On May 16, 1980, in Philadelphia, rookie Earvin “Magic” Johnson delivered one of the most memorable performances in NBA history. With Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sidelined by a severely damaged ankle, Johnson started at center in Game 6 of the NBA Finals and led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 123–107 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. The win secured the championship for Los Angeles, closing the series four games to two and ending an eight-year title drought.
Johnson, a 6-foot-9 point guard, finished the night with 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists and was named Finals Most Valuable Player, the first of three such awards in his career.
- On May 16, 1980, rookie Earvin “Magic” Johnson played center for the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and led the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA championship.
- Johnson recorded 42 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists in a 123–107 Game 6 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
- The Lakers won the Finals four games to two, earning their first NBA title since 1972.
From NCAA Champion to No. 1 Pick and a 60-Win Rookie Season
Johnson arrived in the NBA after leading Michigan State to the 1979 NCAA championship, defeating Indiana State and Larry Bird in the most-watched college basketball final ever. Later that year, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Johnson with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft.
Johnson’s rookie season immediately changed the direction of the Lakers. The team finished the regular season with a 60–22 record, improving by 13 wins from their 47–35 mark the year before. At the center of the team was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged 24.8 points and 10.8 rebounds per game and was named the NBA Most Valuable Player for the regular season.
Playoff Push and a Turning Point in the Western Conference Finals
During the playoffs, the Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns four games to one and advanced to the Western Conference finals against the defending champion Seattle SuperSonics. After losing a close Game 1, Los Angeles took a 3–1 series lead.
At halftime of the deciding fifth game, Abdul-Jabbar gave an emotional, angry pep talk, urging the team to raise its level of play and finish the series. He followed with 38 points, 11 rebounds, and seven blocked shots. Johnson, playing with a 101-degree fever, recorded a triple-double. The Lakers won 111–105, earning a place in the NBA Finals.
NBA Finals Matchup and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Injury
In the Finals, the Lakers faced the Philadelphia 76ers, led by Julius “Dr. J” Erving and Darryl Dawkins, along with Bobby Jones, Maurice Cheeks, Doug Collins, Steve Mix, Caldwell Jones, and Lionel Hollins. Through the first five games, Abdul-Jabbar dominated, averaging 31 points and 12 rebounds as Los Angeles took a 3–2 series lead.
During Game 5, Abdul-Jabbar twisted his ankle and was ruled out for Game 6. The injury was significant enough that the Lakers traveled to Philadelphia without their star center and left their championship champagne in Los Angeles, expecting the series to return for a seventh game.
Game 6 in Philadelphia: Magic Johnson Plays Center
With Abdul-Jabbar at home resting his ankle, Johnson took over the center role in Game 6. He scored 13 points in the first period, nine points in each of the second and third quarters, and 11 in the fourth, totaling 42 points. He also collected 15 rebounds and seven assists while playing every position on the floor.
Johnson and Jamaal Wilkes combined for 79 points, with Wilkes scoring 37. The game shifted early in the third quarter when the Lakers went on a 14–0 run, turning a 60–60 tie into a 74–60 lead. Los Angeles scored 33 points in the third quarter and led 93–83 entering the final period.
Philadelphia rallied in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to two points three times. With 6 minutes and 40 seconds remaining, Caldwell Jones scored to make it 99–97. Steve Mix tied the game at 99–99 with 5:51 left, and Bobby Jones narrowed the score to 103–101 at 5:11. Johnson and Wilkes then scored five consecutive points to push the lead to 108–101, after which the Lakers were not seriously threatened.
Julius Erving led the 76ers with 27 points, but the Lakers’ double-teaming limited his effectiveness late. The sellout crowd of 18,276 watched as Los Angeles closed out the game and the championship.
Quotes, Coaching Decisions, and Rare Rookie Achievement
After the game, Johnson credited his injured teammate.
“We did it for Kareem,” Johnson said. “He carried us this far and I’m sorry he couldn’t be here. I want to send him my thanks and my love.”
Johnson also reflected on the moment, saying, “This is unreal. This is it. You can’t go any higher than this. This has to be my greatest thrill in basketball.”
By winning the NBA championship in his rookie season after capturing an NCAA title the previous year, Johnson became one of the rare players — alongside Bill Russell and Henry Bibby — to achieve that milestone.
Rookie head coach Paul Westhead guided the Lakers using speed and fast breaks after taking over early in the season when Jack McKinney suffered a head injury in a bicycle accident. Philadelphia was unable to capitalize on Abdul-Jabbar’s absence, as the Lakers’ quickness disrupted Darryl Dawkins and Caldwell Jones inside.
Before the game, Johnson showed his confidence by taking Abdul-Jabbar’s usual first-row seat on the team flight to Philadelphia, winking at Westhead, and telling his teammates, “Never fear, E.J. is here.”
