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Magic Johnson Was Spot-On With His Knicks-Celtics Prediction

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated May 17, 2025 9:20 AM ET

Before the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics played Game 6 of their NBA playoff series, Magic Johnson shared a strong opinion on who he believed would win the battle.

The Celtics were coming off an unexpected blowout victory in Game 5, during which Derrick White exploded for 34 points. According to Johnson, Boston was able to win because New York was not prepared to face a Beantown team missing Jayson Tatum.

Following that analysis, Johnson expressed his belief that six players would be the deciding factors in Game 6.

"There are 6 players (3 from each team) who will decide who wins Game 6 of the Knicks vs. Celtics Series," Johnson explained on X. "The Knicks players, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges and the Celtics players Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Payton Pritchard must have big games; whichever 3 players from each team that have the most combined total points will win Game 6."

There are 6 players (3 from each team) who will decide who wins Game 6 of the Knicks vs. Celtics Series. The Knicks players, OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges and the Celtics players Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Payton Pritchard must have big games; whichever…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 16, 2025

Interestingly, the Knicks won Friday's game and closed out the series, absolutely destroying the Celtics 119-81. Magic Johnson was spot-on with his take, as OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges all scored over 20 points each and combined for 66 points.

In comparison, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Payton Pritchard had a combined total of just 23 points.

As a result, the Knicks led by as many as 41 points and never really gave the Celtics a chance to win.

Following New York's win, Johnson reiterated his take with a new post, while also giving credit to Jalen Brunson and Miles McBride for contributing to the victory.

"The Knicks blew out the Celtics 119-81 and because their role players OG Anunoby, Karl Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges combined for total 66 points versus the Celtics role players - Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Payton Pritchard only had 23 total points combined," Johnson stated.

"Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson finished with 23 points and Miles McBride had great contribution from the bench scoring 10 points. The Knicks defense smothered the Celtics tonight in their victory."

The Knicks now move on to the Eastern Conference Finals where they will face the Indiana Pacers. Sure enough, it will be interesting to see what prediction Johnson will have for the series.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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