The New York Knicks are heading into one of their most-hyped games of the year.
Playing at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night, the Knicks are hosting LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Considering it’s LeBron’s only trip to The Garden this season, there’s more juice to the matchup, since there’s some speculation that James might be quietly doing his final lap in the NBA. He won’t confirm that’s the case, leaving his future up in the air.
Like many fans, LA Lakers legend Magic Johnson is hyped for the matchup. The former NBA superstar took to social media to send a message about the game.
Magic Johnson Hypes Up the Battle at The Garden
“It’s going to be loud and electric in Madison Square Garden today for the Lakers vs. Knicks game, which will be a good test and must-see-TV for both teams!” Johnson wrote on the social media platform, X.
The Knicks have had a hard time in the new year. After winning the NBA Cup, they hit a tough skid. Prior to January 19, the Knicks lost eight games, winning just two matchups since the calendar turned to 2026.
Once the Knicks collected a 120-66 win over the Brooklyn Nets on January 21, that fired up one of the league’s hottest stretches. Suddenly, the Knicks are in the midst of a five-game winning streak. They rank second in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Detroit Pistons by 5.5 games.
On the other side, the Lakers are trying to become the seventh Western Conference team to collect their 30th win this year. Heading into the matchup, the Lakers hold a 29-18 record. They are sixth in the West, just one mistake away from giving up the seed to the Phoenix Suns, falling into the NBA Play-In picture.
While Johnson is hyped for the matchup itself, the legendary guard’s rooting interest should be obvious. The five-time NBA Champion and three-time NBA MVP is a Lakers lifer. In 1979, he was drafted first-overall out of Michigan State. He played his entire career, which spanned over 900 games, with the Lakers.
Although he no longer has direct ties to the organization beyond being a franchise icon, Johnson did help with building the roster in the past, spending a few years as a front office executive.
On Sunday, he’ll spectate the game, which tips off at 7 PM ET at MSG.
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