Magic Johnson's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Magic Johnson.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson Jr. is a highly accomplished American businessman and retired professional basketball player, widely considered the greatest point guard ever. He played his entire NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers, leading them to five NBA championships during the "Showtime" era after being drafted first overall in 1979 after winning a national championship with Michigan State. In 1991, he announced his HIV diagnosis and initially retired, returning for the 1992 All-Star Game (winning MVP) and briefly in 1996 before permanently retiring.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1977: Selection to McDonald's All-American Team

In 1977, Magic Johnson was named to the inaugural McDonald's All-American team and played in the Capital Classic.

1979: NBA Draft and National Championship

In 1979, Magic Johnson won a national championship with the Michigan State Spartans and was subsequently selected first overall in the NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.

1979: NCAA Championship Victory

In 1979, Michigan State defeated Indiana State 75–64 in the NCAA championship game, and Magic Johnson was voted Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.

1980: NBA Finals Victory and MVP Award

In 1980, Magic Johnson led the Los Angeles Lakers to victory in the NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, recording 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists in Game 6, and becoming the only rookie to win the NBA Finals MVP award.

1981: Signing a Historic Contract with the Lakers

In 1981, Magic Johnson signed a 25-year, $25 million contract with the Lakers, which was the highest-paying contract in sports history at the time.

1982: All-NBA First Team Nomination

During the 1982–83 NBA season, Magic Johnson earned his first All-NBA First Team nomination.

1982: Named Finals MVP

In 1982, Magic Johnson was named the NBA Finals MVP despite averaging only 16.2 points, the lowest average of any Finals MVP award recipient in the three-point shot era.

1982: Second NBA Finals MVP Award

In 1982, Magic Johnson won his second NBA Finals MVP award after the Lakers defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4–2, averaging 16.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 2.5 steals per game during the championship series.

1984: NBA Finals Matchup Begins

In 1984, the rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird reached new heights as their teams, the Lakers and Celtics, began a series of NBA Finals matchups that would span several years.

1985: NBA Finals Victory Over the Celtics

In 1985, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in six games to win the NBA Finals, with Magic Johnson averaging 18.3 points, 14.0 assists, and 6.8 rebounds per game in the series.

1987: Lakers-Celtics Finals Climax

In 1987, the Lakers and Celtics rivalry reached its climax as they met in the NBA Finals, continuing a series of intense matchups that defined an era of basketball.

1988: MVP Award and Finals Appearance

During the 1988-89 NBA season, Magic Johnson averaged 22.5 points, 12.8 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game. These statistics led to him earning his second MVP award, and helped the Lakers reach the 1989 NBA Finals.

1988: Lakers win NBA Championship

In the 1988 NBA Playoffs, the Lakers defeated the San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, and Dallas Mavericks to reach the Finals, where they faced the Detroit Pistons. The Lakers won the series in seven games, securing the NBA Championship. Johnson averaged 21.1 points, 13 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game during the series.

1989: Third MVP Award

In the 1989-90 NBA season, Johnson won his third MVP award after averaging 22.3 points, 11.5 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game.

October 1991: McDonald's Open in Paris

In October 1991, Johnson played with the Lakers in the McDonald's Open in Paris, France, and was named the tournament MVP after helping the Lakers win gold.

1992: Barcelona Olympics and Gold Medal

In 1992, Johnson competed in the Barcelona Summer Olympics for the U.S. national team, known as the "Dream Team." The team won 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.

1992: All-Star Game Selection and MVP Award

In 1992, Johnson was voted by fans as a starter for the NBA All-Star Game. He led the West to a 153-113 win and was crowned All-Star MVP after recording 25 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds.

1992: All-Star Game Return

In 1992, Magic Johnson returned to play in the All-Star Game, winning the All-Star MVP Award.

1992: Olympic Gold Medal with the Dream Team

In 1992, Magic Johnson was the co-captain of the United States men's Olympic basketball team, famously known as "The Dream Team," which won the Olympic gold medal in Barcelona.

1992: "A Midsummer Night's Magic" Raised $1.3 Million

The 1992 "A Midsummer Night's Magic" event, raised over $1.3 million for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF).

1995: Intense Workouts

During his retirement in 1995, 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.

January 29, 1996: Return to the Lakers

On January 29, 1996, Johnson officially returned to the Lakers. He played his first game the following day against the Golden State Warriors, scoring 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 10 assists.

1996: Return to the Lakers

By the time Magic Johnson 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.

1996: Selection as one of NBA's 50 Greatest Players

In 1996, Magic Johnson was honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

1996: Voted as One of the 50 Greatest Players

In 1996, Magic Johnson was voted as one of the 50 Greatest Players of All Time by the NBA, solidifying his legacy in basketball.

2002: Induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2002, Magic Johnson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his individual career.

2004: ESPN's Memorable Moment

In 2004, Johnson's HIV announcement was named as ESPN's seventh-most memorable moment of the previous 25 years.

2006: Rated Greatest Point Guard of All Time

In 2006, ESPN.com rated Magic Johnson the greatest point guard of all time, asserting that he might be better than Michael Jordan.

2010: Hall of Fame Induction as part of the Dream Team

In 2010, Magic Johnson was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the Dream Team.

2011: Magic Johnson Theater Reopened

In 2011, the former Magic Johnson Theater in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza re-opened as Rave Cinema 15.

2016: Won WNBA Championship as Owner

In 2016, Magic Johnson won the WNBA championship as the owner of the Los Angeles Sparks.

2019: Received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award

At the 2019 NBA Awards, Magic Johnson received the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award, shared with Larry Bird, recognizing their significant contributions to basketball.

2020: Dodgers Won World Series

In 2020, the Los Angeles Dodgers, co-owned by Magic Johnson, won the World Series.

2021: Selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Magic Johnson was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, recognizing his enduring impact on the sport.

2022: Los Angeles FC Won MLS Cup

In 2022, Los Angeles FC, co-owned by Magic Johnson, won the MLS Cup.

2022: Ranked Fifth Greatest Player in NBA History

In 2022, to commemorate the NBA's 75th anniversary, The Athletic ranked Magic Johnson as the 5th greatest player in NBA history and the highest-ranked point guard.