Kevin Durant wins 2024-25 Magic Johnson Award

May 14, 2025 – Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns has won the 2024-25 Magic Johnson Award, which honors the NBA player who best combines excellence on the court with cooperation and grace in dealing with the media and fans, the Professional Basketball Writers Association announced today.

Durant averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season and was named an All-Star for the 15^th time. Off the court, Durant consistently fostered an atmosphere of mutual respect and openness with reporters who cover the NBA. This is his second time receiving the award, which he first earned in 2010-11.

“We’re really pleased to honor KD again,” said PBWA president Howard Beck. “Kevin has long been one of the NBA’s most thoughtful and accessible stars. He always makes time for reporters, whether for on-the-record interviews or just informal chit-chat, and he never shies away from any topic. He’s as eager to dive into the minutiae of a single play as he is to discuss broader issues facing the league. His passion for the game always comes through. Our members were also really appreciative of Kevin’s public advocacy for reopening locker rooms after the pandemic, recognizing how critical that access is for building trust and rapport between players and journalists.”

Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers finished second in this year’s balloting. The other finalists, based on nominations from PBWA members, were Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors. A vote of the full PBWA membership determined the winner.

Durant is the fourth two-time honoree, joining Stephen Curry (2016, 2024), Damian Lillard (2017, 2020) and Shane Battier (2007, 2013).

The award, created in 2001, is named in honor of Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the former Los Angeles Lakers star, who was consistently engaging, thoughtful and gracious with the media throughout his Hall of Fame career.

The PBWA annually honors an NBA PR staff (Brian McIntyre Award), coach (Rudy Tomjanovich Award) and star player (Magic Johnson Award) who go above and beyond to work with the media and help inform fans. Under the PBWA’s current rules, adopted in 2020, no team or individual can win in consecutive years.

The PBWA is composed of more than 200 writers and editors who regularly cover the NBA and WNBA for newspapers, magazines and online news outlets.

Magic Johnson Award winners
2000-01 Ray Allen, Milwaukee Bucks
2001-02 Elton Brand, L.A. Clippers
2002-03 Jalen Rose, Chicago Bulls
2003-04 Jermaine O’Neal, Indiana Pacers
2004-05 Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards
2005-06 Grant Hill, Orlando Magic
2006-07 Shane Battier, Houston Rockets
2007-08 Derek Fisher, Los Angeles Lakers
2008-09 Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers
2009-10 Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors
2010-11 Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
2011-12 Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
2012-13 Shane Battier, Miami Heat
2013-14 Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
2014-15 Pau Gasol, Chicago Bulls
2015-16 Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
2016-17 Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
2017-18 DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Raptors
2018-19 Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
2019-20 Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
2020-21 N/A (pandemic)
2021-22 N/A (pandemic)
2022-23 Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
2023-24 Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
2024-25 Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns