Magic Johnson Award

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.

The award, which was created in 2001 by the Pro Basketball Writers Association, 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.

Ray Allen was the inaugural recipient of the award. Shane Battier, Damian Lillard, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant are the only players to win the award multiple times. The most recent winner of the award is Victor Wembanyama, in 2026.

Winners

Year Player Team Ref(s)
2001 Ray Allen Milwaukee Bucks
2002 Elton Brand Los Angeles Clippers
2003 Jalen Rose Chicago Bulls
2004 Jermaine O'Neal Indiana Pacers
2005 Antawn Jamison Washington Wizards
2006 Grant Hill Orlando Magic
2007 Shane Battier Houston Rockets
2008 Derek Fisher Los Angeles Lakers
2009 Brandon Roy Portland Trail Blazers
2010 Chris Bosh Toronto Raptors
2011 Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Thunder
2012 Steve Nash Phoenix Suns
2013 Shane Battier (2) Miami Heat
2014 Dirk Nowitzki Dallas Mavericks
2015 Pau Gasol Chicago Bulls
2016 Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors
2017 Damian Lillard Portland Trail Blazers
2018 DeMar DeRozan Toronto Raptors
2019 Dwyane Wade Miami Heat
2020 Damian Lillard (2) Portland Trail Blazers
2021 Not awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2022 Not awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2023 Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks
2024 Stephen Curry (2) Golden State Warriors
2025 Kevin Durant (2) Phoenix Suns
2026 Victor Wembanyama San Antonio Spurs

Multiple-time winners

AwardsPlayerTeam(s)Years
2Shane BattierHouston Rockets (1) / Miami Heat (1)2007, 2013
Stephen CurryGolden State Warriors2016, 2024
Kevin DurantOklahoma City Thunder (1) / Phoenix Suns (1)2011, 2025
Damian LillardPortland Trail Blazers2017, 2020

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Magic Johnson Award". probasketballwriters.org. May 4, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Curry wins PBWA's Magic Johnson Award". nba.com. Associated Press. May 3, 2016. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 "Stephen Curry wins PBWA's Magic Johnson Award for 2023-24 season". PBWA. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  4. ↑ "Kevin Durant wins Magic Johnson Award for second time". ESPN. Field Level Media. May 14, 2025. Retrieved February 9, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Victor Wembanyama wins PBWA's Magic Johnson Award for 2025-26 season". April 16, 2026. Retrieved April 18, 2026.