Magic Johnson says the NBA is in good hands as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant near the end of their careers, praising a Knicks team-first approach. With New York one win from its first NBA title since 1973, he points to what that run could mean
On Friday morning, Magic Johnson didn’t sound worried about the NBA’s future. He sounded energized.
Appearing on ESPN’s “First Take. ” Johnson spoke as superstar careers enter a twilight phase—LeBron James. Stephen Curry. and Kevin Durant are all moving toward the end of their runs. “When Steph, LeBron, and KD go, we’re in good hands,” Johnson said. “I didn’t know what was going to happen. I was scared. But now with these superstars that we have, the way the Knicks are playing. Now we got back to team basketball and not about individuals.”.
Johnson pointed to the Knicks as proof that basketball still has a shared. team-centered identity—something that. he said. can change how the league feels. “The Knicks have really helped us understand, when you play team basketball you can achieve great things. I’m excited, man. This is great. This is awesome for everybody.”.
That excitement arrives at a tense, high-stakes moment for New York. The Knicks are one win away from securing the franchise’s first NBA title since 1973. In Game 4 on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. New York produced the largest comeback in NBA Finals history. erasing a 29-point San Antonio Spurs lead.
Jalen Brunson led the charge with a game-high 36 points. OG Anunoby added 33 points, setting a playoff career-high, and he delivered a game-winning tip-in with just over one second remaining in the contest.
The timing matters, too. Game 5 of the NBA Finals will tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET from San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center on Saturday.
Put together, Johnson’s confidence and the Knicks’ postseason swing tell the same story from different angles: the league’s next era may be less about singular stardom and more about teams that can reverse momentum at the biggest possible stage.
Magic Johnson NBA Finals Knicks San Antonio Spurs Jalen Brunson OG Anunoby LeBron James Stephen Curry Kevin Durant team basketball