1987
Los Angeles Lakers
Series Flow
4
Wins
2
Losses
Regular Season
65–17
Win–Loss
Playoff Record
15–3
Win–Loss
Finals
4–2
vs Boston Celtics
Finals MVP
Johnson
Magic
Los Angeles Lakers
65–17Boston Celtics
59–23The last great Celtics team of the Bird era. They went 23-4 in the regular season to end it; Bird was at his transcendent peak. But Magic and Showtime were simply too fast, too creative, and too complete.
Finals MVP
Magic Johnson
#32 · Guard
26.2
PPG
8.0
APG
6.8
RPG
1.5
SPG
The greatest Finals performance of Magic's career — a masterclass in winning basketball against the Celtics.
The "junior, junior, junior skyhook" over Parish and McHale in Game 4 is one of the most iconic shots in Finals history
His 26.2 PPG, 8 APG series remains the greatest Finals performance by a point guard in the modern era
How the Series Unfolded
G1 · W
1–0
G2 · W
2–0
G3 · L
2–1
G4 · W
3–1
G5 · L
3–2
G6 · W
4–2
126
LAL
113
BOS
The Lakers imposed their pace immediately. Magic (29 pts, 8 ast) and Worthy (33 pts) were too much for Boston to handle.
Los Angeles Lakers
James Worthy
33 pts · 8 rebDominated McHale and Parish off the dribble all night.
BOS
Larry Bird
27 pts · 11 rebBird at his best — but the Celtics needed more than Bird.
141
LAL
122
BOS
A Showtime blowout — 141 points in an NBA Finals game. Magic orchestrated a masterpiece, and no Celtics team could match this pace.
Los Angeles Lakers
Magic Johnson
29 pts · 13 astShowtime at its most beautiful — 141 points and not a wasted possession.
BOS
Larry Bird
30 pts · 10 rebLed all scorers in a losing effort — was simply playing a different game than his teammates.
103
LAL
109
BOS
Boston's parquet floor and raucous crowd sparked the Celtics. Bird (30 pts) took over and kept the series alive with a statement win in the Garden.
BOS
Larry Bird
30 pts · 11 reb · 7 astBoston Garden Bird — the version that wins championships.
Dennis Johnson
17 pts · 6 astGave Magic fits on defense and provided calm veteran leadership.
107
LAL
106
BOS
Magic Johnson's "junior, junior, junior skyhook" — a running hook over Parish and McHale with two seconds left — gave the Lakers a 3-1 series lead and one of basketball's most celebrated moments.
Los Angeles Lakers
Magic Johnson
29 pts · 8 ast · game-winning skyhook"Junior, junior, junior skyhook!" — the call, the shot, and the moment are immortal.
BOS
Larry Bird
28 pts · 9 rebIncredible performance in a losing cause; was in position to defend the shot but nobody could have stopped it.
97
LAL
108
BOS
Bird's 29 points and the Boston crowd kept the Celtics alive for one more game.
Los Angeles Lakers
Magic Johnson
21 pts · 11 astEven in a loss, Magic's vision and shooting kept the Lakers in it.
BOS
Larry Bird
29 pts · 9 rebRefused to let Boston die — carried them to another game.
106
LAL
93
BOS
Magic closed out the Celtics in Hollywood. His championship series — 26.2 PPG, 8 APG — was the greatest point guard Finals performance in history.
Los Angeles Lakers
Magic Johnson
24 pts · 7 ast · 8 rebCommanded the game from start to finish — the greatest point guard to ever play the game at his peak.
James Worthy
22 pts · 7 rebClosed it out efficiently alongside Magic — the perfect Finals performance.
They Pushed Us to the Limit
The last great Celtics team of the Bird era. They went 23-4 in the regular season to end it; Bird was at his transcendent peak. But Magic and Showtime were simply too fast, too creative, and too complete.
24.0
PPG
10.0
RPG
5.2
APG
Played at an otherworldly level — the problem was Magic played at a higher one.
History Written in 1987
Los Angeles Lakers
10th NBA Championship — beginning of back-to-back (1987-88)
Magic Johnson
Finals MVP — the skyhook over Parish is one of the iconic shots in Finals history
Magic Johnson
His 26.2 PPG, 8.0 APG series remains the greatest Finals performance by a point guard in the modern era
Pat Riley
Guaranteed the back-to-back before the season with a press conference — and delivered
Beyond the Box Score
Pat Riley guaranteed a repeat before the 1987-88 season began. The 1987 Finals — against Larry Bird's Celtics — was the defining moment of Showtime's greatest chapter. Magic's skyhook in Game 4 became one of the most iconic moments in basketball history.
The rivalry with Boston was at its zenith. The Lakers were faster. Magic was better than Bird in 1987. And Showtime was the most entertaining show in all of professional sports.
The Full Story
The rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics reached its creative peak in 1987. Magic Johnson averaging 26 points and 8 assists per game against the best team in the Eastern Conference. Showtime firing on all cylinders. The skyhook.
Game 4 needs no context for basketball fans. Two seconds left. Magic Johnson catches the ball at the elbow, goes baseline, and releases a running hook over Robert Parish and Kevin McHale. It goes in. Chick Hearn screams "Junior, junior, junior skyhook!" And the Lakers lead the series 3-1.
It was Magic at his absolute peak. The 1987 Finals MVP was his most dominant championship. The Celtics were great — Bird averaged 24 and 10. But this version of Magic Johnson, orchestrating Showtime, was the greatest basketball player alive.