The 1996-97 Boston Celtics season was one of rebuilding and transition. Under head coach M.L. Carr, the Celtics endured a challenging year, finishing with a 15-67 record, placing them last in the Atlantic Division and the entire NBA. This marked their second-worst season in franchise history, only surpassed by the 1978-79 season’s 29-53 record.
The season was notable for the franchise’s strategic pivot towards youth and future potential, a move underscored by the presence of rookie Antoine Walker. The eighth overall pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, Walker emerged as a bright spot for the struggling team, averaging 17.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
The Celtics’ roster also featured veteran players like Rick Fox and David Wesley, contributing to the team amid its struggles. However, the mix of young talent and experienced players was not enough to produce a competitive season. The Celtics’ poor performance led to them securing a high draft pick, which would eventually allow them to draft Chauncey Billups in 1997.
Off the court, the season was significant as it marked the final year of M.L. Carr’s tenure as head coach, with Rick Pitino set to take over the following season. The 1996-97 season, albeit disappointing, laid the groundwork for future rebuilding efforts in the storied franchise’s quest to return to championship contention.
- Regular Season Record: 15-67
- Playoff Result: Did not make playoffs
Boston Celtics Roster and Stats for 1996-97 Season
| Regular Season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% | GP | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | 3P% |
| Antoine Walker | 82 | 17.5 | 9.0 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 32.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| David Wesley | 74 | 16.8 | 3.6 | 7.3 | 2.2 | 0.2 | 36.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Rick Fox | 76 | 15.4 | 5.2 | 3.8 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 36.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Eric Williams | 72 | 15.0 | 4.6 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Todd Day | 81 | 14.5 | 4.1 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 36.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Dino Radja | 25 | 14.0 | 8.4 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 1.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Dana Barros | 24 | 12.5 | 2.0 | 3.4 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 41.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Greg Minor | 23 | 9.6 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 12.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Marty Conlon | 74 | 7.8 | 4.4 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Dee Brown | 21 | 7.6 | 2.3 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 0.3 | 30.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Frank Brickowski | 17 | 4.8 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 35.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Michael Hawkins | 29 | 2.8 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 32.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Pervis Ellison | 6 | 2.5 | 4.3 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Stacey King | 5 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Nate Driggers | 15 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Brett Szabo | 70 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Steve Hamer | 35 | 2.2 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Alton Lister | 53 | 1.6 | 3.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
Boston Celtics 1996-97 Regular Season Game Log
Here is the game log for the 1996-97 season for the Boston Celtics.
| Date | Opponent | Result | High Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 01, 1996 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 107-98 | |
| Nov 02, 1996 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 124-102 | |
| Nov 06, 1996 | vs. Indiana Pacers | W 94-84 | |
| Nov 08, 1996 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 115-105 | |
| Nov 09, 1996 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 104-92 | |
| Nov 13, 1996 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | W 103-85 | |
| Nov 15, 1996 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L 82-80 | |
| Nov 16, 1996 | @ Washington Bullets | L 106-92 | |
| Nov 20, 1996 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 108-83 | |
| Nov 22, 1996 | vs. Seattle SuperSonics | L 118-91 | |
| Nov 24, 1996 | vs. Dallas Mavericks | W 105-91 | |
| Nov 27, 1996 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W 110-94 | |
| Nov 29, 1996 | vs. Houston Rockets | L 120-94 | |
| Nov 30, 1996 | @ Miami Heat | L 78-77 | |
| Dec 03, 1996 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 105-95 | |
| Dec 04, 1996 | @ Houston Rockets | L 94-89 | |
| Dec 06, 1996 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 110-108 | |
| Dec 08, 1996 | @ Milwaukee Bucks | L 100-87 | |
| Dec 11, 1996 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W 115-113 | |
| Dec 13, 1996 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 97-94 | |
| Dec 15, 1996 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 99-89 | |
| Dec 16, 1996 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | L 107-91 | |
| Dec 21, 1996 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 101-100 | |
| Dec 22, 1996 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L 102-98 | |
| Dec 27, 1996 | @ Los Angeles Lakers | L 109-102 | |
| Dec 28, 1996 | @ Sacramento Kings | L 126-96 | |
| Dec 30, 1996 | @ Denver Nuggets | W 104-102 | |
| Jan 02, 1997 | @ Detroit Pistons | L 99-87 | |
| Jan 03, 1997 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | L 94-84 | |
| Jan 05, 1997 | vs. Phoenix Suns | W 109-102 | |
| Jan 08, 1997 | vs. San Antonio Spurs | W 107-83 | |
| Jan 10, 1997 | vs. New York Knicks | L 111-98 | |
| Jan 11, 1997 | @ New York Knicks | L 112-99 | |
| Jan 14, 1997 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W 116-108 | |
| Jan 16, 1997 | vs. Miami Heat | L 102-94 | |
| Jan 18, 1997 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 112-106 | |
| Jan 22, 1997 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L 127-125 | |
| Jan 24, 1997 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 121-117 | |
| Jan 25, 1997 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L 95-90 | |
| Jan 28, 1997 | @ New York Knicks | L 109-107 | |
| Jan 29, 1997 | @ Miami Heat | L 103-83 | |
| Jan 31, 1997 | vs. Portland Trail Blazers | W 111-105 | |
| Feb 02, 1997 | vs. Vancouver Grizzlies | L 102-92 | |
| Feb 03, 1997 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 114-102 | |
| Feb 05, 1997 | vs. Miami Heat | L 118-117 | |
| Feb 06, 1997 | @ Orlando Magic | L 119-111 | |
| Feb 11, 1997 | @ Los Angeles Clippers | L 116-112 | |
| Feb 12, 1997 | @ Phoenix Suns | L 131-100 | |
| Feb 14, 1997 | @ Vancouver Grizzlies | L 109-106 | |
| Feb 16, 1997 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L 118-106 | |
| Feb 17, 1997 | @ Seattle SuperSonics | L 113-108 | |
| Feb 19, 1997 | @ Golden State Warriors | L 112-101 | |
| Feb 20, 1997 | @ Utah Jazz | L 122-105 | |
| Feb 23, 1997 | @ New Jersey Nets | L 109-93 | |
| Feb 26, 1997 | vs. Sacramento Kings | L 111-105 | |
| Feb 28, 1997 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L 106-100 | |
| Mar 01, 1997 | @ Cleveland Cavaliers | L 99-81 | |
| Mar 03, 1997 | @ Toronto Raptors | W 107-103 | |
| Mar 04, 1997 | @ Indiana Pacers | L 98-95 | |
| Mar 06, 1997 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 122-121 | |
| Mar 07, 1997 | vs. New York Knicks | L 113-102 | |
| Mar 09, 1997 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L 114-90 | |
| Mar 11, 1997 | vs. Chicago Bulls | L 117-106 | |
| Mar 13, 1997 | @ Dallas Mavericks | L 109-107 | |
| Mar 14, 1997 | @ San Antonio Spurs | L 103-92 | |
| Mar 16, 1997 | @ Minnesota Timberwolves | L 119-101 | |
| Mar 17, 1997 | vs. Milwaukee Bucks | W 126-117 | |
| Mar 19, 1997 | vs. Utah Jazz | L 113-100 | |
| Mar 21, 1997 | vs. Orlando Magic | L 104-99 | |
| Mar 23, 1997 | vs. New Jersey Nets | L 100-91 | |
| Mar 26, 1997 | @ Washington Bullets | L 105-92 | |
| Mar 28, 1997 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | L 113-105 | |
| Apr 01, 1997 | @ Chicago Bulls | L 111-106 | |
| Apr 02, 1997 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | L 96-87 | |
| Apr 04, 1997 | vs. Los Angeles Clippers | L 117-102 | |
| Apr 06, 1997 | vs. Washington Bullets | L 120-114 | |
| Apr 09, 1997 | @ Charlotte Hornets | L 136-111 | |
| Apr 11, 1997 | vs. Cleveland Cavaliers | W 103-101 | |
| Apr 12, 1997 | @ Orlando Magic | L 121-98 | |
| Apr 16, 1997 | vs. Charlotte Hornets | L 108-102 | |
| Apr 18, 1997 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W 119-113 | |
| Apr 20, 1997 | vs. Toronto Raptors | L 125-94 |