damon Stoudamire (25)
Žan Tabak (14)
Damon Stoudamire (9)
SkyDome 21,873
16–44
61
March 12
@ Philadelphia
L 110–118
Tracy Murray (31)
Oliver Miller (11)
Doug Christie, Alvin Robertson (8)
CoreStates Spectrum 8,806
16–45
62
March 15
@ Charlotte
L 101–113
Oliver Miller, Damon Stoudamire, Sharone Wright (20)
Oliver Miller (10)
Damon Stoudamire (11)
Charlotte Coliseum 24,042
16–46
63
March 17
@ Indiana
L 96–105
Damon Stoudamire (23)
Tracy Murray (9)
Damon Stoudamire (12)
Market Square Arena 16,579
16–47
64
March 18
Denver
L 114–122
Tracy Murray (40)
Oliver Miller (9)
Damon Stoudamire (16)
SkyDome 20,324
16–48
65
March 20
Charlotte
W 107–89
Carlos Rogers, Damon Stoudamire (24)
Oliver Miller (15)
Damon Stoudamire (10)
SkyDome 22,033
17–48
66
March 22
San Antonio
L 108–120
Tracy Murray (29)
Oliver Miller (12)
Damon Stoudamire (13)
SkyDome 25,964
17–49
67
March 24
Chicago
W 109–108
Damon Stoudamire (30)
Oliver Miller, Tracy Murray (12)
Damon Stoudamire (11)
SkyDome 36,131
18–49
68
March 26
Atlanta
L 111–114
Tracy Murray, Damon Stoudamire (30)
Oliver Miller, Tracy Murray (9)
Damon Stoudamire (12)
SkyDome 21,473
18–50
69
March 27
@ Philadelphia
L 94–103
Žan Tabak (26)
Žan Tabak (11)
Alvin Robertson (6)
CoreStates Spectrum 7,411
18–51
70
March 29
Orlando
L 86–126
Damon Stoudamire (15)
Carlos Rogers (9)
Damon Stoudamire (5)
SkyDome 35,681
18–52
71
March 31
L.A. Lakers
L 106–111
Tracy Murray (32)
Tracy Murray (10)
Damon Stoudamire (15)
SkyDome 36,046
18–53 :
April: 3–8 (home: 2–3; road: 1–5)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
72
April 2
L.A. Clippers
W 104–103 (OT)
Tracy Murray (30)
Oliver Miller (15)
Damon Stoudamire (12)
SkyDome 21,135
19–53
73
April 4
Cleveland
L 77–98
Dwayne Whitfield (16)
Dwayne Whitfield (12)
Jimmy King (6)
SkyDome 21,173
19–54
74
April 6
New York
L 106–139
Tracy Murray (23)
Tracy Murray (8)
Doug Christie, Oliver Miller (5)
SkyDome 23,168
19–55
75
April 8
@ Minnesota
L 101–115
Doug Christie, Tracy Murray (21)
Oliver Miller, Alvin Robertson (10)
Alvin Robertson (7)
Target Center 13,011
19–56
76
April 9
@ Milwaukee
W 102–96
Alvin Robertson (25)
Alvin Robertson (10)
Doug Christie, Alvin Robertson (6)
Bradley Center 15,935
20–56
77
April 12
@ Boston
L 108–136
Acie Earl (40)
Acie Earl (12)
Jimmy King (6)
FleetCenter 17,930
20–57
78
April 14
@ Washington
L 97–110
Acie Earl (26)
Oliver Miller (17)
Oliver Miller (5)
USAir Arena 18,756
20–58
79
April 15
@ New York
L 79–125
Acie Earl (25)
Acie Earl (11)
Jimmy King (8)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
20–59
80
April 17
@ New Jersey
L 95–107
Acie Earl (28)
Alvin Robertson (13)
Alvin Robertson (8)
Continental Airlines Arena 14,688
20–60
81
April 19
Washington
W 107–103
Doug Christie (30)
Oliver Miller (13)
Oliver Miller (9)
SkyDome 24,454
21–60
82
April 21
Philadelphia
L 105–109 (OT)
Oliver Miller (35)
Oliver Miller (12)
Oliver Miller, Alvin Robertson (9)
SkyDome 27,118
21–61 :
1995–96 season schedule :

## Player statistics
### Ragular season

| Player | POS | GP | GS | MP | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | MPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Tracy Murray | SF | 82 | 37 | 2,458 | 352 | 131 | 87 | 40 | 1,325 | 30.0 | 4.3 | 1.6 | 1.1 | .5 | 16.2 |
| Alvin Robertson | SG | 77 | 69 | 2,478 | 342 | 323 | 166 | 36 | 718 | 32.2 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 2.2 | .5 | 9.3 |
| Oliver Miller | PF | 76 | 72 | 2,516 | 562 | 219 | 108 | 143 | 982 | 33.1 | 7.4 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 12.9 |
| Damon Stoudamire | PG | 70 | 70 | 2,865 | 281 | 653 | 98 | 19 | 1,331 | 40.9 | 4.0 | 9.3 | 1.4 | .3 | 19.0 |
| Žan Tabak | C | 67 | 18 | 1,332 | 320 | 62 | 24 | 31 | 514 | 19.9 | 4.8 | .9 | .4 | .5 | 7.7 |
| Jimmy King | SG | 62 | 1 | 868 | 110 | 88 | 21 | 13 | 279 | 14.0 | 1.8 | 1.4 | .3 | .2 | 4.5 |
| Carlos Rogers | PF | 56 | 18 | 1,043 | 170 | 35 | 25 | 48 | 430 | 18.6 | 3.0 | .6 | .4 | .9 | 7.7 |
| Willie Anderson$^†$ | SG | 49 | 42 | 1,564 | 186 | 149 | 58 | 51 | 606 | 31.9 | 3.8 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 12.4 |
| Ed Pinckney$^†$ | PF | 47 | 24 | 1,031 | 282 | 50 | 31 | 17 | 328 | 21.9 | 6.0 | 1.1 | .7 | .4 | 7.0 |
| Acie Earl | C | 42 | 7 | 655 | 129 | 27 | 18 | 37 | 316 | 15.6 | 3.1 | .6 | .4 | .9 | 7.5 |
| Doug Christie$^†$ | SF | 32 | 17 | 818 | 120 | 92 | 58 | 16 | 322 | 25.6 | 3.8 | 2.9 | 1.8 | .5 | 10.1 |
| Vincenzo Esposito | PG | 30 | 0 | 282 | 16 | 23 | 7 | 0 | 116 | 9.4 | .5 | .8 | .2 | .0 | 3.9 |
| John Salley$^†$ | PF | 25 | 6 | 482 | 97 | 39 | 11 | 12 | 149 | 19.3 | 3.9 | 1.6 | .4 | .5 | 6.0 |
| Tony Massenburg$^†$ | PF | 24 | 20 | 659 | 166 | 18 | 13 | 9 | 243 | 27.5 | 6.9 | .8 | .5 | .4 | 10.1 |
| Martin Lewis | SF | 16 | 0 | 189 | 29 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 75 | 11.8 | 1.8 | .2 | .5 | .2 | 4.7 |
| Sharone Wright$^†$ | C | 11 | 6 | 298 | 57 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 181 | 27.1 | 5.2 | 1.0 | .5 | .9 | 16.5 |
| Dwayne Whitfield | PF | 8 | 1 | 122 | 25 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 40 | 15.3 | 3.1 | .3 | .4 | .3 | 5.0 |
| Dan O'Sullivan | C | 5 | 2 | 139 | 32 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 33 | 27.8 | 6.4 | .4 | .4 | .8 | 6.6 |
| Herb Williams$^†$ | C | 1 | 0 | 31 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 31.0 | 8.0 | .0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 6.0 |
* $^†$ Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Raptors only.

## Franchise firsts

Point: Alvin Robertson

## Award winners

* Damon Stoudamire, First Team, NBA All-Rookie Team
* Damon Stoudamire, NBA Rookie of the Year Award
* Damon Stoudamire, NBA Schick Rookie Game, MVP

## Transactions
### Trades

| September 18, 1995 | To Toronto RaptorsVictor Alexander Martin Lewis Michael McDonald Carlos Rogers Dwayne Whitfield | To Golden State WarriorsB. J. Armstrong |
| February 18, 1996 | To Toronto RaptorsDoug Christie Herb Williams Cash | To New York KnicksVictor Alexander Willie Anderson |
| February 22, 1996 | To Toronto RaptorsSharone Wright | To Philadelphia 76ersTony Massenburg Ed Pinckney 1996 second-round pick 1997 second-round pick |

### Free agents

Additions :
| Player | Date signed | Former team |
| Alvin Robertson | October 5 | Detroit Pistons |
| Thomas Hamilton | October 6 | none |
| Tracy Murray | November 1 | Houston Rockets |
| Dwayne Whitfield | February 23 | Golden State Warriors |
| Dan O'Sullivan (10-day) | April 9 | Shreveport Storm (CBA) |
Subtractions :
| Player | Date signed | New Team |
| Doug Smith | October 4 | Boston Celtics |
| Jerome Kersey | October 4 | Golden State Warriors |
| Thomas Hamilton | October 18 | Boston Celtics |
| Dwayne Whitfield | November 2 | Toronto Raptors |
| John Salley | February 2 | Chicago Bulls |
| Herb Williams | February 23 | New York Knicks |
| Dan O'Sullivan | April 18 | Scavolini Pesaro (Italy) |
Player Transactions Citation: