HBO’s hit sports drama “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty” returned for its second season on Aug. 6. The series, which centers around the Los Angeles Lakers, chronicles the team’s Showtime era during the 1980s. It also dives into the players’s personal lives. Considering Magic Johnson led the team to victory five times during this period, it’s no surprise he’s such a prominent character on the show. The second season recaps his early days as a father as he welcomes his son, Andre Johnson. Since “Winning Time” tends to dramatize a few details, you may be wondering about Magic’s real-life kids.
It’s true that Andre is Magic’s first-born son. However, unlike the show, Andre’s real mother isn’t named Rhonda Mitchell, but Melissa Mitchell. She and Magic dated briefly and only welcomed one child together. A decade after Andre was born in 1981, Magic married his wife, Cookie Johnson, in 1991. A year later, the couple welcomed a son named EJ Johnson, and then adopted their daughter, Elisa Johnson, in 1994. Just like how Magic found his passion in sports, all three of his kids have found their own callings.
Scroll through the slideshow to learn more about Andre, EJ, and Elisa’s careers.