Magic Johnson Final Retirement
May 14, 1996: Final retirement. Finished regular season with averages of 14.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game. Lakers are eliminated in four games by Rockets in first round of the playoffs.
“I am going out on my terms, something I couldn't say when I aborted a comeback in 1992.”
— Magic Johnson
May 14, 1996
The legendary Earvin “Magic” Johnson of the LA Lakers, who returned to the NBA after a four-year retirement to play 32 regular season and four playoff games, announced his retirement from the NBA.
In the following season, at the age of 36, Johnson attempted another comeback as a player. Playing power forward, he averaged 14.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game in the last 32 games of the season. After the Lakers lost to the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs, Johnson retired permanently, saying, "I am going out on my terms, something I couldn't say when I aborted a comeback in 1992."
