Magic Johnson counted out the Philadelphia 76ers too soon.
The Los Angeles Lakers great thought the 76ers were on their way to getting dumped by the Boston Celtics in five games after Joel Embiid and company lost in Game 4 of the all-Atlantic Division first-round series.
But the 76ers responded in Game 5 on Tuesday with a 113-97 victory at TD Garden in Boston, Mass., to extend the series.
Following the game, Johnson apologized for his premature take on the Sixers.
“I have to apologize to the Philadelphia 76ers for thinking the Series was over after Game 4,” the three-time NBA MVP wrote in a post on X.
The 66-year-old Johnson also gave Philadelphia head coach Nick Nurse props for steadying the 76ers’ boat amid tremendous pressure to deliver in a win-or-go-home scenario.
“My hat goes off to 76ers Coach Nick Nurse who had an awesome game plan and had his team believing that they could beat the Celtics on the road in Boston!”
Johnson has a well-known history with the 76ers. He helped the Lakers win an NBA championship against Philadelphia during his rookie season, famously stepping in to play center in Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals. The 76ers later got back at Johnson and the Lakers, with Philadelphia sweeping the Lakers in the 1983 NBA Finals.
The 76ers can earn even more respect from Johnson if they can force a Game 7 with a win on Thursday at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pa.
