NBA Star Magic Johnson Makes Accurate Prediction About the Nicks

Magic Johnson called it. Before a single pass was made or a shot taken, he predicted the New York Knicks would come out on top against the Detroit Pistons in a bruising playoff battle.

And that is exactly what happened Thursday night. The Knicks sealed a 116-113 win in Game 6, closing the series and punching their ticket to Round 2 of the NBA playoffs.

The win didn’t come easy. It was tight, physical, and full of pressure, just like Magic Johnson said it would be. His call? Spot on. And now the Knicks are headed to Boston to take on the Celtics.

Magic Johnson Predicted the Grit

On April 17, Magic Johnson laid it out: the Knicks and Pistons were about to battle in a “physical 7-game series.” He expected it to be tough and close, and even though the series only went six games, it felt like seven. Every game was intense, every possession mattered, and Game 6 came down to the final moments.

USA Today / Last month, the former LA Lakers Point Guard, 50, predicted that the Knicks would win over the Pistons. Magic Johnson was spot on!

Magic Johnson also pointed to key players. He said Karl-Anthony Towns would need to dominate for the Knicks. And Towns showed up when it mattered, owning the paint and hitting clutch shots. Magic also highlighted Mikal Bridges, who had a few quiet games but stepped up late in the series. The Knicks needed every bit of that lift.

Knicks Showed They are Built for the Moment

This wasn’t a fluke win. The Knicks earned every point. Jalen Brunson, their floor general, outplayed Cade Cunningham when it counted. Cunningham had big numbers, sure, but Brunson controlled the tempo, made smart plays, and delivered when it was crunch time. That is what winning playoff basketball looks like.

Karl-Anthony Towns brought the muscle. He played with force, drawing fouls and putting the Pistons’ frontcourt on their heels. The Knicks leaned into their depth and toughness. And the Pistons? They couldn’t quite match it for long enough.

The Pistons Still Made Noise

Detroit may have lost, but they didn’t just roll over. This was their first playoff run since 2019, and they made it count. Malik Beasley had flashes of brilliance. Tobias Harris gave them a veteran edge. But it wasn’t enough to close out games.

Cade Cunningham looked like a leader. But they will need more help and more polish if they want to go deeper next year.

Free Press / The Pistons are young, gritty, and clearly headed in the right direction. This series gave their core some real experience.

Some people make predictions just to make noise. Not Magic Johnson. When he talks hoops, there is weight behind it. He has been there. He knows what playoff basketball looks like: the pressure, the matchups, the moment.

He saw the Knicks’ size advantage, their veteran edge, and how the Pistons’ inexperience could hurt them. He didn’t just guess the winner. The former NBA great broke down exactly how it might happen. And that is what happened.

The Knicks-Celtics Series Will Be a War!

Next up: Boston. Game 1 is Monday night in TD Garden. The Knicks are coming in hot, but the Celtics are no joke. This is going to be a major test. Boston’s roster is deep, and its defense is elite. But the Knicks have heart and momentum.

Magic Johnson hasn’t weighed in on this one yet, but if he does, people will listen. Because now, he is not just a legend. He is the guy who called it. Fans are already buzzing about what is next. The Garden is alive again. And New York basketball feels relevant, maybe for the first time in years.