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Magic Johnson

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Magic Johnson
Born
Earvin Johnson Jr.

(1959-08-14) August 14, 1959 (age 67)
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Occupation(s)Former professional basketball player, entrepreneur, philanthropist, broadcaster, motivational speaker
Years active1979–1996 (basketball)
Known forNBA player for Los Angeles Lakers, 5× NBA champion, 3× NBA MVP, HIV/AIDS awareness

Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. (born August 14, 1959) is a former professional basketball athlete and American entrepreneur, widely considered the greatest point guard and passer in NBA history. Johnson devoted his entire NBA tenure to the Los Angeles Lakers, guiding them to five NBA championships during the celebrated "Showtime" period after being chosen first overall in the 1979 NBA draft. Prior to entering the NBA, he secured a national title with the Michigan State Spartans in 1979.

In 1991, Johnson unexpectedly retired following his public announcement of an HIV diagnosis but made a notable comeback for the 1992 NBA All-Star Game, where he earned MVP honors. He briefly rejoined the Lakers in 1996 before retiring permanently. Renowned for his outstanding court vision, passing skills, and leadership qualities, Johnson received three NBA Most Valuable Player Awards, three NBA Finals MVP awards, nine All-NBA First Team distinctions, and twelve All-Star selections. He led the league in assists on four occasions and holds NBA records for career playoff assists and playoff triple-doubles. As co-captain of the gold medal-winning 1992 U.S. Olympic "Dream Team," he completed basketball’s Triple Crown.

Following his NBA career, Johnson established the Magic Johnson All-Stars exhibition team and emerged as a successful businessman, philanthropist, broadcaster, and motivational speaker. He formerly served as part-owner and president of basketball operations for the Lakers. Johnson is a founding partner of Guggenheim Baseball Management, which owns the Los Angeles Dodgers, and maintains ownership stakes in the Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA), Los Angeles FC (MLS), Washington Commanders (NFL), and Washington Spirit (NWSL). Throughout his career as both player and owner, he has amassed 15 championships.

Johnson has been inducted twice into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, recognized among the NBA's 50 Greatest Players and its 75th Anniversary Team. His well-documented rivalry with Larry Bird remains iconic. Since retiring, he has actively promoted HIV/AIDS awareness and safe sex education. In 2025, Johnson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. As of May 2025, Forbes estimates his net worth at approximately US$1.5 billion.

Early life

Earvin Johnson Jr. was born in Lansing, Michigan, to Earvin Sr., a General Motors assembly line worker, and Christine, who worked as a school janitor. He is one of seven children from his parents’ union and has three half-siblings from his father’s earlier marriage. Their strong work ethic deeply influenced him; while his mother labored late into the evening cleaning and preparing meals, his father juggled multiple jobs—including janitorial duties and garbage collection—never missing a single day at General Motors. Johnson often assisted with garbage collection routes, earning him the nickname "Garbage Man." His upbringing was rooted in the teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

From an early age, Johnson developed a love for basketball, looking up to players such as Bill Russell, whom he admired more for championship success than athletic prowess, along with idols like Earl Monroe and Marques Haynes. Coming from an athletic lineage—his father played high school basketball in Mississippi and imparted basketball knowledge to him while his mother had also played during her youth—Johnson dedicated significant time to practicing.

By eighth grade, he had become a dominant force in junior high basketball, once scoring 48 points in a single game. Although he initially planned to attend Sexton High School—a school noted for its strong basketball program close to home—desegregation policies led to him being bused to Everett High School, which had a predominantly black student body. His siblings had previously encountered racial hostility there, including exclusionary behavior and antagonism. Johnson initially faced challenges gaining acceptance on Everett’s basketball team but eventually emerged as a leader among black students.

In his autobiography My Life, Johnson reflected that being bused to Everett expanded his outlook and taught him crucial skills in communication and cross-racial understanding.

High school career

At just 15 years old, Johnson acquired the nickname "Magic" following an extraordinary sophomore performance at Everett, where he achieved a triple-double with 36 points, 18 rebounds, and 16 assists. The name was coined by sports journalist Fred Stabley Jr., despite initial reservations from Johnson's mother regarding its suitability. In his senior year, Johnson propelled Everett to an impressive 27–1 record, averaging 28.8 points alongside 16.8 rebounds per contest, and clinched the state championship in overtime. He dedicated this triumph to his closest friend, Reggie Chastine, who had passed away in a car accident the previous summer and whom Johnson credited for shaping both his athletic skills and personal growth. Concluding his high school tenure, Johnson earned two All-State honors and was widely regarded as Michigan’s premier high school basketball talent at the time. Additionally, he was selected for the inaugural McDonald's All-American team and took part in the 1977 Capital Classic.

College career

Despite recruitment interest from elite programs such as Indiana and UCLA, Johnson opted to remain close to home. His final choice came down to Michigan and Michigan State, ultimately committing to Michigan State after coach Jud Heathcote assured him the starting point guard role and highlighted the strength of the team's roster.[1]

Initially pursuing a major in communication studies with aspirations toward broadcasting, Johnson played alongside future NBA talents including Greg Kelser. As a freshman, he averaged 17.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game while guiding the Spartans to a 25–5 record, securing the Big Ten Conference championship and advancing to the NCAA tournament. The team reached the Elite Eight but narrowly fell to eventual champions Kentucky.[2]

During the 1978–79 season, Michigan State returned to the NCAA tournament and progressed all the way to the championship matchup against Larry Bird's Indiana State. This contest became the most widely viewed college basketball game in history,[3] with Michigan State prevailing 75–64. Johnson earned the title of Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.[4] He was also honored with a place on the All-American team that season.[5] After completing two collegiate years averaging 17.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game, Johnson declared for the 1979 NBA draft.[6]

Following coach Jud Heathcote’s retirement after the 1994–95 season, Johnson returned on June 8, 1995, to participate in the Jud Heathcote All-Star Tribute Game held at the Breslin Center, where he led all scorers by putting up 39 points.[7]

NBA rookie year (1979–1980)

Selected as the top overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers, Johnson entered a roster featuring 7 ft 2 in center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the league's leading scorer who had yet to secure a championship with the franchise. Johnson was anticipated to play a pivotal role in achieving that objective. Opting for jersey No. 32 to complement Abdul-Jabbar’s No. 33, coach Jack McKinney assigned Johnson to the point guard position, despite some experts advocating for a forward role. Throughout his rookie campaign, he posted averages of 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game, earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Team, and was selected as a starter for the NBA All-Star Game.

The Lakers concluded the regular season with a 60–22 record and advanced to the 1980 NBA Finals to face the Philadelphia 76ers, led by forward Julius Erving. Holding a 3–2 series lead, the Lakers were dealt a blow when Abdul-Jabbar sustained an ankle sprain in Game 5 and was sidelined for Game 6. Following coach McKinney’s replacement by Paul Westhead due to a bicycle accident, Johnson was positioned at center for Game 6. In that contest, he delivered an outstanding performance with 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists across multiple roles, propelling the team to a 123–107 win. This effort made him the only rookie ever to receive the NBA Finals MVP award, with his clutch contributions regarded as among the finest in league history. Additionally, Johnson became one of just four players to capture NCAA and NBA titles in back-to-back years.

Challenges and progress (1980–1983)

During the early stages of the 1980–81 season, Johnson endured a torn cartilage injury in his left knee, which sidelined him for 45 games. He later described this rehabilitation period as his lowest emotional point. Returning ahead of the 1981 playoffs, his comeback reportedly caused tension within the squad. The Lakers finished with a strong 54-win regular season but were upset in the opening round by the Houston Rockets, who had a sub-.500 record of 40–42; Johnson missed a potential game-winning shot at the buzzer in Game 3.

In 1981, Johnson inked a groundbreaking contract with Los Angeles—a 25-year deal worth $25 million—the most lucrative sports contract at that time. Early in the following season (1981–82), he publicly criticized coach Westhead’s system as “slow” and “predictable” and requested a trade. Subsequently, owner Jerry Buss dismissed Westhead and appointed Pat Riley as head coach. Despite facing league-wide booing amid controversy, Johnson posted averages of 18.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game while leading the NBA with 2.7 steals per contest; these efforts earned him All-NBA Second Team recognition. He joined Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson as one of only three players to surpass totals of 700 points, rebounds, and assists in a single season.

The Lakers progressed through the 1982 playoffs and defeated Philadelphia in six games to claim the championship. Johnson secured his second Finals MVP award following a triple-double performance in Game 6. Over the Finals series, he averaged 16.2 points on .533 shooting, along with 10.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. He credited Riley’s leadership for elevating the team’s performance that season.

In what marked his first of nine straight seasons averaging double-doubles (1982–83), Johnson posted statistics of 16.8 points, 10.5 assists, and 8.6 rebounds per game while earning his inaugural All-NBA First Team selection. The Lakers returned to the Finals but were swept by Philadelphia’s Sixers squad led by Moses Malone and Julius Erving. Hampered by injuries to key contributors Nixon, Worthy, and McAdoo, Los Angeles fell short as Malone claimed Finals MVP honors. Johnson averaged 19.0 points on .403 shooting alongside 12.5 assists and 7.8 rebounds throughout that series.

Rivalry with the Celtics (1983–1987)

Ahead of Magic Johnson's fifth season, General Manager Jerry West traded Michael Cooper to allow Johnson to fully assume primary ball-handling responsibilities. That season, Johnson posted impressive averages of 17.6 points, 13.1 assists, and 7.3 rebounds per game. The Lakers advanced to the 1984 NBA Finals for the third year running, meeting Larry Bird's Boston Celtics in their inaugural postseason clash. Los Angeles secured a victory in Game 1 but narrowly lost Game 2 in overtime after Johnson was unable to attempt a final shot. In Game 3, Johnson contributed 21 assists in a win; however, critical mistakes in Game 4—including a pivotal turnover and missed free throws—resulted in an overtime defeat. The teams split Games 5 and 6, but in the decisive Game 7, Dennis Johnson's steal from Magic ensured a Celtics triumph. Over the Finals, Johnson averaged 18 points, 13.6 assists, and 7.7 rebounds, later reflecting that this was "the one championship we should have had but didn't get."

During the 1984–85 NBA season, Johnson elevated his performance with averages of 18.3 points, 12.6 assists, and 6.2 rebounds, steering the Lakers back to a Finals rematch against Boston. Despite suffering a heavy loss in the opening game, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's dominant play helped the Lakers gain control of the series. Los Angeles ultimately captured the championship in six games; Johnson posted Finals averages of 18.3 points on .494 shooting, alongside 14 assists and 6.8 rebounds, describing this title as a career pinnacle.

In the 1985–86 NBA season, Johnson maintained his double-double production with 18.8 points and 12.6 assists per contest. The Lakers reached the Western Conference Finals but were eliminated by the Houston Rockets in five games. The subsequent season saw Johnson achieve personal bests of 23.9 points, 12.2 assists, and 6.3 rebounds per game, earning him his first regular season Most Valuable Player award.

The rivalry reignited in the 1987 NBA Finals, where Johnson delivered a memorable game-winning hook shot over Robert Parish and Kevin McHale with seconds remaining in Game 4 to secure a 107–106 victory—a move he dubbed his "junior, junior, junior sky-hook." Los Angeles triumphed in six games; Johnson earned his third Finals MVP honors by averaging 26.2 points on .541 shooting along with 13 assists, eight rebounds, and over two steals per game.

Sustaining success and setbacks (1987–1991)

Prior to the 1987–88 NBA season, coach Pat Riley vowed to defend the Lakers' championship title despite no team having repeated as NBA champions since the Celtics accomplished it in 1969. Johnson averaged solid numbers—19.6 points, 11.9 assists, and 6.2 rebounds—even while missing ten games due to injury. In the playoffs, Los Angeles swept the San Antonio Spurs before prevailing through challenging seven-game series against both the Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks, ultimately reaching the Finals against Detroit’s "Bad Boys," renowned for their physical style of play. After splitting six games, Lakers forward and Finals MVP James Worthy recorded a triple-double to clinch a narrow 108–105 victory in Game 7. Johnson averaged an efficient 21.1 points on .550 shooting with 13 assists and 5.7 rebounds throughout the series—securing his fifth and final NBA championship.

In the 1988–89 NBA season, Johnson posted averages of 22.5 points, 12.8 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game, which earned him his second MVP award during his career. The Lakers returned to the 1989 NBA Finals, once again facing Detroit; however, they were swept after Johnson sustained a hamstring injury in Game 2.

Following Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s retirement, Johnson claimed his third MVP accolade during the 1989–90 NBA season, averaging 22.3 points, 11.5 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per contest. Despite this individual success, Los Angeles was ousted in the Western Conference semifinals by the Phoenix Suns—their earliest playoff departure in nearly a decade.

With Mike Dunleavy Sr.’s arrival as head coach for the 1990–91 campaign, there was a strategic shift toward half-court offense coupled with an increased defensive focus. That season saw Johnson average 19.4 points, alongside 12.5 assists and seven rebounds as the Lakers advanced to face Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in the 1991 NBA Finals. Despite two triple-doubles from Johnson during the series, Bulls forward Scottie Pippen effectively contained him while Jordan spearheaded Chicago’s decisive four-games-to-one series victory. In his final Finals appearance, Johnson averaged 18.6 points on .431 shooting with 12.4 assists and eight rebounds per game.

HIV disclosure and Olympic involvement (1991–1992)

In October 1991, Johnson competed with the Lakers at the McDonald's Open held in Paris, where he earned the tournament's MVP award while helping the team claim the gold medal. However, a physical examination conducted prior to the 1991–92 NBA season revealed that he had tested positive for HIV. On November 7, 1991, Johnson publicly declared his immediate retirement, reassuring that neither his wife nor his unborn child had contracted the virus, and committed himself to fighting the disease.

At first uncertain about how he contracted HIV, Johnson later acknowledged that it was through multiple sexual partners during his career. He openly discussed his situation to highlight that heterosexual individuals are also vulnerable to infection. Amidst rumors questioning his sexual orientation—which he consistently denied—Johnson accused Isiah Thomas of propagating such falsehoods, a claim Thomas refuted.

Johnson’s revelation became a significant news event across the United States and was ranked by ESPN in 2004 as the seventh most unforgettable moment in its 25-year history. Then-President George H. W. Bush praised him as "a hero for anyone who loves sports." Although retired, Johnson was voted as a starter in the 1992 NBA All-Star Game at Orlando Arena. While some teammates voiced concerns about potential health risks, Johnson led the Western Conference to a commanding 153–113 victory and received the All-Star MVP award after contributing 25 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds.

He was also chosen for the Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics, joining the U.S. "Dream Team" alongside NBA legends such as Bird, Michael Jordan, and Charles Barkley. The squad was widely regarded as unbeatable and secured gold with an undefeated 8–0 record, outscoring opponents by an average margin of 43.8 points per game. Despite limited minutes due to knee problems, Johnson averaged 8.0 points and 5.5 assists per game. His Olympic participation significantly boosted his ability to inspire individuals living with HIV worldwide.

Post-Olympics career and subsequent years

Prior to the start of the 1992–93 NBA season, Johnson intended to return to professional basketball but ultimately retired again before regular-season play commenced, citing controversy and resistance from active players as key factors. In a 2011 interview, he expressed remorse about retiring following his HIV diagnosis, stating, "If I knew what I know now, I wouldn't have retired." Although he engaged in competitive practices ahead of the 1992 Olympics, opposition from some teammates regarding his NBA comeback influenced his decision to retire once more in order to avoid "hurting the game."

During his retirement period, Johnson authored a book promoting safe sex, launched several business ventures, worked as an NBC commentator, and toured internationally alongside former college and NBA athletes. In 1985, he founded "A Midsummer Night's Magic," an annual charity event featuring a celebrity basketball game and a formal dinner benefiting the United Negro College Fund. This event continued for two decades until 2005 and was incorporated into the Magic Johnson Foundation, established in 1991. The 1992 gala, held after his Olympic appearance, raised more than $1.3 million for UNCF; Johnson joined forces with Shaquille O'Neal and coach Spike Lee to lead the blue team to a 147–132 victory over the white team coached by Arsenio Hall.

Coaching and Playing Return to the Lakers (1994, 1996)

Near the conclusion of the 1993–94 NBA season, Johnson re-entered the NBA as the head coach of the Lakers, stepping in for Randy Pfund and interim coach Bill Bertka. Motivated by owner Jerry Buss, he accepted the coaching position while downplaying any intentions of resuming his playing career, reaffirming his retirement status. Taking over a team with a 28–38 record, Johnson secured a victory in his first game as coach against the Milwaukee Bucks. His squad featured five former teammates along with assistant coach Michael Cooper. Although Johnson held a guaranteed player contract worth $14.6 million for the 1994–95 season, he chose to coach without compensation. The Lakers began well under his leadership but ended with a ten-game losing streak, culminating in a 5–11 coaching record. Opting not to continue coaching long term, Johnson acquired a 5% ownership share in June 1994.

At age 36, Johnson made a playing return during the 1995–96 NBA season, having intensified his training regimen to effectively manage his HIV diagnosis. He rejoined on January 29, 1996, immediately impacting the court with 19 points, eight rebounds, and ten assists coming off the bench. Over 32 games, he averaged 14.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds and tied for 12th place in MVP voting. The Lakers posted a 22–10 record in games featuring Johnson, marking his comeback as notably successful.

Nevertheless, difficulties emerged: teammate Cedric Ceballos briefly quit due to decreased playing time and was suspended; Johnson lost his captaincy as a result. Nick Van Exel received a seven-game suspension following an altercation with an official; Johnson publicly reprimanded him but was later suspended for three games himself after making contact with another referee. Despite injuries and suspensions impacting the roster, the Lakers finished with a 53–29 record and earned the fourth seed in the 1996 NBA Playoffs. Matched against defending champions Houston Rockets, they maintained home-court advantage but were eliminated three games to one. Johnson led Game 2 with 26 points but averaged only 7.5 points in subsequent contests.

After this playoff defeat, Johnson initially contemplated returning for the 1996–97 NBA season or joining another team to secure more minutes at point guard but ultimately decided to retire permanently, emphasizing that he was departing on his own terms—contrasting with his sudden retirement in 1992.

Magic Johnson All-Stars

Following his NBA departure, Johnson established the Magic Johnson All-Stars, a touring team composed of former NBA and collegiate players. In 1994, this group—including former professionals like Mark Aguirre, Reggie Theus, John Long, Earl Cureton, Jim Farmer, and Lester Conner—traveled through Australia, Israel, South America, Europe, New Zealand, and Japan. Additionally, they competed in five games against Continental Basketball Association (CBA) teams within the United States. In their final CBA matchup, Johnson delivered a triple-double performance with 30 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists leading to a 126–121 victory over the Oklahoma City Cavalry. By the time of Johnson’s Lakers return in 1996, the All-Stars had compiled an undefeated record of 55–0, with Johnson earning as much as $365,000 per game.

Johnson remained active with this team for several years afterward. A memorable event occurred in November 2001 when he faced off against his alma mater Michigan State University in Lansing—his first competitive appearance there in over two decades. Despite recording a triple-double and playing every minute before a sold-out arena, his squad fell short by two points; Johnson’s last-second half-court attempt narrowly missed. On November 1, 2002, he participated in another exhibition against Michigan State while playing for Australia's Canberra Cannons of the National Basketball League. His team secured a 104–85 win as he posted another triple-double with 12 points, ten assists, and ten rebounds.

Short tenure in Scandinavia

In 1999, Johnson became part of the Swedish squad M7 Borås (currently known as 'Borås Basket'), where he maintained an undefeated record across five contests. During this time, he also took on a co-ownership role within the organization. Despite these efforts, the initiative collapsed after just one season, leading to a period of club reorganization. Subsequently, Johnson signed with the Danish franchise The Great Danes.

Competition with Larry Bird

The rivalry between Johnson and Larry Bird began when Johnson’s Michigan State Spartans triumphed over Bird’s Indiana State Sycamores in the 1979 NCAA championship game. Their competitive tension escalated throughout their NBA careers, peaking as the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers clashed in three out of four NBA Finals from 1984 to 1987, with the Lakers securing two titles in those matchups. Johnson regarded most regular-season games as routine affairs aside from Lakers–Celtics encounters, while Bird confessed to monitoring Johnson’s statistics on a daily basis.

Observers highlighted their rivalry as emblematic of larger contrasts: the Lakers’ Hollywood-style "Showtime" versus Boston and Indiana’s blue-collar ethos ("Celtic Pride"), alongside racial and cultural dynamics between black and white athletes. This competition played a pivotal role in revitalizing the NBA during a period marked by waning fan interest and poor television ratings. Together, they drew a diverse new fan base that combined traditional supporters of Bird’s fundamental approach with admirers of Johnson’s flamboyant style. ESPN’s Larry Schwartz credited their rivalry with rescuing the league from financial peril.

Off the hardwood, Johnson and Bird developed a close friendship, notably during a 1984 Converse commercial that depicted them as rivals. Johnson attended Bird’s retirement ceremony in 1992, describing him as a "friend forever," and Bird later inducted Johnson into the Hall of Fame. In 2009, they co-wrote When the Game Was Ours, exploring both their rivalry and camaraderie. HBO released the documentary Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals in 2010, directed by Ezra Edelman.

Enduring impact

Across 905 NBA appearances, Johnson amassed totals of 17,707 points, 6,559 rebounds, and 10,141 assists, averaging 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and an unparalleled 11.2 assists per game—the highest assists average in league history. He shares the playoff single-game assist record (24), holds the Finals record for assists in one game (21), and leads all players in total playoff assists (2,346). Johnson uniquely averaged 12 assists per game in six separate NBA Finals series. Additionally, he holds All-Star Game records for most assists both in a single contest (22) and cumulatively (127). Among just eight athletes to have secured an NCAA championship, NBA title, and Olympic gold medal—the so-called Triple Crown—Johnson’s career is distinguished by extraordinary adaptability.

Johnson was instrumental in popularizing the rapid "Showtime" basketball approach characterized by no-look passes, alley-oops, and inventive playmaking that revolutionized the Lakers’ offensive strategy. Fellow guard Michael Cooper praised Johnson’s unpredictable yet highly effective passing style that consistently generated scoring chances. Standing at 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m), Johnson excelled at point guard—a role typically played by smaller athletes—and ranks fourth all-time with 138 triple-doubles. He remains the sole player to record triple-doubles in multiple NBA Finals-clinching games.

Honored among the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, Johnson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002. ESPN placed him at No. 17 on its list of "50 Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century" and declared him the greatest point guard ever in 2006. Bleacher Report ranked him first among all-time NBA point guards. In 2022, The Athletic positioned Johnson as the fifth greatest NBA player overall and acknowledged him as the highest-ranked point guard.

Numerous individual performances by Johnson are regarded as iconic moments within NBA history. At the 2019 NBA Awards ceremony, he was honored with the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award alongside Bird. In 2022, the league designated its Western Conference Finals MVP trophy to bear Johnson’s name; correspondingly, the Eastern Conference trophy is named after Bird.

Regular season

|- !scope="row" style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"| | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | 77 || 72 || 36.3 || .530 || .226 || .810 || 7.7 || 7.3 || 2.4 || 0.5 || 18.0 |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left"| | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | 37 || 35 || 37.1 || .532 || .176 || .760 || 8.6 || 8.6 || style="background:#cfecec;"|3.4* || 0.7 || 21.6 |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"| | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | 78 || 77 || 38.3 || .537 || .207 || .760 || 9.6 || 9.5 || style="background:#cfecec;"|2.7* || 0.4 || 18.6 |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left"| | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | 79 || 79 || 36.8 || .548 || .000 || .800 || 8.6 || style="background:#cfecec;"|10.5* || 2.2 || 0.6 || 16.8 |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left"| | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | 67 || 66 || 38.3 || .565 || .207 || .810 || 7.3 || style="background:#cfecec;"|13.1* || 2.2 || 0.7 || 17.6 |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"| | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | 77 || 77 || 36.1 || .561 || .189 || .843 || 6.2 || 12.6 || 1.5 || 0.3 || 18.3 |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left"| | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | 72 || 70 || 35.8 || .526 || .233 || .871 || 5.9 || style="background:#cfecec;"|12.6* || 1.6||0.2||18.8 |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"| | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | 80|| 80||36.3|| .522|| .205|| .848||6.3||style="background:#cfecec;"|12.2*||1.7||0.4||23.9 |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"| | style="text-align:left;" |L.A.Lakers 

|72||70||36.6|| .492|| .196|| .853||6.2||11.9||1.6||0.2||19.6
|-
!scope="row" style="text-align:left"|
|style = "text-align:left"| L.A.Lakers
|77||77||37.5|| .509|| .314||style = "background:#cfecec"|.911*||7.9||12.8||1.8||0.3||22.5
|-
!scope = "row" style = "text-align: left"| 
|style = "text-align: left"| L.A.Lakers
|79||79||37.2|| .480||  .384 || .890||6.6||11..5||1..7||0..4||22..3
|-
!scope = "row" style = "text-align: left"| 
|style = "text-align: left"| L.A.Lakers
|79||79||37..1|| .477|| .320|| .906||7..0||12..5||1..3||0..2||19..4
|-
!scope = "row" style = "text-align: left"| 
|style = "text-align: left"| L.A.Lakers
|32||9||29..9|| .466|| .379|| .856||5..7||6..9|||0..8|||0..4|||14..6

|- class = "sortbottom" ! scope = "row" style = "text-align:center" colspan = "2" | Career 

|906|||870|||36..7|||520|||303|||848|||7..2|||style = "background:#E0CEF2;" |11..2|||1..9|||0..4|||19..5

|- class = "sortbottom" ! scope = "row" style = "text-align:center" colspan = "2" | All-Star 

|11|||10|||30..1|||489|||476|||905|||5..2|||11..5|||1..9|||0..6|||16..0

Playoffs

|- !scope="row" style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|1980 | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | 16 || 16 || 41.1 || .518 || .250 || .802 || 10.5 || 9.4 || 3.1 || 0.4 || 18.3 |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|1981 | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | 3 || 3 || 42.3 || .388 || .000 || .650 || 13.7 || 7.0 || 2.7 || 1.0 || 17.0 |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|1982 | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | 14 || 14 || 40.1 || .529 || .000 || .828 || 11.3 || 9.3 || 2.9 || 0.2 || 17.4 |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|1983 | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | 15 || 15 || 42.9 || .485 || .000 || .840 || 8.5 || 12.8 || 2.3 || 0.8 || 17.9 |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|1984 | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | 21 || 21 || 39.9 || .551 || .000 || .800 || 6.6 || 13.5 || 2.0 || 1.0 || 18.2 |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|1985 | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | 19 || 19 || 36.2 || .513 || .143 || .847 || 7.1 || 15.2 || 1.7 || 0.2 || 17.5 |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|1986 | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | 14 || 14 || 38.6 || .537 || .000 || .766 || 7.1 || 15.1 || 1.9 || 0.1||21.6 |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|1987 | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers |18||18||37.0|| .539|| .200|| .831||7.7||12.2||1.7||0.4||21.8 |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|1988 | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | 24||24||40.2|| .514|| .500|| .852||5.4||12.6||1.4||0.2||19.9 |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|1989 | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers |14||14||37.0|| .489|| .286|| .907||5.9||11.8||1.9||0.2||18.4 |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left;"|1990 | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers |9||9||41.8|| .490|| .200|| .886||6.3||12.8||1.2||0.1|||25.2 |} |- !scope="row" style="text-align:left;" | 1991 

| L.A.Lakers
|19 |19 |43.3 | .440 | .296 | .882 |8,1 |12,6 |1,2 |0,0 |21,8

|- !scope = "row" style = "text - align : left ; " | 1996 

| L.A.Lakers
|4 |0 |33,8 | .385 | .333 | .848 |8,5 |6,5 |0,0 |0,0 |15,3

|- class=sortbottom !scope = "row" style = "text - align : center ; " colspan = "2" | Career 

|190 |186 |39,7 | .506 | .241 | .838 |7,7 |style = "background: #E0CEF2 ; " |12,3 |1,9 |0,3 |19,5

|-

Head coaching record

|- | style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers | style="text-align:left;"| | 16 || 5 || 11 || || style="text-align:center;"|(resigned) || — || — || — || — || style="text-align:center;"|— |- | style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Overall | 16 || 5 || 11 || || || — || — || — || — || style="text-align:center;"|—


Awards and honors

Basketball Triple Crown

NBA

  • Five-time NBA champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988)
  • Three-time NBA Most Valuable Player (1986, 1988, 1989)
  • Three-time NBA Finals MVP (1980, 1982, 1987)
  • Selected to the All-NBA First Team nine times (1982–1990)
  • All-NBA Second Team selection (1981)
  • Twelve-time NBA All-Star (1980, 1982–1992)
  • Two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP (1990, 1992)
  • Winner and MVP of McDonald's Open (1991)
  • Recipient of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (1991)
  • Honored with the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award (2019)
  • Led the league in assists four times (1982, 1983, 1985, 1986)
  • Twice led the NBA in steals (1980, 1981)
  • Awarded NBA Player of the Month six times
  • Earned NBA Player of the Week honors eighteen times
  • Named among the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history (1996)
  • Included on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team (2021)
  • Jersey No. 32 retired by the Los Angeles Lakers
  • Commemorated with a statue outside Crypto.com Arena
  • The Earvin "Magic" Johnson Trophy established for Western Conference Finals MVP (2022)

USA Basketball

  • Olympic gold medal winner (1992)
  • Gold medalist at the Tournament of the Americas (1992)

NCAA

  • Big Ten champion twice (1978, 1979)
  • NCAA national champion and Most Outstanding Player in tournament (1979)
  • Awarded Chicago Tribune Silver Basketball (1979)
  • Consensus first-team All-American and multiple first-team selections (1979)
  • Earned second- and third-team All-American distinctions (1978)
  • Two-time first-team All-Big Ten honoree (1978, 1979)
  • Jersey No. 33 retired by Michigan State Spartans
  • Honored with a statue at Michigan State University

High school

  • Michigan state champion with Lansing Everett High School team (1977)
  • Selected as first-team Parade All-American and McDonald's All-American (1977)
  • Named Mr. Basketball of Michigan (1977)

Halls of Fame

  • Inducted into Michigan Sports Hall of Fame – Class of 1998
  • Awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame – 2001
  • Enshrined in Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as individual in 2002; also inducted as part of "The Dream Team" in 2010
  • Member of National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame – Class of 2006
  • Inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame – Class of 2017 ("The Dream Team")
  • Included in U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame – Class of 2009 ("The Dream Team")
  • California Hall of Fame inductee – Class of 2011

Sports ownership

  • Part-owner and executive with Los Angeles Lakers during five NBA titles (2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010)
  • Co-owner of Los Angeles Sparks: WNBA championship winner (2016)
  • Partial owner of Los Angeles Dodgers: two World Series championships earned (2020, 2024)
  • Part-owner of Los Angeles FC: MLS Cup champion team member (2022)

Media and entertainment

  • Sporting News NBA MVP award recipient (1987)
  • Named to Sporting News and AP NBA All-Decade First Team for the 1980s
  • Winner of NAACP Image Award – Jackie Robinson Sports Award (1992)
  • Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album recipient (1993)
  • Marca Leyenda awardee (2002)
  • Harold & Carole Pump Foundation Lifetime Achievement honoree (2009)
  • Recipient of Sports Illustrated’s Muhammad Ali Legacy Award (2014)
  • MLB Civil Rights Game Beacon of Hope Award winner (2015)

National

  • Received United States Presidential Medal of Freedom on January 4, 2025

Executive career

On February 21, 2017, Johnson succeeded Jim Buss as the president of basketball operations for the Los Angeles Lakers. Throughout his leadership, the Lakers aimed to acquire premier talent and created cap space by moving players, including trading future All-Star D'Angelo Russell. In 2018, the franchise secured free agent LeBron James with a four-year deal, though efforts to trade for Anthony Davis during the 2018–19 season were unsuccessful. The team did not qualify for the playoffs during Johnson's period in charge. On April 9, 2019, Johnson stepped down, expressing his wish to resume his role as an NBA ambassador.

Team ownership

In January 2012, Johnson joined forces with Guggenheim Partners and Stan Kasten to submit a bid for ownership of the Los Angeles Dodgers. By March of that year, their consortium prevailed with a $2 billion purchase. Johnson serves as the public representative of the ownership group, while Mark Walter holds controlling interest. Under their stewardship, the Dodgers captured World Series championships in both 2020 and 2024.

Together with film executive Peter Guber, Johnson co-owned the Dayton Dragons, a Class-A minor league baseball team famed for selling out over 1,000 consecutive games—a record in professional sports—before divesting their shares in 2014. That same year, in partnership with Guggenheim, Johnson acquired the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA. The Sparks clinched the WNBA title in 2016 during his ownership. Johnson was recognized by ESPNW as one of the Impact 25 that year.

Johnson is a co-owner of Major League Soccer’s expansion team Los Angeles FC, which launched play in 2018 and secured the MLS Cup championship in 2022.

In 2023, Johnson contributed $240 million to an investment group led by Josh Harris that purchased the Washington Commanders NFL franchise for $6.05 billion. As an avid NFL supporter since childhood, Johnson described this acquisition as both a "dream" and his most significant business accomplishment. Prior to this, he explored ownership interests with the Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders, and partnered with Harris in an unsuccessful bid for the Denver Broncos in 2022. In September 2024, Johnson became part of the investment consortium acquiring the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League.

Personal life

Johnson fathered a son named Andre Johnson in 1981 with Melissa Mitchell. Though Andre was primarily raised by his mother, he maintained annual visits with Johnson and later served as marketing director for Magic Johnson Enterprises.

In 1991, Johnson married Earlitha "Cookie" Kelly in an intimate ceremony attended by notable figures such as Thomas, Aguirre, and Herb Williams. They have a son, Earvin III ("EJ"), who is openly gay and has appeared on the reality series Rich Kids of Beverly Hills. The couple also adopted a daughter named Elisa in 1995. Johnson currently resides in Beverly Hills and owns a vacation property in Dana Point, California.

A devout Christian, Johnson has identified his faith as "the most important thing" in his life.

Relationship with Jerry Buss

Johnson maintained a close bond with Lakers owner Jerry Buss, whom he considered both a mentor and father figure. Referring to Buss as his "second father" and "one of [his] best friends," Johnson spent considerable time visiting him shortly before Buss succumbed to cancer in 2013. Following Buss' passing, Johnson remarked, "Without Dr. Jerry Buss, there is no Magic." Buss purchased the Lakers in 1979 just prior to selecting Johnson first overall in the 1979 NBA draft. He took a personal interest in guiding Johnson by connecting him with prominent Los Angeles business leaders and instructing him on Lakers operations. In 1994, Buss sold Johnson an ownership stake in the franchise. Johnson credits Buss with imparting essential business knowledge that enabled him to become part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

After Johnson's HIV diagnosis in 1991, Buss offered steadfast support and kept him actively involved with the Lakers organization—as part-owner and briefly as head coach at Buss’ request in 1994. In 1992, Buss provided Johnson with a $14 million annual contract to compensate for years when he was not among the highest-paid players; although this contract was nullified by Johnson’s retirement, Buss continued payments regardless. This arrangement allowed Johnson to coach without receiving additional salary. Following his coaching tenure, Buss sold him a 4% stake in the Lakers for $10 million while Johnson remained an executive within the team.

Media figure and business ventures

In 1997, Magic Johnson Entertainment entered into an agreement with Fox. The following year, Johnson hosted Fox's late-night talk show The Magic Hour, which was discontinued after just two months due to poor viewership. Soon thereafter, he founded a record label initially named Magic 32 Records, which was rebranded as Magic Johnson Music following a 2000 partnership with MCA Records. The label’s inaugural artist was R&B singer Avant. Additionally, Johnson co-promoted Janet Jackson’s Velvet Rope Tour through his company Magicworks. He spent seven years as an NBA analyst for Turner Network Television before joining ESPN’s NBA Countdown studio panel in 2008.

Johnson is the head of Magic Johnson Enterprises, a diversified business group valued at approximately $700 million. Its subsidiaries include Magic Johnson Productions, Magic Johnson Theaters—a chain of cinemas across the United States—and Magic Johnson Entertainment, a film production company. He also introduced the Magic Card, a prepaid MasterCard designed to enable low-income consumers to engage in electronic commerce. In 2006, he partnered with Sodexo USA to create Sodexo-Magic, a contract food service venture. In 2004, Johnson and his associate Ken Lombard sold Magic Johnson Theaters to Loews Cineplex Entertainment; one of the theaters closed in 2010 and reopened in 2011 under the Rave Cinema 15 brand. In 2012, he launched Aspire, a cable network aimed at African American viewers, positioning it as a competitor to BET and TV One.

While still active as a Lakers player, Johnson pursued business opportunities and sought guidance from Michael Ovitz of Creative Artists Agency. His first enterprise was a premium sporting goods store called Magic 32, which shuttered within a year after losing $200,000 but provided crucial insights into consumer preferences. He became a prominent advocate for urban investment through redevelopment initiatives such as his theaters and a collaboration with Starbucks. Johnson persuaded Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz to establish outlets in urban neighborhoods via the Urban Coffee Opportunities partnership, acquiring 125 locations in cities including Detroit, Washington D.C., Harlem, and Los Angeles’s Crenshaw District. These stores consistently achieved above-average sales; after twelve prosperous years, Johnson sold his remaining stake back to Starbucks in 2010.

Johnson further expanded into urban real estate through investment funds Canyon-Johnson and Yucaipa-Johnson and formed an alliance with Aon Corp for insurance solutions. Between 2005 and 2007, he participated in a consortium that purchased Brooklyn’s Williamsburgh Savings Bank Tower for $71 million and transformed it into upscale condominiums. According to Forbes, he attained billionaire status in 2023, ranking among the wealthiest figures in entertainment.

In 1990, Johnson teamed up with Earl Graves Sr. to acquire a significant stake in the Washington D.C. PepsiCo bottling plant—the largest minority-owned bottling facility nationwide. He became a minority shareholder of the Lakers in 1994 by investing over $10 million and served as vice president until selling his shares to Patrick Soon-Shiong in 2010 while retaining an unpaid vice presidential role. In February 2017, he resumed an advisory position under Jeanie Buss. Following the Donald Sterling controversy, Johnson publicly expressed interest in purchasing the Los Angeles Clippers.

In 2015, Johnson secured majority ownership of EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, which manages $14.5 billion in annuities and life insurance products. He is also an investor in aXiomatic eSports, the parent company of Team Liquid.

Politics

Johnson is an advocate for the Democratic Party in the United States. In 2006, he publicly supported Phil Angelides in his campaign for Governor of California. He also backed Hillary Clinton during her presidential bids in both 2008 and 2016, even organizing a fundraiser on her behalf in 2016. In the 2010 Senate race, Johnson threw his support behind Barbara Boxer for re-election. Additionally, he endorsed Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential election and actively campaigned for Wendy Greuel during her 2013 run for mayor of Los Angeles.

HIV activism

Among the pioneering athletes to disclose his HIV-positive status publicly, Johnson was motivated by AIDS activist Elizabeth Glaser to share his diagnosis and become a leading advocate in HIV awareness and education. He later recounted making a commitment to Glaser before her passing to dedicate himself to educating the public about the illness.

After revealing his condition in 1991, Johnson established the Magic Johnson Foundation with an initial focus on fighting HIV, which eventually broadened its philanthropic mission. In 1992, he accepted a position on the National Commission on AIDS but resigned after eight months due to dissatisfaction with the White House’s disregard for the commission’s proposals, which included universal healthcare and expanded Medicaid coverage for low-income individuals affected by AIDS. Johnson delivered a keynote address at the 1999 United Nations World AIDS Day Conference and has held the role of UN Messenger of Peace.

His advocacy efforts sought to challenge misconceptions that HIV only affected intravenous drug users or homosexuals, stressing that everyone faces potential risk. Although some critics noted a decline in his public activism over time, Johnson’s disclosure sparked what became known as the "Magic Johnson effect," significantly enhancing awareness among heterosexual populations and encouraging earlier testing and treatment. Research indicates that his openness contributed to increased vigilance and behavioral changes that reduced HIV transmission risks.

To control his health condition, Johnson follows a strict daily regimen of antiretroviral medication. He has been proactive in promoting HIV therapies and has collaborated with pharmaceutical firms such as GlaxoSmithKline and Abbott Laboratories to raise awareness and fight AIDS, with particular attention to African American communities.

See also

Sources

Biographies

Johnson's autobiography is Additional biographies include:

  • (in German)
  • (in German)
  • (Featured in ESPN SportsCentury)

Instructional

    • Revised edition of

External links

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