It is still the first round of the NBA Playoffs and things have already gotten intense. While all games have had their fair share of drama and action, the game that has everyone talking is the matchup between the LA Clippers and the Phoenix Suns. It was a much-anticipated matchup due to the face-off between former teammates, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The Suns had a substantial advantage over the Clippers in terms of firepower and still managed to lose out to the LA team, irking even the cool and composed Magic Johnson.
Magic Johnson led the Showtime Los Angeles Lakers, along with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, to five NBA championships in the 80s. A Lakers faithful to the core, it’s not surprising to see Magic irritated at their LA rivals besting out the mighty Suns. Johnson also had a reality check for the Lakers despite winning their game 1 matchup against the Grizzlies.
Magic Johnson calls out the Phoenix Suns after their loss in game 1
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The Clippers had a close win against the Suns after Kawhi Leonard outscored Kevin Durant. The Clippers have been considered the underdogs the entire season, especially against the mighty Suns. But their unexpected win has raised doubts in the NBA community, sparking numerous debates online, including a heated exchange between ‘Inside the NBA’ hosts Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley.
While Barkley favoured the LA Clippers, Magic Johnson is seemingly upset with the Phoenix Suns for not securing a win against his town’s rivals. The NBA legend took to his Twitter to call out the Suns for being “lackadaisical and [having] no sense of urgency” to win.
The Clippers out-hustled and played harder than the Suns in Game 1. You could tell they wanted to win more and the Suns played lackadaisical and with no sense of urgency!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 18, 2023
The twelve-time NBA All-Star is not only upset with the Suns for their lack of enthusiasm and effort to win, but also gave a reality check to LeBron James’ team ahead of their next game!
Magic warns his former team before their next game
While there is not much the former Lakers legend can do about the Clippers winning against the Suns, he surely did not fail to offer a tip-off to his former team. The former Lakers superstar wrote another tweet after game 1 between the Lakers and the Grizzlies.
If the @Lakers are to win Game 2 they cannot be complacent. They have to play harder, more aggressive, and take better care of the ball because we know the Grizzlies will play better and be more physical in Game 2. The Lakers must be ready!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 18, 2023
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While the Lakers had a landslide victory in Game 1 and Grizzlies’ Ja Morant is out with an injury, Johnson warned the Lakers to not slow down or take their eyes off the wheel. He said, “If the @Lakers are to win Game 2 they cannot be complacent. They have to play harder, more aggressive, and take better care of the ball because we know the Grizzlies will play better and be more physical in Game 2. The Lakers must be ready!“
Will the Lakers win Game 2? Let us know in the comments below.
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