1980s — Playoff Theater

Magic at Center — Game 6, Showtime is born

Magic Johnson·May 16, 1980

LAL@PHI·W123-107

Kareem out with a sprained ankle. Rookie Magic Johnson jumped center, played every position, finished 42/15/7 to clinch the title. Finals MVP at 20 years old.

31,420 — Skyhook for the record

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar·Apr 5, 1984

LALvsUTA·W129-115

Kareem's skyhook over Mark Eaton broke Wilt Chamberlain's all-time scoring record. The mark stood 38 years until LeBron in 2023.

60 in New Orleans

Larry Bird·Mar 12, 1985

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Bird went off in front of an Atlanta home crowd that ended up cheering for him. Career-high. Hawks bench, mid-game, stood and applauded.

"And there's a steal by Bird!"

Larry Bird·May 26, 1987

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Game 5 ECF, one second left, Pistons up 1. Isiah inbounded — Bird picked it clean and zipped it to DJ for the layup. The series-saving moment Johnny Most made immortal.

Junior, Junior, Junior Skyhook

Magic Johnson·Jun 9, 1987

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Game 4, 1987 Finals. Lakers down one, 7 seconds left at Boston Garden. Magic stepped between McHale and Parish, rose, hooked it home — Lakers up 3-1 on the series.