Why Magic Johnson And Isaiah Thomas Aren't Friends Anymore
The world of professional sports is high-stakes and stress-inducing, so it's no wonder that athletes are known to form strong bonds with one another. For instance, look at the bonds between Lebron James and Dwayne Wade, Peyton and Eli Manning (who are also brothers), or Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield (per Sportscasting), who've all developed deep friendships through the highs and lows of professional sports. Venture back a little further, and you may also remember the uber-close friendship that Magic Johnson and Isaiah Thomas shared.
Despite the fact that Johnson and Thomas played for the Lakers and the Pistons, respectively, they didn't allow their team's competitiveness to influence their off-court bond, which kicked off during the '80s. According to Bleacher Report, the pair was so close that Johnson dedicated an entire room in his house to Thomas, and often allowed him to use his car when he was out of town. Unfortunately, Johnson and Thomas eventually had a huge falling out in 1989, which preceded more than two decades of finger-pointing in the press.
Several factors caused Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas to fall out
Over the years, both Magic Johnson and Isaiah Thomas have given their sides of what led to the end of their friendship. It appears that the intense rivalry between their respective teams during the 1989 playoffs caused their friendship to fizzle out. "[Thomas] was getting in the way of my championship," shared Johnson with Jimmy Kimmel via Sports Keeda. "So, you know, listen Jimmy, you can't get in the way of winning for me because I hurt you, just that way. Sometimes you tried me and I had to remind you, I played in the NBA and you playing wreck ball."
According to Thomas, who spoke with the Pivot Podcast in 2022, Johnson showed off his shady side after the NBA finals kicked off. "Now, I get to the NBA Finals ... Magic's like ... I used to stay at the house... we used to have dinner," remarked Thomas, via Fadeaway World. "First game: 'Nah, you can't come to the house.' 'What do you mean I can't come to the house?' 'See you at the game.'" Ultimately, Thomas revealed that he believed Pat Riley, former coach of the Lakers, didn't approve of his friendship with Johnson.
However, playoff woes wouldn't be their only source of tension. As revealed in the book, "When The Game Was Ours," Johnson, who announced that he was HIV positive in 1996, suspected that Thomas was spreading lies about his sexuality, via Bleacher Report.
Magic Johnson and Isaiah Thomas had a heart to heart
As the old saying goes, time heals all wounds. In the case of Magic Johnson and Isaiah Thomas, this appears to be true. In 2017, Magic Johnson and Isaiah Thomas came face to face on NBA TV's "Player's Only," to address all of the problems in their past. After a video showing Johnson and Thomas singing each other's praises as young athletes, the video cuts to the present time as they seemingly jump back into their old, easy-going dynamic. Later, in the video, Johnson apologized to Thomas for his part in their feud.
"Just to sit across from you and relive the moments of fun, excellence, working hard, dreaming big...who sits up at 19, 20, 21, dreaming of stuff we want to do, and now we're here doing it," shared Johnson, via Complex. "You are my brother. Let me apologize to you if I hurt you, that we haven't been together, and God is good to bring us back together," he continued. Thomas accepted his apology, although he jokingly remarked that he was still angry that Johnson beat him during the finals, that year.
Like any good friends, Johnson and Thomas closed out their reconciliation with an emotional hug via ESPN.