Magic To Join Lakers Today; Will Play Tuesday, Nbc Says

Magic Johnson reportedly has signed a contract with the Los Angeles Lakers and will return to the NBA Tuesday night in a home game against the Golden State Warriors.

A Lakers spokesman, however, denied NBC-TV’s report Sunday, which said Johnson’s comeback would be officially announced today at a news conference in Los Angeles. The network cited unidentified sources in the league and close to Johnson.

Lakers spokesman John Black said Johnson had not signed a contract and that no news conference was scheduled for today.

Asked whether Johnson would be in uniform Tuesday night, Black said: “I’ll have to refer you to Mr. Johnson. It’s his decision whether he comes back. We can’t speak for him.”

The Los Angeles Times, citing unidentified sources, reported Saturday that Johnson had agreed in principle to a contract that would pay him $2.5 million for the rest of the season.