Karl Malone vs Isiah Thomas
Karl Malone and Isiah Thomas were contemporaries, their careers overlapping for 9 seasons. On the floor, Karl Malone was the higher-volume scorer (25.0 points per game to 19.2); Karl Malone was the more efficient scorer (57.7% true shooting to 51.6%); Isiah Thomas created more for others (9.3 assists per game to 3.6). Karl Malone holds the edge on accolades — 2 MVPs and the #14 all-time ranking to Isiah Thomas's #36.
Career averages
| Karl Malone | Stat | Isiah Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| 25.0 | Points / game | 19.2 |
| 10.1 | Rebounds / game | 3.6 |
| 3.6 | Assists / game | 9.3 |
| 1.4 | Steals / game | 1.9 |
| 0.8 | Blocks / game | 0.3 |
| 51.4% | Field goal % | 45.2% |
| 21.1% | 3-point % | 29.0% |
| 73.3% | Free throw % | 75.9% |
| 57.7% | True shooting % | 51.6% |
| 1,476 | Games played | 979 |
Advanced metrics
Advanced stats aren't available for Karl Malone.
Advanced stats weren't tracked in Isiah Thomas's era.
Playoff averages
| Karl Malone | Stat | Isiah Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| 24.7 | Points / game | 20.4 |
| 10.7 | Rebounds / game | 4.7 |
| 3.2 | Assists / game | 8.9 |
| 1.3 | Steals / game | 2.1 |
| 0.7 | Blocks / game | 0.3 |
| 46.2% | Field goal % | 43.8% |
| 13.7% | 3-point % | 32.3% |
| 72.7% | Free throw % | 77.0% |
| 193 | Playoff games | 111 |
Accolades
| Karl Malone | Stat | Isiah Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | MVP awards | 0 |
| 0 | Finals MVP | 1 |
| 0 | Championships | 2 |
| 12 | All-Star selections | 11 |
| 11 | All-NBA 1st Team | 3 |
| #14 | All-time GOAT rank | #36 |
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