Magic Johnson Award Explained

The Magic Johnson Award is an annual award for a National Basketball Association (NBA) player who recognizes excellence on the court and cooperation and dignity with the media and public.[1]

The award, which was created in 2001 by the Pro Basketball Writers Association a professional nonprofit organization comprised approximately 175 writers and editors of people who regularly cover the NBA for newspapers, magazines and websites has been given to some of the league's most prominent players over the years. It is named in honor of player Magic Johnson, whom the writers association regards as "the ideal model" for this award.[2]

Ray Allen was the inaugural recipient of the award. Shane Battier, Damian Lillard, and Stephen Curry are the only players to win the award multiple times. The most recent winner of the award is Stephen Curry, in 2024.

Winners

scope=colYear scope=colPlayer scope=colTeamscope=col class=unsortableRef(s)
2001 Milwaukee Bucks[3]
2002Los Angeles Clippers
2003 Chicago Bulls
2004 Indiana Pacers
2005 Washington Wizards
2006 Orlando Magic
2007 Houston Rockets
2008 Los Angeles Lakers
2009 Portland Trail Blazers
2010 Toronto Raptors
2011Oklahoma City Thunder
2012 Phoenix Suns
2013 (2)Miami Heat
2014 Dallas Mavericks
2015 Chicago Bulls
2016 Golden State Warriors
2017 Portland Trail Blazers
2018 Toronto Raptors
2019Miami Heat
2020 (2)Portland Trail Blazers
2021Not awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2022Not awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2023Milwaukee Bucks
2024 (2)Golden State Warriors

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Magic Johnson Award . May 4, 2016 . May 4, 2016 . probasketballwriters.org.
  2. Web site: Curry wins PBWA's Magic Johnson Award . May 3, 2016 . January 8, 2017 . nba.com. Associated Press.
  3. Web site: Stephen Curry wins PBWA’s Magic Johnson Award for 2023-24 season. PBWA . 15 May 2024. 16 May 2024.