Editing Magic Johnson (section)

== Professional career ==
{{See also|Showtime (basketball)}}

=== Rookie season in the NBA (1979–1980) ===
Johnson was [[List of first overall NBA draft picks|drafted first overall]] in 1979 by the [[1979–80 Los Angeles Lakers season|Los Angeles Lakers]]. Johnson said that what was "most amazing" about joining the Lakers was the chance to play alongside [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]],<ref>{{cite book |last=Johnson |first=Earvin "Magic" |author2=William Novak |title=My Life |year=1999 |page=113 |publisher=Black Book Company |isbn=1-902799-01-1}}</ref> the team's 7&nbsp;ft 2&nbsp;in (2.18&nbsp;m) [[center (basketball)|center]] who became the leading scorer in NBA history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/history/records/regular_points.html |title=Regular Season Records: Points |publisher=National Basketball Association |access-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512114630/http://www.nba.com/history/records/regular_points.html |archive-date=May 12, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite Abdul-Jabbar's dominance, he had failed to win a championship with the Lakers, and Johnson was expected to help them achieve that goal.<ref name="1980finals">{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition |title=Rookie Makes the Lakers Believe in Magic |url=http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19791980.html |access-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512152948/http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19791980.html |archive-date=May 12, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Lakers coach [[Jack McKinney (basketball)|Jack McKinney]] had the {{convert|6|ft|9|in|m|adj=on}} rookie Johnson, who some analysts thought should play [[forward (basketball)|forward]], be a point guard, even though incumbent [[Norm Nixon]] was already one of the best in the league.<ref name="extra">{{cite news |last=Helin |first=Kurt |title=The Extra Pass: Talking "Showtime" Lakers with author Jeff Pearlman |date=March 5, 2014 |publisher=NBC Sports |url=https://nba.nbcsports.com/2014/03/05/the-extra-pass-talking-showtime-lakers-with-author-jeff-pearlman/ |access-date=September 29, 2018 |archive-date=December 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219125722/https://nba.nbcsports.com/2014/03/05/the-extra-pass-talking-showtime-lakers-with-author-jeff-pearlman/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Ramsay |first=Jack |title=Dr. Jack's Leadership Lessons Learned From a Lifetime in Basketball |page=98 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |year=2004 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uDQYw_Dr-hEC&q=%22magic+johnson%22+forward+mckinney&pg=PA98 |isbn=978-0-471-46929-2 |access-date=May 1, 2024 |archive-date=May 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501170608/https://books.google.com/books?id=uDQYw_Dr-hEC&q=%22magic+johnson%22+forward+mckinney&pg=PA98#v=snippet&q=%22magic%20johnson%22%20forward%20mckinney&f=false |url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson averaged 18.0&nbsp;points, 7.7&nbsp;rebounds, and 7.3&nbsp;assists per game for the season, was selected to the [[NBA All-Rookie Team]], and was named an [[NBA All-Star Game]] starter.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/birdla01.html |title=Larry Bird Statistics |website=Basketball-Reference |access-date=March 16, 2009 |archive-date=May 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512162618/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/birdla01.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

The Lakers compiled a 60–22&nbsp;record in the regular season and reached the [[1980 NBA Finals]],<ref>{{cite web |website=Basketball-Reference |title=1979–80 NBA Season Summary |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1980.html |access-date=May 17, 2008 |archive-date=August 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110804024957/http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1980.html |url-status=live}}</ref> where they faced the [[1979–80 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia 76ers]], who were led by [[forward (basketball)|forward]] [[Julius Erving]]. The Lakers took a 3–2&nbsp;lead in the series, but Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged 33&nbsp;points a game in the series,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1980_finals.html |title=1980 NBA Finals Composite Box Score |website=Basketball-Reference |access-date=February 28, 2009 |archive-date=May 12, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512161154/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1980_finals.html |url-status=live}}</ref> sprained his ankle in Game 5 and could not play in Game 6.<ref name="1980finals" /> Coach [[Paul Westhead]], who had replaced McKinney early in the season after he had a near-fatal bicycle accident,<ref name="extra" /><ref>{{cite book |last=Shmelter |first=Richard J. |title=The Los Angeles Lakers Encyclopedia |page=216 |publisher=McFarland & Company |year=2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fzLECwAAQBAJ&pg=PA216 |isbn=978-0-7864-6683-2 |access-date=October 16, 2018 |archive-date=February 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240210110046/https://books.google.com/books?id=fzLECwAAQBAJ&pg=PA216#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live}}</ref> decided to start Johnson at center in Game 6; Johnson recorded 42&nbsp;points, 15&nbsp;rebounds, 7&nbsp;assists, and 3 [[steal (basketball)|steals]] in a 123–107 win, while playing guard, forward, and center at different times during the game.<ref name="1980finals" /> Johnson became the only rookie to win the [[NBA Finals MVP]] award,<ref name="1980finals" /> with his performance in the [[Clutch (sports)|clutch]] regarded among the best in NBA history.<ref name="greatestpg" /><ref name="1980nbafinals">{{cite encyclopedia |encyclopedia=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition |title=NBA's Greatest Moments: Magic Fills in at Center |url=http://www.nba.com/history/magiccenter_moments.html |access-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512120544/http://www.nba.com/history/magiccenter_moments.html |archive-date=May 12, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="playoffmoments">{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/web/COM1053908/index.htm |title=Star time |last=McCallum |first=Jack |date=June 2, 2006 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210060947/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/web/COM1053908/index.htm |archive-date=February 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 17, 2019}}</ref> He also became one of four players to win NCAA and NBA championships in consecutive years.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/nba/stories/2001-11-07-magic-timeline.htm |title=Magic Johnson timeline |date=July 11, 2001 |work=USA Today |access-date=May 8, 2008 |archive-date=February 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210133332/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nba/stories/2001-11-07-magic-timeline.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Ups and downs (1980–1983) ===
Early in the [[1980–81 NBA season|1980–81 season]], Johnson was sidelined after he suffered torn [[cartilage]] in his left knee. He missed 45&nbsp;games,<ref name="stats" /> and said that his [[Physical therapy|rehabilitation]] was the "most down" he had ever felt.<ref>{{cite book |last=Johnson |first=Earvin "Magic" |author2=William Novak |title=My Life |year=1999 |page=135 |publisher=Black Book Company |isbn=1-902799-01-1}}</ref> Johnson returned before the start of the [[1981 NBA Playoffs|1981 playoffs]], but the Lakers' then-assistant and future head coach [[Pat Riley]] later said Johnson's much-anticipated return made the Lakers a "divided team".<ref>{{Cite book |first=Pat |last=Riley |url=http://archive.org/details/winnerwithinlife00rile_0/page/48 |title=The Winner Within |year=1994 |publisher=Berkley Books |page=48 |isbn=978-0-425-14175-5}}</ref> The 54-win Lakers faced the 40–42 [[1980–81 Houston Rockets season|Houston Rockets]] in the first round of playoffs,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/ |title=Houston Rockets |website=Basketball-Reference |access-date=May 24, 2008 |archive-date=June 26, 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040626085012/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/ |title=Los Angeles Lakers |website=Basketball-Reference |access-date=May 14, 2009 |archive-date=June 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612234102/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/ |url-status=live}}</ref> where Houston upset the Lakers 2–1 after Johnson [[Air ball|airballed]] a last-second shot in Game 3.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/08/sports/sports-of-the-times-magic-johnson-s-legacy.html |title=Sports of The Times; Magic Johnson's Legacy |last=Berkow |first=Ira |date=November 8, 1991 |work=The New York Times |access-date=May 17, 2022 |archive-date=February 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210140855/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/08/sports/sports-of-the-times-magic-johnson-s-legacy.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1981, after the 1980–81 season, Johnson signed a 25-year, $25&nbsp;million contract with the Lakers ({{inflation|US|25000000|1981|fmt=eq|r=-6}}), which was the highest-paying contract in sports history up to that point.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Hs9RAAAAIBAJ&pg=2762,5761965 |title=Johnson rubs LA's Magic lantern for 25 million bucks |date=June 27, 1981 |work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |agency=Associated Press |page=10|access-date=April 24, 2022|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424224811/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Hs9RAAAAIBAJ&pg=2762,5761965|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Seven Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a U.S. Dollar Amount – 1790 to Present |publisher=MeasuringWorth |url=https://www.measuringworth.com/calculators/uscompare/|access-date=October 20, 2020|archive-date=April 8, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070408052700/http://measuringworth.com/calculators/uscompare/|url-status=live}}</ref> Early in the [[1981–82 NBA season|1981–82 season]], Johnson had a heated dispute with Westhead, who Johnson said made the Lakers "slow" and "predictable".<ref>{{cite book |last=Johnson |first=Earvin "Magic" |author2=William Novak |title=My Life |year=1999 |page=141 |publisher=Black Book Company |isbn=1-902799-01-1}}</ref> After Johnson demanded to be traded, Lakers owner [[Jerry Buss]] fired Westhead and replaced him with Riley. Although Johnson denied responsibility for Westhead's firing,<ref>{{cite book |last=Johnson |author2=Novak |title=My Life |year=1999 |page=143 |publisher=Black Book Company |isbn=1-902799-01-1}}</ref> he was booed across the league, even by Laker fans.<ref name="nbafullbio" /> Buss was also unhappy with the Lakers' offense and had intended on firing Westhead days before the Westhead–Johnson altercation, but assistant GM [[Jerry West]] and GM [[Bill Sharman]] had convinced Buss to delay his decision.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ostler |first1=Scott |last2=Springer |first2=Steve |title=Winnin' Times: The Magical Journey of the Los Angeles Lakers |year=1988 |pages=154–156, 159–160, 169 |publisher=Collier Books |isbn=0-02-029591-X}}</ref> Despite his off-court troubles, Johnson averaged 18.6&nbsp;points, 9.6&nbsp;rebounds, 9.5&nbsp;assists, and a league-high 2.7&nbsp;steals per game, and was voted a member of the [[All-NBA]] Second Team.<ref name="stats" /> He also joined [[Wilt Chamberlain]] and [[Oscar Robertson]] as the only NBA players to tally at least 700&nbsp;points, 700&nbsp;rebounds, and 700&nbsp;assists in the same season.<ref name="espnshowtime" /> The Lakers advanced through the [[1982 NBA Playoffs|1982 playoffs]] and faced [[1981–82 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]] for the second time in three years in the [[1982 NBA Finals]]. After a triple-double from Johnson in Game 6, the Lakers defeated the Sixers 4–2, as Johnson won his second NBA Finals MVP award.<ref>{{cite web |website=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition |title=Lakers' Arduous Season Ends in Victory |url=http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19811982.html|access-date=May 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512100412/http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19811982.html|archive-date=May 12, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> During the championship series against the Sixers, Johnson averaged 16.2&nbsp;points on .533&nbsp;shooting, 10.8&nbsp;rebounds, 8.0&nbsp;assists, and 2.5&nbsp;steals per game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1982_finals.html |title=1982 NBA Finals Composite Box Score |website=Basketball-Reference|access-date=November 3, 2008|archive-date=October 14, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014095032/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1982_finals.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson later said that his third season was when the Lakers first became a great team,<ref>{{cite book |last=Johnson |first=Earvin "Magic" |author2=William Novak |title=My Life |year=1999 |page=148 |publisher=Black Book Company |isbn=1-902799-01-1}}</ref> and he credited their success to Riley.<ref>{{cite book |last=Johnson |first=Earvin "Magic" |author2=William Novak |title=My Life |year=1999 |page=149 |publisher=Black Book Company |isbn=1-902799-01-1}}</ref>

During the [[1982–83 NBA season]], Johnson's first of nine consecutive [[double-double]] seasons, he averaged 16.8&nbsp;points, 10.5&nbsp;assists, and 8.6&nbsp;rebounds per game, and earned his first All-NBA First Team nomination.<ref name="stats" /> The Lakers again reached the [[1983 NBA Finals|Finals]], and for a third time faced the [[1982–83 Philadelphia 76ers season|Sixers]], who featured [[Center (basketball)|center]] [[Moses Malone]] as well as Erving.<ref name="1983finals">{{cite web |website=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition |title=Moses Helps Dr. J, Sixers Reach Promised Land |url=http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19821983.html|access-date=May 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303032025/http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19821983.html|archive-date=March 3, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> With Johnson's teammates Nixon, [[James Worthy]], and [[Bob McAdoo]] all hobbled by injuries, the Lakers were swept by the Sixers, and Malone was crowned the Finals MVP.<ref name="1983finals" /> In a losing effort against Philadelphia, Johnson averaged 19.0&nbsp;points on .403&nbsp;shooting, 12.5&nbsp;assists, and 7.8&nbsp;rebounds per game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1983_finals.html |title=1983 NBA Finals Composite Box Score |website=Basketball-Reference|access-date=February 19, 2008|archive-date=December 23, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223115548/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1983_finals.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Battles against the Celtics (1983–1987) ===
[[File:Magic Lipofsky.jpg|thumb|Johnson with the [[Los Angeles Lakers]] {{circa}} 1987]]
Prior to Johnson's [[1983–84 Los Angeles Lakers season|fifth season]], West—who had become the Lakers general manager—traded Nixon to free Johnson from sharing the ball-handling responsibilities.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schrader |first=Steve |title=Ticker: Jerry West still fielding Magic Johnson-Norm Nixon questions |date=March 23, 2014 |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |url=http://www.freep.com/article/20140323/SPORTS03/303230065/ticker?odyssey=obinsite |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324014222/http://www.freep.com/article/20140323/SPORTS03/303230065/ticker?odyssey=obinsite |archive-date=March 24, 2014 |access-date=May 9, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson averaged another double-double season, with 17.6&nbsp;points, 13.1&nbsp;assists, and 7.3&nbsp;rebounds per game.<ref name="stats" /> The Lakers reached the [[1984 NBA Finals|Finals]] for the third year in a row, where Johnson's [[1983–84 Los Angeles Lakers season|Lakers]] and Bird's [[1983–84 Boston Celtics season|Celtics]] met for the first time in the postseason.<ref name="1984finals">{{cite web |website=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition |title=Celtics Win First Bird–Magic Finals Showdown |url=http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19831984.html|access-date=May 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512145314/http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19831984.html|archive-date=May 12, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Lakers won the first game, and led by two points in Game 2 with 18&nbsp;seconds to go, but after a [[layup]] by [[Gerald Henderson]], Johnson failed to get a shot off before the final buzzer sounded, and the Lakers lost 124–121 in overtime.<ref name="1984finals" /> In Game 3, Johnson responded with 21&nbsp;assists in a 137–104 win, but he made several crucial errors late in the contest during Game 4. In the final minute of the game, Johnson had the ball stolen by Celtics center [[Robert Parish]], and then missed two free throws that could have won the game. The Celtics won Game 4 in overtime, and the teams split the next two games. In the decisive Game 7 in Boston, as the Lakers trailed by three points in the final minute, opposing point guard [[Dennis Johnson]] stole the ball from Johnson, a play that effectively ended the series.<ref name="1984finals" /> Friends [[Isiah Thomas]] and [[Mark Aguirre]] consoled him that night, talking until the morning in his Boston hotel room amidst fan celebrations on the street.<ref name="auto">{{Cite book |last=Lazenby |first=Roland |url=http://archive.org/details/showinsidestoryo00laze/page/237 |title=The Show: The Inside Story of the Spectacular Los Angeles Lakers in the Words of Those Who Lived It |year=2006 |location=New York |publisher=McGraw-Hill |page=237 |isbn=978-0-07-143034-0}}</ref><ref name=thomsen>{{cite magazine |last=Thomsen |first=Ian |title=Isiah blasts Magic Johnson over criticisms in forthcoming book |date=October 22, 2009 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2009/10/22/isiah-magic |access-date=December 4, 2017 |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115191809/https://www.si.com/more-sports/2009/10/22/isiah-magic |url-status=live}}</ref> During the Finals, Johnson averaged 18.0&nbsp;points on .560&nbsp;shooting, 13.6&nbsp;assists, and 7.7&nbsp;rebounds per game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1984_finals.html |title=1984 NBA Finals Composite Box Score |work=basketball-reference.com|access-date=February 19, 2008|archive-date=October 21, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081021010039/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1984_finals.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson later described the series as "the one championship we should have had but didn't get".<ref>{{cite book |last=Johnson |first=Earvin "Magic" |author2=William Novak |title=My Life |year=1999 |page=196 |publisher=Black Book Company |isbn=1-902799-01-1}}</ref>

In the [[1984–85 NBA season|1984–85 regular season]], Johnson averaged 18.3&nbsp;points, 12.6&nbsp;assists, and 6.2&nbsp;rebounds per game, and led the [[1984–85 Los Angeles Lakers season|Lakers]] into the [[1985 NBA Finals]], where they faced the [[1984–85 Boston Celtics season|Celtics]] again. The series started poorly for the Lakers when they allowed an NBA Finals record 148&nbsp;points to the Celtics in a 34-point loss in Game 1.<ref name="85finals">{{cite web |website=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition |title=Aging Abdul-Jabbar Finds Youth |url=http://www.nba.com/history/85jabbar_moments.html|access-date=May 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210020433/http://www.nba.com/history/85jabbar_moments.html|archive-date=February 10, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, Abdul-Jabbar, who was now 38&nbsp;years old, scored 30&nbsp;points and grabbed 17&nbsp;rebounds in Game 2, and his 36&nbsp;points in a Game 5 win were instrumental in establishing a 3–2 lead for Los Angeles.<ref name="85finals" /> After the Lakers defeated the Celtics in six games, Abdul-Jabbar and Johnson, who averaged 18.3&nbsp;points on .494&nbsp;shooting, 14.0&nbsp;assists, and 6.8&nbsp;rebounds per game in the championship series,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1985_finals.html |title=1985 NBA Finals Composite Box Score |website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=May 11, 2008|archive-date=September 23, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923012030/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1985_finals.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |website=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition |title=Kareem, Lakers Conquer the Celtic Mystique |url=http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19841985.html|access-date=May 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304073836/http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19841985.html|archive-date=March 4, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> said the Finals win was the highlight of their careers.<ref>{{cite book |last=Johnson |author2=Novak |title=My Life |year=1999 |page=199 |publisher=Black Book Company |isbn=1-902799-01-1}}</ref>

Johnson again averaged a double-double in the [[1985–86 NBA season]], with 18.8&nbsp;points, 12.6&nbsp;assists, and 5.9&nbsp;rebounds per game.<ref name="stats" /> The [[1985–86 Los Angeles Lakers season|Lakers]] advanced to the [[1986 NBA Playoffs|Western Conference Finals]], but were unable to defeat the [[1985–86 Houston Rockets season|Houston Rockets]], who advanced to the Finals in five games.<ref>{{cite web |website=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition |title=1986 Playoff Results |url=http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/19851986.html|access-date=May 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210020516/http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/19851986.html|archive-date=February 10, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the [[1986–87 NBA season|next season]], Johnson averaged a career-high of 23.9&nbsp;points, as well as 12.2&nbsp;assists and 6.3&nbsp;rebounds per game,<ref name="stats" /> and earned his first [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|regular season MVP award]].<ref>{{cite web |title=All-Time #NBArank: Magic No. 4 |publisher=ESPN |date=February 10, 2016 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/nbarank4/all-nbarank-4|access-date=December 27, 2020|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108104536/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/nbarank4/all-nbarank-4|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1987.html#mvp |title=1986–87 NBA MVP Voting |website=Basketball-Reference|access-date=February 19, 2008|archive-date=February 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217094314/http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1987.html#mvp|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[1986–87 Los Angeles Lakers season|Lakers]] met the [[1986–87 Boston Celtics season|Celtics]] for the third time in the [[1987 NBA Finals|NBA Finals]], and in Game 4 Johnson hit a last-second hook shot over Celtics [[frontcourt|big men]] Parish and [[Kevin McHale (basketball)|Kevin McHale]] to win the game 107–106.<ref name="finals87">{{cite web |website=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition |title=Magic Maneuvers Lakers Past Celtics |url=http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19861987.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622091755/http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19861987.html |archive-date=June 22, 2011}}</ref> The game-winning shot, which Johnson dubbed his "junior, junior, junior [[hook shot|sky-hook]]",<ref name="finals87" /> helped Los Angeles defeat Boston in six games. Johnson was awarded his third Finals MVP title after averaging 26.2&nbsp;points on .541&nbsp;shooting, 13.0&nbsp;assists, 8.0&nbsp;rebounds, and 2.33&nbsp;steals per game.<ref name="finals87" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1987_finals.html |title=1987 NBA Finals Composite Box Score |website=Basketball-Reference|access-date=November 3, 2008|archive-date=August 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808123105/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1987_finals.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Repeat and falling short (1987–1991) ===
[[File:Pat Riley and Earvin "Magic" Johnsonat the Century Plaza (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Johnson with Lakers' head coach [[Pat Riley]] (left)]]
Before the [[1987–88 NBA season]], Lakers coach Pat Riley publicly promised that they would defend the NBA title, even though no team had won consecutive titles since the [[1968–69 Boston Celtics season|Celtics]] did so in the [[1969 NBA Finals]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/history/rileyrepeat_moments.html |title=Riley Guarantees A Repeat |website=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition|access-date=May 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512115807/http://www.nba.com/history/rileyrepeat_moments.html|archive-date=May 12, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Johnson had another productive season with averages of 19.6&nbsp;points, 11.9&nbsp;assists, and 6.2&nbsp;rebounds per game despite missing 10 games with a groin injury.<ref name="stats" /> In the [[1988 NBA Playoffs|1988 playoffs]], the Lakers swept the [[1987–88 San Antonio Spurs season|San Antonio Spurs]] in 3 games, then survived two 4–3&nbsp;series against the [[1987–88 Utah Jazz season|Utah Jazz]] and [[1987–88 Dallas Mavericks season|Dallas Mavericks]] to reach [[1988 NBA Finals|the Finals]] and face Thomas and the [[1987–88 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit Pistons]],<ref>{{cite web |website=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition |title=1988 Playoff Results |url=http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/19871988.html|access-date=May 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512145222/http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/19871988.html|archive-date=May 12, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> who with players such as [[Bill Laimbeer]], [[John Salley]], [[Vinnie Johnson]], and [[Dennis Rodman]] were known as the "Bad Boys" for their physical style of play.<ref name="laimbeer">{{cite web |publisher=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition |title=Bill Laimbeer career summary |url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/laimbeer_summary.html|access-date=May 18, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512152438/http://www.nba.com/history/players/laimbeer_summary.html|archive-date=May 12, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Johnson and Thomas greeted each other with a kiss on the cheek before the [[opening tip]] of Game 1, which they called a display of brotherly love.<ref name=thomsen /><ref name=gaydenial /><ref>Lazenby, [https://archive.org/details/showinsidestoryo00laze/page/261 p. 261].</ref> After the teams split the first six games, Lakers forward and Finals MVP [[James Worthy]] had his first career [[triple-double]] of 36&nbsp;points, 16&nbsp;rebounds, and 10&nbsp;assists, and led his team to a 108–105&nbsp;win.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19871988.html |title=Lakers Capture the Elusive Repeat |publisher=NBA |access-date=June 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222173733/http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19871988.html|archive-date=February 22, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite not being named MVP, Johnson had a strong championship series, averaging 21.1&nbsp;points on .550&nbsp;shooting, 13&nbsp;assists, and 5.7&nbsp;rebounds per game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1988_finals.html |title=1988 NBA Finals Composite Box Score |website=Basketball-Reference|access-date=February 19, 2008|archive-date=August 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807013857/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1988_finals.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was the fifth and final NBA championship of his career.<ref>{{cite book |last=Blevins |first=Dave |title=The Sports Hall of Fame Encyclopedia: Baseball, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Soccer, Volume 1 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |year=2012 |page=499 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aB8sCV5nVaoC&pg=PA499 |isbn=978-0-8108-6130-5}}</ref>

In the [[1988–89 NBA season]], Johnson's 22.5&nbsp;points, 12.8&nbsp;assists, and 7.9&nbsp;rebounds per game<ref name="stats" /> earned him his second MVP award,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1989.html#mvp |title=1988–89 NBA MVP Voting |website=Basketball-Reference|access-date=February 19, 2008|archive-date=February 17, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217094320/http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1989.html#mvp|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[1988–89 Los Angeles Lakers season|Lakers]] reached the [[1989 NBA Finals]], in which they again faced the [[1988–89 Detroit Pistons season|Pistons]]. However, after Johnson went down with a hamstring injury in Game 2, the Lakers were no match for the Pistons, who swept them 4–0.<ref>{{cite web |website=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition |title=Waiting Game Ends for Impatient Pistons |url=http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19881989.html|access-date=June 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222151438/http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19881989.html|archive-date=February 22, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Playing without Abdul-Jabbar for the first time, Johnson won his third MVP award<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1990.html#mvp |title=1989–90 NBA MVP Voting |website=Basketball-Reference|access-date=October 22, 2022|archive-date=March 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080301141609/http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1990.html#mvp|url-status=dead}}</ref> after a strong [[1989–90 NBA season]] in which he averaged 22.3&nbsp;points, 11.5&nbsp;assists, and 6.6&nbsp;rebounds per game.<ref name="stats" /> However, the [[1989–90 Los Angeles Lakers season|Lakers]] bowed out to the [[1989–90 Phoenix Suns season|Phoenix Suns]] in the [[1990 NBA Playoffs|Western Conference semifinals]], which was the Lakers' earliest playoffs elimination in nine years.<ref>{{cite web |website=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition |title=1990 Playoff Results |url=http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/19891990.html|access-date=June 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210020526/http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/19891990.html|archive-date=February 10, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Mike Dunleavy Sr.|Mike Dunleavy]] became the Lakers' head coach in [[1990–91 Los Angeles Lakers season|1990–91]], when Johnson had grown to be the league's third-oldest point guard. He had become more powerful and stronger than in his earlier years, but was also slower and less nimble.<ref>{{cite book |last=Perlman |first=Jeff |title=Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s |pages=396–7 |year=2014 |publisher=Gotham Books |isbn=978-1-59240-755-2}}</ref> Under Dunleavy, the offense used more half-court sets, and the team had a renewed emphasis on defense.<ref>{{cite news |last=Aldridge |first=Dave |title=Johnson Not Ready To Pass Mantle; For 9th Time, Lakers Show Magic Touch |date=June 2, 1991 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1067923.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150328154935/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1067923.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 28, 2015|access-date=February 15, 2019 |quote=But after a slow start under new coach Mike Dunleavy, Los Angeles found out that new weapons and new emphasis on defense could take it to the same place as Showtime did during the 1980s.}}{{subscription required}}</ref> Johnson performed well during the season, with averages of 19.4&nbsp;points, 12.5&nbsp;assists, and 7&nbsp;rebounds per game, and the Lakers reached the [[1991 NBA Finals]]. There they faced the [[1990–91 Chicago Bulls season|Chicago Bulls]], led by [[shooting guard]] [[Michael Jordan]], a five-time scoring champion regarded as the finest player of his era.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/jordan_bio.html |title=Michael Jordan Bio |publisher=NBA|access-date=March 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060902114359/http://www.nba.com/history/players/jordan_bio.html|archive-date=September 2, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/jordan_retires/news/1999/01/13/jordan_greatest/ |title=Praise from his peers |date=February 1, 1999 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=February 27, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121165849/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/1999/jordan_retires/news/1999/01/13/jordan_greatest/ |archive-date=January 21, 2009}}</ref> Although the series was portrayed as a matchup between Johnson and Jordan,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19901991.html |title=Bulls Finally Get That Championship Feeling |publisher=NBA |access-date=June 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222162648/http://www.nba.com/history/finals/19901991.html|archive-date=February 22, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><!-- the Laker's leading scorer James Worthy and starting shooting guard [[Byron Scott]] were both injured, and --> Bulls forward [[Scottie Pippen]] defended effectively against Johnson. Despite two triple-doubles from Johnson during the series, Finals MVP Jordan led his team to a 4–1&nbsp;win.<ref name="nbafullbio" /> In the last championship series of his career, Johnson averaged 18.6&nbsp;points on .431&nbsp;shooting, 12.4&nbsp;assists, and 8&nbsp;rebounds per game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1991_finals.html |title=1991 NBA Finals Composite Box Score |website=Basketball-Reference|access-date=November 3, 2008|archive-date=December 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201144624/http://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/NBA_1991_finals.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== HIV announcement and Olympics (1991–1992) ===
Johnson played with the Lakers in the [[McDonald's Open]] in Paris, France, in October 1991, and was named the tournament MVP after helping the Lakers win gold.<ref name="call">{{cite news |first1=Mark |last1=Heisler |title=Lakers Get the Better of a Close Call, 116–114: Pro basketball: The NBA remains unbeaten in McDonald's Open, but it gets by with a little help from its friends |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-10-20-sp-376-story.html |access-date=February 23, 2025 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 20, 1991}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Natasha |last1=Carleton |title=LA Lakers bring the NBA's flair to Paris |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-angelo-standard-times-la-lakers-brin/166485640/ |access-date=February 23, 2025 |work=San Angelo Standard-Times |agency=Associated Press |date=October 21, 1991 |page=3B}}</ref> However, after a [[physical examination]] before the [[1991–92 NBA season]], Johnson discovered that he had tested positive for [[HIV]]. In a press conference held on November 7, 1991, Johnson made a public announcement that he would retire immediately.<ref name="espn">{{cite news |last=Weinberg |first=Rick |date=September 1, 2004 |title=7: Magic Johnson announces he's HIV-positive |publisher=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/espn25/story?page=moments/7 |url-status=live |access-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914185048/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/espn25/story?page=moments%2F7 |archive-date=September 14, 2011}}</ref> He stated that his wife, Cookie, and their unborn child did not have HIV, and that he would dedicate his life to "battle this deadly disease".<ref name="espn" />

Johnson initially said that he did not know how he contracted the disease,<ref name="espn" /> but later acknowledged that it was through having numerous sexual partners during his playing career.<ref name=stunning>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/news/story?id=1273720 |title=Still stunning the world 10 years later |last=Friend |first=Tom |date=November 7, 2001 |publisher=ESPN|access-date=December 27, 2021|archive-date=March 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313012921/https://www.espn.com/espn/news/story?id=1273720|url-status=live}}</ref> He admitted to having "harems of women" and talked openly about his sexual activities because "he was convinced that heterosexuals needed to know that they, too, were at risk".<ref name=stunning /> At the time, only a small percentage of HIV-positive American men had contracted it from heterosexual sex,<ref name="gaydenial">{{cite book |last=Johnson |first=Earvin "Magic" |author2=William Novak |title=My Life |year=1999 |page=225 |publisher=Black Book Company |isbn=1-902799-01-1}}</ref><ref name=gender>{{Cite book |last1=Dworkin |first1=Sharon Lee |last2=Wachs |first2=Faye Linda|editor-last1=McKay|editor-first1=Jim|editor-last2=Messner|editor-first2=Michael|editor-last3=Sabo|editor-first3=Donald |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Osehn3at7GoC&q=magic%2520johnson |chapter=The Morality/Manhood Paradox: Masculinity, Sport, and the Media |title=Masculinities, Gender Relations, and Sport |year=2000 |publisher=SAGE |pages=53–54 |isbn=978-0-7619-1272-9 |language=en|access-date=January 30, 2023|archive-date=April 27, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427140344/https://books.google.com/books?id=Osehn3at7GoC&q=magic%20johnson|url-status=live}}</ref> and it was initially rumored that Johnson was [[gay]] or [[bisexual]], although he denied both.<ref name="gaydenial" /> Johnson later accused [[Isiah Thomas]] of spreading the rumors, a claim Thomas denied.<ref name=thomsen /><ref>Lazenby, [https://archive.org/details/showinsidestoryo00laze/page/297 pp. 297–8].</ref>

Johnson's HIV announcement became a major news story in the United States,<ref name=gender /> and in 2004 was named as ESPN's seventh-most memorable moment of the previous 25 years.<ref name=espn /> Many articles praised Johnson as a hero, and the then-U.S. president [[George H. W. Bush]] said, "For me, Magic is a hero, a hero for anyone who loves sports."<ref name=gender />

Despite his retirement, Johnson was voted by fans as a starter for the [[1992 NBA All-Star Game]] at [[Orlando Arena]], although his former teammates [[Byron Scott]] and [[A.C. Green]] said that Johnson should not play,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1003401/index.htm |title=Most Valuable Person |last=McCallum |first=Jack |date=February 17, 1992 |magazine=Sports Illustrated|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128120538/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1003401/index.htm|archive-date=January 28, 2010|url-status=dead|access-date=June 17, 2019}}</ref> and several NBA players, including Utah Jazz forward [[Karl Malone]], argued that they would be at risk of contamination if Johnson sustained an open wound while on court.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bork |first=Gunter |title=Die großen Basketball Stars |year=1994 |pages=90–94}} {{ISBN|3-7679-0369-5}}.</ref> Johnson led the West to a 153–113&nbsp;win and was crowned All-Star MVP after recording 25&nbsp;points, 9&nbsp;assists, and 5&nbsp;rebounds.<ref>{{cite web |first=Jon |last=Cooper |title=1992 NBA All-Star Game |url=http://www.nba.com/allstar2007/1992_allstar.html |publisher=NBA |access-date=June 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210020120/http://www.nba.com/allstar2007/1992_allstar.html|archive-date=February 10, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The game ended after he made a last-minute [[three-pointer]], and players from both teams ran onto the court to congratulate Johnson.<ref name="magiclarryquotes">{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/history/Classic_NBA_Quotes_Magic_and_Larry.html |title=Classic NBA Quotes: Magic and Larry |website=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition|access-date=June 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210023632/http://www.nba.com/history/Classic_NBA_Quotes_Magic_and_Larry.html|archive-date=February 10, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Johnson was chosen to compete in the [[Basketball at the 1992 Summer Olympics|Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics]] for the [[United States men's national basketball team|U.S. national team]], dubbed the "[[1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team|Dream Team]]" because of the NBA stars on the roster.<ref>Ten of the 12 players on the team were named on the NBA's list of [[50 Greatest Players]]: {{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/history/dreamT_moments.html |title=The Original Dream Team |publisher=NBA |access-date=June 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516085220/http://www.nba.com/history/dreamT_moments.html|archive-date=May 16, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Dream Team, which along with Johnson included fellow [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame|Hall of Famers]] such as Bird, [[Michael Jordan]], and [[Charles Barkley]], was considered unbeatable.<ref name=gold>[http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/national/moly_1992.html "Games of the XXVth Olympiad – 1992."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718073041/http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/national/moly_1992.html |date=July 18, 2010 }}. ''www.usabasketball.com.'' Retrieved May 9, 2017.</ref> After qualifying for the Olympics with a gold medal at the [[1992 Tournament of the Americas]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AA8wAAAAIBAJ&pg=6822,1672263 |title=From Rip City to Barcelona |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=Toledo Blade |page=17 |date=July 6, 1992|access-date=April 24, 2022|archive-date=April 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424224812/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=AA8wAAAAIBAJ&pg=6822,1672263|url-status=live}}</ref> the Dream Team dominated in Olympic competition, winning the gold medal with an 8–0 record, beating their opponents by an average of 43.8 points per game. Johnson averaged 8.0 points per game during the Olympics, and his 5.5 assists per game was second on the team.<ref name=gold /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/history/dreamT_moments.html |title=The Original Dream Team |publisher=NBA|access-date=June 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516085220/http://www.nba.com/history/dreamT_moments.html|archive-date=May 16, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Johnson played infrequently because of knee problems,<ref name=knee>{{Cite web |last=Barnard |first=Bill |title=Knee injury knocks Magic out of Dream Team lineup against Germany |work=The Bend Bulletin |page=D-5|date=July 29, 1992 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1243&dat=19920729&id=TV4PAAAAIBAJ&sjid=kYYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3579,2868782|access-date=December 10, 2024}}</ref> but he received [[standing ovation]]s from the crowd, and used the opportunity to inspire HIV-positive people.<ref name="borkstars" />

=== Post-Olympics and later life ===
Before the [[1992–93 NBA season]], Johnson announced his intention to stage an NBA comeback. After practicing and playing in several pre-season games, he retired again before the start of the regular season, citing controversy over his return sparked by opposition from several active players.<ref name="espnshowtime" /> In an August 2011 interview, Johnson said that in retrospect he wished that he had never retired after being diagnosed with HIV, saying, "If I knew what I know now, I wouldn't have retired."<ref name=memory>{{Cite web |date=August 2, 2011 |title=Magic Johnson wishes he hadn't retired so early (Video) |work=Los Angeles Times |url=http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2011/08/magic-johnson-wishes-he-didnt-retire-so-early.html|access-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526112903/http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2011/08/magic-johnson-wishes-he-didnt-retire-so-early.html |archive-date=May 26, 2018}}</ref> Johnson said that despite the physical, highly competitive practices and scrimmages leading up to the 1992 Olympics, some of those same teammates still expressed concerns about his return to the NBA. He said that he retired because he "didn't want to hurt the game."<ref name=memory />

During his retirement, Johnson has written a book on [[safe sex]], run several businesses, worked for [[NBC]] as a [[Color commentator|commentator]], and toured Asia, Australia, and New Zealand with a basketball team of former college and NBA players.<ref name="nbafullbio" /> In 1985, Johnson created "A Midsummer Night's Magic", a yearly charity event which included a celebrity basketball game and a [[black tie]] dinner. The proceeds went to the [[United Negro College Fund]], and Johnson held this event for twenty years, ending in 2005. "A Midsummer Night's Magic" eventually came under the umbrella of the [[Magic Johnson Foundation]], which he founded in 1991.<ref name=charity>{{Cite web |title=20 years of A Midsummer Night's Magic |url=http://www.magicjohnson.org/20-magic-moments/moment-6.php|access-date=November 7, 2024 |website=magicjohnson.org|archive-date=April 15, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130415063025/http://www.magicjohnson.org/20-magic-moments/moment-6.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> The 1992 event, which was the first one held after Johnson's appearance in the [[1992 Summer Olympics|1992 Olympics]], raised over $1.3 million for UNCF. Johnson joined [[Shaquille O'Neal]] and celebrity coach [[Spike Lee]] to lead the blue team to a 147–132 victory over the white team, which was coached by [[Arsenio Hall]].<ref name=gala>{{Cite magazine |title=Magic Johnson's Gala Midsummer Night Magic Gets $1.3 Mil for UNCF |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mMEDAAAAMBAJ&q=magic%2520johnson%2520uncf%2520all-stars&pg=PA48 |magazine=Jet |date=October 19, 1992|access-date=April 24, 2022 |language=en|archive-date=April 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411085357/https://books.google.com/books?id=mMEDAAAAMBAJ&q=magic%20johnson%20uncf%20all-stars&pg=PA48|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=event>{{Cite web |title=Game worn Shaquille O'Neal jersey from "A Midsummer Night's Magic" charity game |url=https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/4081378_176-1990s-shaquille-o-neal-uncf-magic-johnson-all-star|access-date=January 1, 2023 |website=LiveAuctioneers |language=en|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103190954/https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/4081378_176-1990s-shaquille-o-neal-uncf-magic-johnson-all-star|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Return to the Lakers as coach and player (1994, 1996) ====
Johnson returned to the NBA as coach for the Lakers near the end of the [[1993–94 NBA season]], replacing [[Randy Pfund]], and [[Bill Bertka]], who served as an interim coach for two games.<ref name=pfund>{{Cite news |last=Araton |first=Harvey |date=March 23, 1994 |title=Pro Basketball; Los Angeles Lakers Hire Magic Johnson To Be Head Coach |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/23/sports/pro-basketball-los-angeles-lakers-hire-magic-johnson-to-be-head-coach.html|access-date=January 3, 2023|archive-date=February 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203022540/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/23/sports/pro-basketball-los-angeles-lakers-hire-magic-johnson-to-be-head-coach.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=newcoach>{{Cite web |title=1993–94 Los Angeles Lakers Schedule and Results |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1994_games.html|access-date=January 3, 2023 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en|archive-date=February 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203195936/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1994_games.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson, who took the job at the urging of owner [[Jerry Buss]], admitted "I've always had the desire (to coach) in the back of my mind." He insisted that his health was not an issue, while downplaying questions about returning as a player, saying, "I'm retired. Let's leave it at that."<ref name=brief>{{Cite web |title=Magic coaching stint short term? |work=The Argus-Press |date=March 24, 1994 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QEAiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=A60FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1144,2167755|access-date=December 10, 2024 |page=13}}</ref> Amid speculation from general manager [[Jerry West]] that he may only coach until the end of the season,<ref name=brief /> Johnson took over a team that had a 28–38 record, and won his first game as head coach, a 110–101 victory over the [[Milwaukee Bucks]].<ref name=bucks>{{Cite web |title=Johnson gets win in first game as coach |work=The Fort Scott Tribune |date=March 28, 1994 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=t_gfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BAMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4548,4127621|access-date=December 10, 2024 |page=8}}</ref> He was coaching a team that had five of his former teammates on the roster: [[Vlade Divac]], [[Elden Campbell]], [[Tony Smith (basketball)|Tony Smith]], [[Kurt Rambis]], [[James Worthy]], and [[Michael Cooper]], who was brought in as an assistant coach.<ref name=brief /><ref name=worthy>{{Cite web |title=1993–94 Los Angeles Lakers Roster and Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1994.html|access-date=January 3, 2023 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en|archive-date=December 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205144202/https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1994.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson, who still had a guaranteed player contract that would pay him $14.6 million during the [[1994–95 NBA season]], signed a separate contract to coach the team that had no compensation.<ref name=brief /> The Lakers played well initially, winning five of their first six games under Johnson, but after losing the next five games, Johnson announced that he was resigning as coach after the season. The Lakers finished the season on a ten-game losing streak, and Johnson's final record as a head coach was 5–11.<ref name=newcoach /> Stating that it was never his dream to coach, he chose instead to purchase a 5% share of the team in June 1994.<ref name="nbafullbio" />

At the age of 36, Johnson attempted another comeback as a player when he rejoined the Lakers during the [[1995–96 NBA season]]. During his retirement, Johnson began intense workouts to help his fight against HIV, raising his [[bench press]] from 135 to 300 pounds, and increasing his weight to 255 pounds.<ref name=gary /> He officially returned to the team on January 29, 1996,<ref name=deseret>{{Cite web |date=May 14, 1996 |title=Magic Johnson Retires Again |url=https://www.deseret.com/1996/5/14/19242861/online-document-magic-johnson-retires-again|access-date=January 3, 2023 |work=Deseret News |agency=Associated Press |language=en|archive-date=April 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404205205/https://www.deseret.com/1996/5/14/19242861/online-document-magic-johnson-retires-again|url-status=live}}</ref> and played his first game the following day against the [[1995–96 Golden State Warriors season|Golden State Warriors]]. Coming off the bench, Johnson had 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists to help the Lakers to a 128–118 victory.<ref name="first">{{Cite web |title=Magic Johnson 1995–96 Game Log |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsma02/gamelog/1996/|access-date=January 3, 2023 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en|archive-date=December 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209154140/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/johnsma02/gamelog/1996|url-status=live}}</ref> On February 14, Johnson recorded the final triple-double of his career, when he scored 15 points, along with 10 rebounds and 13 assists in a victory against the [[1995–96 Atlanta Hawks season|Atlanta Hawks]].<ref name=first /> Playing [[power forward]], he averaged 14.6&nbsp;points, 6.9&nbsp;assists, and 5.7&nbsp;rebounds per game in 32&nbsp;games, and finished tied for 12th place with [[Charles Barkley]] in voting for the MVP Award.<ref name="stats" /><ref name=mvpvote>{{Cite web |title=1995–96 NBA Awards Voting |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1996.html|access-date=January 3, 2023 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en|archive-date=October 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002015846/https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/awards_1996.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The Lakers had a record of 22–10 in the games Johnson played, and he considered his final comeback "a success."<ref name=deseret /> While Johnson played well in 1996, there were struggles both on and off the court. [[Cedric Ceballos]], upset over a reduction in his playing time after Johnson's arrival, left the team for several days.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Taylor |first=Phil |title=On Spring Break |date=April 1, 1996 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1996/04/01/211548/on-spring-break-cedric-ceballoss-unauthorized-vacation-threatened-to-destroy-the-chemistry-that-had-made-the-lakers-a-contender-since-magic-johnsons-return|access-date=December 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303181633/http://www.si.com/vault/1996/04/01/211548/on-spring-break-cedric-ceballoss-unauthorized-vacation-threatened-to-destroy-the-chemistry-that-had-made-the-lakers-a-contender-since-magic-johnsons-return|archive-date=March 3, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Clifton |title=Pro Basketball; Leaving on His Terms, Johnson Retires Again |date=May 15, 1996 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/15/sports/pro-basketball-leaving-on-his-terms-johnson-retires-again.html|access-date=July 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417005042/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/15/sports/pro-basketball-leaving-on-his-terms-johnson-retires-again.html|archive-date=April 17, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> He missed two games and was stripped of his title as team captain.<ref>{{cite news |last=Howard-Cooper |first=Scott |title=Ceballos Is Back, but Not All the Way |date=March 27, 1996 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-03-27-sp-51859-story.html|access-date=May 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020030044/http://articles.latimes.com/1996-03-27/sports/sp-51859_1_cedric-ceballos|archive-date=October 20, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Nick Van Exel]] received a seven-game suspension for bumping referee [[Ron Garretson]] during a game on April 9. Johnson was publicly critical of Van Exel, saying his actions were "inexcusable."<ref name=nick>{{Cite web |agency=Associated Press |date=April 11, 1996 |title=Hitting Referee Costs Van Exel $187,000 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-04-11-sp-57305-story.html|access-date=January 3, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US|archive-date=January 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116185207/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-04-11-sp-57305-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson was himself suspended five days later, when he bumped referee [[Scott Foster (basketball)|Scott Foster]], missing three games. He also missed several games due to a calf injury.<ref name=deseret /> Despite these difficulties, the Lakers finished with a record of 53–29 and fourth seed in the [[1996 NBA Playoffs|NBA Playoffs]]. Although they were facing the defending NBA champion [[1995–96 Houston Rockets season|Houston Rockets]], the Lakers had home court advantage in the five-game series. The Lakers played poorly in a Game 1 loss, prompting Johnson to express frustration with his role in coach [[Del Harris]]' offense.<ref name=del>{{Cite web |last=Howard-Cooper |first=Scott |date=April 27, 1996 |title=Magic Raises Questions About Laker Confusion |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-04-27-sp-63301-story.html|access-date=January 3, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US|archive-date=April 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411085428/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-04-27-sp-63301-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson led the way to a Game 2 victory with 26 points, but averaged only 7.5 points per game for the remainder of the series, which the Rockets won three games to one.<ref name="first" />

After the Lakers lost to the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs,<ref>{{cite web |title=1996 Playoff Results |website=NBA Encyclopedia: Playoff Edition |url=http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/19951996.html|access-date=June 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609062651/http://www.nba.com/history/playoffs/19951996.html|archive-date=June 9, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Johnson initially expressed a desire to return to the team for the [[1996–97 NBA season]], but he also talked about joining another team as a free agent, hoping to see more playing time at point guard instead of power forward.<ref name=deseret /> A few days later, Johnson changed his mind and retired permanently, saying, "I am going out on my terms, something I couldn't say when I aborted a comeback in 1992."<ref name="espnshowtime" /><ref name=deseret />

==== Magic Johnson All-Stars ====
Determined to play competitive basketball despite being out of the NBA, Johnson formed the Magic Johnson All-Stars, a [[Barnstorm (sports)|barnstorming]] team composed of former NBA and college players. In 1994, Johnson joined with former pros [[Mark Aguirre]], [[Reggie Theus]], [[John Long (basketball, born 1956)|John Long]], [[Earl Cureton]], [[Jim Farmer]], and [[Lester Conner]], as his team played games in Australia, Israel, South America, Europe, New Zealand, and Japan. They also toured the United States, playing five games against teams from the [[Continental Basketball Association|CBA]]. In the final game of the CBA series, Johnson had 30 points, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists, leading the All-Stars to a 126–121 victory over the [[Oklahoma City Cavalry]].<ref name=cba>{{Cite magazine |last=Rodgers |first=Ted |title=Still Magic |magazine=The Sporting News |date=February 28, 1994 |url=http://business.highbeam.com/62653/article-1G1-14841180/still-magic|access-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511000528/http://business.highbeam.com/62653/article-1G1-14841180/still-magic |archive-date=May 11, 2013}}</ref> By the time he returned to the Lakers in 1996, the Magic Johnson All-Stars had amassed a record of 55–0, and Johnson was earning as much as $365,000 per game.<ref name=gary>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Gary |title=True Lies |date=February 12, 1996 |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/02/12/true-lies-all-along-magic-johnson-insisted-he-wasnt-coming-back-was-he-kidding-us-his-familyor-himself|access-date=January 3, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103190954/https://vault.si.com/vault/1996/02/12/true-lies-all-along-magic-johnson-insisted-he-wasnt-coming-back-was-he-kidding-us-his-familyor-himself|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson played with the team frequently over the next several years, with possibly the most memorable game occurring in November 2001. At the age of 42, Johnson played with the All-Stars against his [[alma mater]], [[Michigan State Spartans men's basketball|Michigan State]]. Although he played in a celebrity game to honor coach Jud Heathcoate in 1995,<ref name=honor>{{Cite web |title=Magic Johnson Returns To The Breslin Center |date=November 1, 2001 |url=https://msuspartans.com/news/2001/11/1/magic_johnson_returns_to_the_breslin_center|access-date=January 3, 2023 |publisher=Michigan State University Athletics |language=en|archive-date=April 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411085354/https://msuspartans.com/news/2001/11/1/magic_johnson_returns_to_the_breslin_center|url-status=live}}</ref> this was Johnson's first meaningful game played in his hometown of Lansing in 22 years. Playing in front of a sold-out arena, Johnson had a [[triple-double]] and played the entire game, but his all-star team lost to the Spartans by two points. Johnson's half-court shot at the buzzer would have won the game, but it fell short.<ref name=spartan>{{Cite web |title=Outside the Lines: Magic – 10 Years Later, and Limits of Loyalty |publisher=ESPN |date=November 4, 2001 |url=https://www.espn.com/page2/tvlistings/show84transcript.html|access-date=January 3, 2023|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103190952/https://www.espn.com/page2/tvlistings/show84transcript.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=msuhoops>{{Cite web |title=Men's Basketball Opens Exhibition Season Against Magic Johnson All-Stars |date=November 1, 2002 |url=https://msuspartans.com/news/2002/11/1/men_s_basketball_opens_exhibition_season_against_magic_johnson_all_stars|access-date=January 3, 2023 |publisher=Michigan State University Athletics |language=en|archive-date=April 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230411085355/https://msuspartans.com/news/2002/11/1/men_s_basketball_opens_exhibition_season_against_magic_johnson_all_stars|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 1, 2002, Johnson returned to play a second exhibition game against Michigan State. Playing with the [[Canberra Cannons]] of Australia's [[National Basketball League (Australasia)|National Basketball League]] instead of his usual group of players, Johnson's team defeated the Spartans 104–85, as he scored 12 points and had 10 assists and 10 rebounds.<ref name=cnnsi>{{Cite web |date=November 1, 2002 |title=Memory Lane: Magic records triple-double in exhibition win vs. Mich. St. |publisher=CNN/Sports Illustrated |agency=Associated Press |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/news/2002/11/01/magic_msu_ap/|access-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324083135/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/news/2002/11/01/magic_msu_ap/ |archive-date=March 24, 2012}}</ref>

==== Brief period in Scandinavia ====
In 1999, Johnson joined the Swedish squad [[M7 Borås]] (now known as 'Borås Basket'), and was undefeated in five games with the team.<ref name=indsweden>{{Cite web |title=Basketball: Johnson plays in Sweden |date=November 12, 1999 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/basketball-johnson-plays-in-sweden-1125438.html|access-date=January 3, 2023 |work=The Independent |language=en|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304225031/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/basketball-johnson-plays-in-sweden-1125438.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=dane>{{Cite web |title=Magic Johnson Returns To Scandinavia |date=November 5, 2000 |url=https://apnews.com/article/53526b867521051f6e439e024d41db9a|access-date=January 3, 2023 |publisher=Associated Press |language=en|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103190952/https://apnews.com/article/53526b867521051f6e439e024d41db9a|url-status=live}}</ref> Johnson also became a co-owner of the club;<ref name=solosweden>{{Cite web |last=Sanchis |first=J. R. |title=Historias nórdicas: Magic Johnson, el vikingo |date=November 10, 2011 |url=https://www.solobasket.com/internacional/historias-nordicas-magic-johnson-el-vikingo|access-date=January 3, 2023 |website=Solobasket |language=es|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103190957/https://www.solobasket.com/internacional/historias-nordicas-magic-johnson-el-vikingo|url-status=live}}</ref> however, the project failed after one season and the club was forced into reconstruction.<ref name=solosweden /> He later joined the Danish team The Great Danes.<ref name=solosweden />