Magic Johnson’s grievances with his team past season must be at rest now that his team has defied the odds. Yes, despite the Detroit Lions being the favorites against the Washington Commanders in their NFL Divisional Round matchup. And the former Los Angeles Lakers star has not held back in expressing his joy at the big win.

“COMMANDERS WIN,” Johnson wrote not just with a clapping emoji but a shoutout to the Commanders’ defense first for setting the tone for the team’s win.

“We had 5 takeaways, including Martin returning an interception for a touchdown and a huge interception by Sainristil in the endzone to keep the Lions from scoring right before the half,” Johnson wrote. The win must also be special in another sense since it came against the team that he had rooted since his childhood. Yep, thanks to his Michigan roots, Buck was a big-time Lions fan.

He, however, gave up on his childhood love for the team as soon as it came to choosing between ownership loyalty and Lions. “Good luck to my [Washington] Commanders as we compete against the team I grew up cheering for today, the Detroit Lions,” he previously wrote on X.

And boy, did his luck work for his team. In what was a breathtaking display of grit and determination, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels threw two touchdown passes and helped the Commanders pull off a 45-31 win over the Detroit Lions. This victory marks Washington’s first trip to the NFC Championship game in 33 years.

Washington entered the game as the sixth seed, with a 14-5 record. And they were considered huge underdogs against the 15-3 Lions, who were Super Bowl favorites. But as we all know, this Commanders team, led by a rookie QB, new head coach, and general manager, has continued to defy expectations all season. Daniels reflected on their success with a confident message. “I always believed that we could achieve more than people give us credit for.”

Meanwhile, the Lions were haunted by turnovers—five in total—which proved to be their downfall. “If you turn the ball over five times against that team, it is going to be hard to win,” said Lions coach Dan Campbell. Washington’s defense, meanwhile, led by rookie Mike Sainristil with two interceptions, capitalized on every opportunity, with Quan Martin even returning one for a 40-yard touchdown.

Daniels, too, who finished with 299 yards passing and 51 yards rushing, didn’t let the pressure affect him. He made history as the second rookie quarterback to beat a top-seeded team in the playoffs, joining Joe Flacco. His first-half performance alone, with 242 yards passing, was enough to set a rookie playoff record.

Washington was clearly unstoppable, outscoring the Lions 28-14 in the second quarter. An NFL playoff record for the most points in a quarter. And despite Detroit’s attempts to recover, Washington’s defense and offense were in perfect harmony. And the game never truly felt in doubt.

Magic Johnson has been a constant cheerleader of his team following last season’s disaster

If you’re a Washington Commanders fan, you probably haven’t forgotten the tough ending to last season. An eight-game losing streak left many disappointed, including Magic Johnson, who didn’t shy away from expressing his frustration.

After a painful 14-7 loss to the New York Giants in October itself, he tweeted, “It’s hard to win in the NFL when you only score 7 points.” Fast forward to this season, and things feel different. Johnson has been more than just an owner—he’s been the team’s biggest cheerleader. Whether it’s showing up at games or sending out heartfelt best wishes before matchups, his support has been unwavering.

Even during the offseason, Magic Johnson’s optimism was contagious. Remember when he said during the 2024 draft, “Selecting a winner like Jayden Daniels will energize the players and our fan base.” Turns out, he nailed it. And how about those personal touches? Lunch outings with stars like Bobby Wagner and Terry McLaurin? That’s leadership on a whole new level.

It’s safe to say Magic’s belief in his team has sparked something special—and the results speak for themselves.