1994–95 Boston Celtics season

{{short description|NBA basketball team season}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{NBA season

| team = Boston Celtics

| end_year = 1995

| wins = 35

| losses = 47

| division = atlantic

| division_place = 3

| conf_place = 8

| coach = Chris Ford

| gm = M.L. Carr

| arena = Boston Garden
Hartford Civic Center

| television = WSBK-TV
SportsChannel New England

| radio = WBNW

| playoffs = East First Round
(lost to Magic 1–3)

| bbr_team = BOS

}}

The 1994–95 NBA season was the 49th season for the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association.[https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1995.html 1994-95 Boston Celtics] This was the Celtics' first season since the 1979–80 season without long-time center Robert Parish, who left as a free agent to the Charlotte Hornets. It was also the team's final season of play at the Boston Garden, as well as playing occasional home games at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut.{{cite news | last = Cavanaugh | first = Jack | title = BACKTALK; The Last Days of a Garden Where Memories Grew | work = The New York Times | date = April 16, 1995 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/16/sports/backtalk-the-last-days-of-a-garden-where-memories-grew.html | access-date = July 19, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Araton | first = Harvey | title = ON PRO BASKETBALL; A Not-So-Fond Farewell to a Shrine | work = The New York Times | date = April 22, 1995 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/22/sports/on-pro-basketball-a-not-so-fond-farewell-to-a-shrine.html | access-date = January 30, 2023}}{{cite news | title = Boston Garden Fertile Ground for Memories | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = April 22, 1995 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1995/04/22/boston-garden-fertile-ground-for-memories/38b061a4-3ade-4b58-b361-5fd61db80847/ | access-date = January 30, 2023}} After missing the playoffs the previous season, the Celtics had the ninth overall pick in the 1994 NBA draft, and selected Eric Montross from the University of North Carolina.{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Clifton | title = BASKETBALL; The Bucks Go with Robinson as No. 1 Pick | work = The New York Times | date = June 30, 1994 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1994/06/30/sports/basketball-the-bucks-go-with-robinson-as-no-1-pick.html | access-date = July 30, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Denlinger | first = Ken | title = Robinson Goes with the Bucks | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = June 30, 1994 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1994/06/30/robinson-goes-with-the-bucks/3e3bc384-1f59-4554-87a1-43ff800f3454/ | access-date = December 1, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Baker | first = Chris | title = NBA DRAFT: Clippers Select Murray: Pro Basketball: Cal Forward Drafted Amid Rumors of Impending Mark Jackson Trade | work = Los Angeles Times | date = June 30, 1994 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-30-sp-10445-story.html | access-date = June 3, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Howard-Cooper | first = Scott | title = NBA DRAFT: Lakers Recall the Past: Pro Basketball: Temple Guard Jones Reminiscent of Former Great Michael Cooper | work = Los Angeles Times | date = June 30, 1994 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-06-30-sp-10443-story.html | access-date = June 3, 2023}}{{cite web | title = 1994 NBA Draft | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/draft/NBA_1994.html | access-date = December 1, 2022}} Prior to the season, the Celtics signed free agent All-Star forward Dominique Wilkins (a controversial move late in Wilkins' career),{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Dominique Wilkins a Celtic | work = The New York Times | date = July 23, 1994 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/23/sports/dominique-wilkins-a-celtic.html | access-date = July 24, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Baker | first = Chris | title = Clippers Must Pay the Price of Losing Wilkins to Celtics: Basketball: All-Star Forward's Short Tenure in L.A. Ends with a Three-Year, $11-Million Deal from Boston | work = Los Angeles Times | date = July 23, 1994 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-07-23-sp-18982-story.html | access-date = July 24, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Celtics Sign Dominique Wilkins | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = July 23, 1994 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1994/07/23/celtics-sign-dominique-wilkins/a5a61c4b-b8fc-40d9-91d0-0ad7151fa2ff/ | access-date = December 20, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Wilkins Signs with Celtics | work = Tampa Bay Times | date = July 23, 1994 | url = https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1994/07/23/wilkins-signs-with-celtics/ | access-date = June 21, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Arace | first = Michael | title = Instantly, the Celtics Are Credible | work = Hartford Courant | date = July 24, 1994 | url = https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1994-07-24-9407240312-story.html | access-date = June 30, 2022}} signed free agents Pervis Ellison,{{cite news | last = Justice | first = Richard | title = Ex-Bullet Ellison Close to Signing with Celtics | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = July 28, 1994 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1994/07/28/ex-bullet-ellison-close-to-signing-with-celtics/f57319b6-d3db-496e-8804-8db7aa06d10e/ | access-date = January 17, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Arace | first = Michael | title = Celtics Hope Ellison Dressed for Success | work = Hartford Courant | date = October 19, 1994 | url = https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1994-10-19-9410190292-story.html | access-date = November 10, 2022}} second-year guard David Wesley and rookie guard Greg Minor,{{cite news | title = Picking Up the Pace | work = Hartford Courant | date = July 28, 1994 | url = https://www.courant.com/1994/07/28/picking-up-the-pace-3/ | access-date = April 19, 2023}}{{cite news | title = Minor Moves on Court | work = Hartford Courant | date = October 27, 1994 | url = https://www.courant.com/1994/10/27/minor-moves-on-court-2/ | access-date = April 19, 2023}} and acquired Blue Edwards and Derek Strong from the Milwaukee Bucks.{{cite news | title = Bucks Trade Edwards to Celtics | publisher = United Press International | date = June 30, 1994 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1994/06/30/Bucks-trade-Edwards-to-Celtics/2024772948800/ | access-date = June 30, 2022}}{{cite news | title = Eastern Conference | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = November 4, 1994 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1994/11/04/eastern-conference/6a9f6bcb-fb82-4243-8284-36f7dc0be7ea/ | access-date = September 22, 2022}}

The Celtics got off to a 7–6 start in November, but played below .500 for the remainder of the regular season, holding a 19–27 record at the All-Star break.{{cite web | title = NBA Games Played on February 9, 1995 | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/?month=2&day=9&year=1995 | access-date = July 18, 2022}} At mid-season, Edwards was traded back to his former team, the Utah Jazz in exchange for Jay Humphries.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Edwards, Humphries Swapped Again | work = Los Angeles Times | date = February 4, 1995 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-04-sp-28033-story.html | access-date = January 29, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Evans | first = Richard | title = Blue's Back: Jazz Deal Humphries, 2nd-Round Draft Pick to Celtics for High-Flying Edwards | work = Deseret News | date = February 4, 1995 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1995/2/4/19157566/blue-s-back-jazz-deal-humphries-2nd-round-draft-pick-to-celtics-for-high-flying-edwards | access-date = July 31, 2021}}{{cite news | last = Arace | first = Michael | title = Edwards Traded by Celtics | work = Hartford Courant | date = February 4, 1995 | url = https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1995-02-04-9502040309-story.html | access-date = October 5, 2022}} The Celtics won eight of their final twelve games, finishing in third place in the Atlantic Division with a 35–47 record.{{cite web | title = 1994–95 Boston Celtics Schedule and Results | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1995_games.html | access-date = June 23, 2021}}

Wilkins averaged 17.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, while second-year star Dino Radja averaged 17.2 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game, and Dee Brown provided the team with 15.6 points and 1.4 steals per game. In addition, Sherman Douglas contributed 14.7 points and 6.9 assists per game, while Montross averaged 10.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, and was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team. Off the bench, Rick Fox contributed 8.8 points per game, but only played 53 games due to ankle and foot injuries,{{cite news | last = Arace | first = Michael | title = Celtics Give Hawks Opening in Fourth | work = Hartford Courant | date = March 13, 1995 | url = https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1995-03-13-9503130284-story.html | access-date = October 5, 2022}} while Xavier McDaniel provided with 8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Wesley contributed 7.4 points, 5.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game in only 51 games, starting in 36 of them due to a knee injury,{{cite news | last = Arace | first = Michael | title = The Point Is Well-Taken | work = Hartford Courant | date = April 28, 1995 | url = https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1995-04-28-9504280589-story.html | access-date = October 5, 2022}} while Ellison averaged 6.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, and Strong provided with 6.3 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.{{cite web | title = 1994–95 Boston Celtics Roster and Stats | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/1995.html | access-date = June 23, 2021}}

Despite finishing six games under .500 winning percentage, the Celtics qualified for the playoffs as the #8 seed in the Eastern Conference. In the Eastern Conference First Round, the team suffered a 47-point margin in a Game 1 road loss to the #1 seed Orlando Magic, 124–77,{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = 1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Magic Buries a Bad Memory and Celtics | work = The New York Times | date = April 29, 1995 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1995/04/29/sports/1995-nba-playoffs-magic-buries-a-bad-memory-and-celtics.html | access-date = October 8, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Winderman | first = Ira | title = Celtics Are No Match; Magic Rolls to 47-Point Victory | work = Sun Sentinel | date = April 29, 1995 | url = https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1995-04-29-9504290057-story.html | access-date = October 8, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Landman | first = Brian | title = Win 1 Is Magic Mauling | work = Tampa Bay Times | date = April 29, 1995 | url = https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1995/04/29/win-1-is-magic-mauling/ | access-date = February 25, 2023}} but managed to defeat them in Game 2, 99–92 (seizing the "theoretical home court advantage" for the series).{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = PRO BASKETBALL; Celtics Bounce Back and Head Home Even | work = The New York Times | date = May 1, 1995 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/01/sports/pro-basketball-celtics-bounce-back-and-head-home-even.html | access-date = September 18, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = NBA PLAYOFFS: Celtics Dispel Magic, Now Come Ghosts | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 1, 1995 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-05-01-sp-60898-story.html | access-date = October 8, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Celtics Mystify Magic | work = Deseret News | date = May 1, 1995 | url = https://www.deseret.com/1995/5/1/19172778/celtics-mystify-magic | access-date = February 25, 2023}} However, the Magic defeated the Celtics at Boston Garden in both Games 3 and 4 to close out the series.{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = 1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Grant and Magic Wrap Up Garden's Parquet | work = The New York Times | date = May 6, 1995 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/06/sports/1995-nba-playoffs-grant-and-magic-wrap-up-garden-s-parquet.html | access-date = September 18, 2022}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Magic Finishes Off Celtics and the Garden: NBA Playoffs: Orlando Holds on for 95-92 Victory, Setting Up East Semifinal Against Chicago | work = Los Angeles Times | date = May 6, 1995 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-05-06-sp-63074-story.html | access-date = June 6, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Povtak | first = Tim | title = Hardaway Learns Keys to Playoffs | work = Orlando Sentinel | date = May 6, 1995 | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1995-05-06-9505060241-story.html | access-date = November 25, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 1995 NBA Eastern Conference First Round: Celtics vs. Magic | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1995-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-celtics-vs-magic.html | access-date = February 5, 2023}} The Magic would go on to reach the NBA Finals for the first time, but would lose in four straight games to the 6th-seeded, and defending champion Houston Rockets.{{cite news | last = Brown | first = Clifton | title = 1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Rockets Sweep to 2d Straight Championship | work = The New York Times | date = June 15, 1995 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/15/sports/1995-nba-playoffs-rockets-sweep-to-2d-straight-championship.html | access-date = June 26, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Howard-Cooper | first = Scott | title = NBA FINALS: Two-Ring Circus Hits Houston: Pro Basketball: Olajuwon (who else?) Is MVP Again After Leading Rockets to Sweep of Magic | work = Los Angeles Times | date = June 15, 1995 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-06-15-sp-13326-story.html | access-date = June 26, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Justice | first = Richard | title = Rockets' Sweep Finishes Magic Season | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = June 15, 1995 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1995/06/15/rockets-sweep-finishes-magic-season/049231cb-412a-4c22-a7dc-b0df04ca7ad9/ | access-date = July 24, 2022}}{{cite news | last = Guest | first = Larry | title = Magic Are the Main Entree at This Friendly Texas Barbecue | work = Orlando Sentinel | date = June 15, 1995 | url = https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1995-06-15-9506150116-story.html | access-date = December 13, 2022}}{{cite web | title = 1995 NBA Finals: Rockets vs. Magic | publisher = Basketball-Reference | url = https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1995-nba-finals-rockets-vs-magic.html | access-date = February 5, 2023}}

Following the season, Wilkins and McDaniel both left to play overseas in Greece,{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Wilkins Leaves Celtics to Sign for Greek Club | work = Los Angeles Times | date = August 13, 1995 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-08-13-sp-34836-story.html | access-date = June 21, 2023}}{{cite news | title = McDaniel to Leave NBA, Play in Greece | publisher = United Press International | date = September 7, 1995 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/09/07/McDaniel-to-leave-NBA-play-in-Greece/4320810446400/ | access-date = July 24, 2022}}{{cite news | title = SPORTS PEOPLE: BASKETBALL; Celtics to Wilkins: Goodbye, Good Luck | work = The New York Times | date = September 8, 1995 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/08/sports/sports-people-basketball-celtics-to-wilkins-goodbye-good-luck.html | access-date = July 20, 2017}}{{cite news | title = Chambers Is Israel-Bound | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = October 18, 1995 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1995/10/18/chambers-is-israel-bound/a0afd5fa-0983-4e91-93c3-df78cbe83d9c/ | access-date = April 7, 2023}} while Strong signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers,{{cite news | last = Howard-Cooper | first = Scott | title = THE NBA: 1995-96: Greater Expectations: Lakers May Have Accomplished a Lot, But Now They're Really Thinking Big | work = Los Angeles Times | date = November 3, 1995 | url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-11-03-sp-64474-story.html | access-date = November 10, 2022}} Humphries was released to free agency, and head coach Chris Ford was fired; General Manager M.L. Carr explained the firing as having to do with "diminishing returns".{{cite news | title = Celtics Fire Chris Ford | publisher = United Press International | date = May 17, 1995 | url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1995/05/17/Celtics-fire-Chris-Ford/3637800683200/ | access-date = January 1, 2023}}{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = 1995 N.B.A. PLAYOFFS; Celtics Drop Ford as Coach | work = The New York Times | date = May 18, 1995 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/18/sports/1995-nba-playoffs-celtics-drop-ford-as-coach.html | access-date = June 22, 2023}}{{cite news | last = Arace | first = Michael | title = Ford Reaches Point of No Return with Celtics | work = Hartford Courant | date = May 18, 1995 | url = https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-1995-05-18-9505180302-story.html | access-date = January 21, 2022}}