The 1995-96 Houston Rockets entered the season as two-time defending champions and showcased their championship pedigree by winning ten of their first eleven games. Despite navigating significant injuries throughout the roster, the team finished with a strong 48-34 record and secured the fifth seed in the Western Conference. Hakeem Olajuwon delivered another legendary individual campaign, earning All-NBA Second Team and All-Defensive Second Team honors, while the team demonstrated their resilience by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. A two-time NBA champion and 1994 league MVP, Hakeem Olajuwon was a legendary Hall of Fame center for the Houston Rockets who retired as the NBA's all-time leader in blocked shots.