Magic Johnson’s finals record was 5-4 in series, but he actually had a losing record in NBA Finals games. That is because Magic’s Lakers were swept twice in the NBA Finals. Altogether, Magic Johnson’s record in NBA Finals games was 24-27.
Table of Contents
What Was Magic Johnson’s Finals Record?
Magic Johnson had a winning record in NBA Finals series but a losing record in NBA Finals games. The losing record in games is due to the teaming being swept in the Finals twice: in 1983 and again in 1989.
| Year | Magic Johnson’s Lakers Playoff Results | Games | Opponent |
| 79-80 | Won NBA Finals | 4-2 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 80-81 | Lost 1st Round | 1-2 | Houston Rockets |
| 81-82 | Won NBA Finals | 4-2 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 82-83 | Lost NBA Finals | 0-4 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 83-84 | Lost NBA Finals | 3-4 | Boston Celtics |
| 84-85 | Won NBA Finals | 4-2 | Boston Celtics |
| 85-86 | Lost West Finals | 2-4 | Houston Rockets |
| 86-87 | Won NBA Finals | 4-2 | Boston Celtics |
| 87-88 | Won NBA Finals | 4-3 | Detroit Pistons |
| 88-89 | Lost NBA Finals | 0-4 | Detroit Pistons |
| 89-90 | Lost West Semis | 1-4 | Phoenix Suns |
| 90-91 | Lost NBA FInals | 1-4 | Chicago Bulls |
| 91-95 | Did Not Play (Illness – HIV) | ||
| 95-96 | Lost 1st Round | 1-3 | Houston Rockets |
Who Did Magic Johnson Beat in the NBA Finals?
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- In 1980 Magic and the Lakers defeated a 76ers team featuring Julius Erving, Darryl Dawkins and Maurice Cheeks.
- In 1982 the Lakers again beat the 76ers. It was mostly the same Sixers team with Dr. J, Darryl Dawkins and Mo Cheeks but they also now had Andrew Toney who led them in scoring for the series.
- In 1985 Magic and Lakers beat Larry Legend and the Boston Celtics. Those Celtics featured a fierce front court including two other Hall of Famers besides Bird: Robert Parrish and Kevin McHale.
- In 1987, Magic’s Lakers beat Bird & the Celtics again.
- In 1988, Magic and the Lakers defeated the Bad Boy Detroit Pistons featuring Isaiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman and others.
Who Did Magic Johnson Lose To In the NBA Finals?
Magic Johnson lost four NBA Finals. All four losses were to incredible NBA teams or dynasties.
- In 1983 Magic and his Lakers lost to an all-time great Philadelphia 76ers team that still had Dr. J, Andrew Toney and Mo Cheeks but added Moses Malone as well. The Sixers nearly lived up to Malone’s “Fo, Fo, Fo” playoff prediction finishing 12-1 in the playoffs.
- In 1984 the Lakers got the worst of it in the first of three matchups vs Larry Bird and the Celtics.
- In 1989 Magic and the Lakers lost in their rematch with the Bad Boy Pistons.
- In 1991 the Lakers lost to Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant and the Chicago Bulls who won their first of six titles.
How Many Times Did Bird and Magic Play in the Finals?
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Bird and Magic played three times in the NBA Finals.
- In 1984 Bird and the Celtics won a seven game series.
- In 1985 Magic and the Lakers won a six game series.
- In 1987 Magic and the Lakers won again in six games.
How Many Finals MVPs Does Magic Johnson Have?
Magic Johnson won 3 NBA Finals MVPs in his career.
- In 1980 Magic won Finals MVP when he scored 21 points, dished out 9 assists and grabbed 11 rebounds per game. He also famously filled in for an injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at center.
- In 1982 Magic again won Finals MVP, this time scoring 16 points, grabbing 11 boards and dishing out 8 assists per game.
- In 1987 Magic dominated the Finals and won MVP. He scored 26 points, grabbed 8 rebounds and dished out 13 assists per game.
- In the Lakers 1985 Championship, The Cap, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, won MVP.
- In 1988, Big Game James Worthy won Finals MVP for the Lakers in their last title of the Showtime Era.
How Does Magic Johnson’s Finals Record Compare to Other Grea NBA Players?
Magic won more NBA Finals than most other great players, but he lost more too! Faced with stiff competition including both Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, Magic made the Finals a lot but did not always win them.
Magic and Kareem finished nearly tied on this list with more wins than losses but plenty of both. Click the links to read up on the Finals records of these all-time greats.
| Player | NBA Finals Record |
| John Havlicek | 8-0 |
| Michael Jordan | 6-0 |
| Bill Russell | 11-1 |
| Tim Duncan | 5-1 |
| Kobe Bryant | 5-2 |
| Steph Curry | 4-2 |
| Shaquille O’Neal | 4-2 |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 6-4 |
| Magic Johnson | 5-4 |
| Larry Bird | 3-2 |
| Hakeem Olajuwon | 2-1 |
| Kevin Durant | 2-2 |
| LeBron James | 4-6 |
| Wilt Chamberlain | 2-4 |
| Jerry West | 1-8 |
| Elgin Baylor | 0-7 |
Summary: Magic Johnson’s Finals Record
Magic Johnson’s finals record was 5-4. His Showtime Lakers won 5 NBA titles in the 1980s. Despite having a winning record in finals series, Magic has a losing record in NBA Finals games. His teams went 24-27 in finals games because they were swept twice in the Finals.
Featured Image Photo Credit: Adapted from “Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson on ’07” by Rafael Amado Deras is marked with CC BY 2.0.
I have been a Boston sports fan for more than forty years. I write about games, players and seasons from the past.