Did you know Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s first game after his HIV diagnosis-related retirement was January 30th, 1996 against the Latrell Sprewell-era Golden State Warriors?
I remembered reading about it in the Oakland Tribune as a kid, but didn’t have enough basketball knowledge at the time to realize how momentous a moment that was in both NBA and Lakers lore. A legend many had considered the greatest to ever play fought back from a seemingly insurmountable career-ending disease to come kick the Warriors ass.
That YouTube clip mesmerized me.