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Magic Johnson had perhaps one of the best performances ever as a rookie to help the Los Angeles Lakers defeat the Philadelphia 76ers to win the 1980 NBA Championship.
Johnson started at center in place of the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Game 6 and scored 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists during the 123-107 win. The 42 points scored by Johnson were the most ever by a rookie in the NBA, a record that still stands today.
Johnson went on to win the Finals MVP that year, though he lost the Rookie of the Year trophy to Larry Bird. With Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson willed the Lakers to victory in just his first season in the NBA.
40 years ago today, Magic Johnson scores 42 pts as a rookie (most in NBA history) while starting at center in place of the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the Lakers claim the 1980 NBA Championship with a 123-107 win over the 76ers in Philadelphia in Game 6 of the '80 NBA Finals. pic.twitter.com/9fYIJVPpHH
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 16, 2020
The performance by Johnson would solidify his place among the best in the NBA in only his first season with the Lakers. Of course, he would go on to win five NBA titles and become one of the best players in history.
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