Magic Johnson. Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Magic Johnson apologizes after making accusation about Lakers

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 5/2/24

Magic Johnson has backtracked after being critical of the Los Angeles Lakers over their disappointing season.

The Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in five games during their Western Conference first-round playoff series. Ever since the team’s season came to an end on Monday, there have been people pointing fingers regarding the team’s struggles. That includes Johnson.

On Tuesday, Johnson criticized the Lakers and blamed “load management.”

“The Lakers have nobody but themselves to blame. They wouldn’t have been in the play-in game or finished as a 7th seed this season if they hadn’t lost too many games because of load management,” Johnson wrote on X Tuesday.

The Lakers have nobody but themselves to blame. They wouldn’t have been in the play-in game or finished as a 7th seed this season if they hadn’t lost too many games because of load management.

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 30, 2024

A day later, Johnson backtracked and had a different reason for the Lakers’ downfall: injuries.

“Laker Nation, I have to apologize to the Lakers organization. It was injuries that plagued the Lakers this season, not load management,” Johnson wrote on X Wednesday.

Laker Nation, I have to apologize to the Lakers organization. It was injuries that plagued the Lakers this season, not load management.

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 2, 2024

What happened, did Jeanie Buss get to Magic?

LeBron James, Anthony Davis, D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves all played over 70 games this season. Were Jarred Vanderbilt and Gabe Vincent the missing pieces? That’s apparently what someone is trying to tell Johnson, and apparently, he’s buying the excuse.

What if it’s not load management or injuries that led to the Lakers’ early exit, but just that other teams in the West are better?

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

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