Magic Johnson vs Isiah Thomas
Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas were contemporaries, their careers overlapping for 13 seasons. On the floor, Magic Johnson was the higher-volume scorer (19.6 points per game to 19.2); Magic Johnson was the more efficient scorer (61.0% true shooting to 51.6%); Magic Johnson created more for others (11.2 assists per game to 9.3). Magic Johnson holds the edge on accolades — 3 MVPs, 5 championships, 3 Finals MVPs and the #7 all-time ranking to Isiah Thomas's #36.
Career averages
| Magic Johnson | Stat | Isiah Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| 19.6 | Points / game | 19.2 |
| 7.2 | Rebounds / game | 3.6 |
| 11.2 | Assists / game | 9.3 |
| 1.9 | Steals / game | 1.9 |
| 0.4 | Blocks / game | 0.3 |
| 52.0% | Field goal % | 45.2% |
| 22.9% | 3-point % | 29.0% |
| 84.3% | Free throw % | 75.9% |
| 61.0% | True shooting % | 51.6% |
| 906 | Games played | 979 |
Advanced metrics
Advanced stats weren't tracked in Magic Johnson's era.
Advanced stats weren't tracked in Isiah Thomas's era.
Playoff averages
| Magic Johnson | Stat | Isiah Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| 19.5 | Points / game | 20.4 |
| 7.7 | Rebounds / game | 4.7 |
| 12.3 | Assists / game | 8.9 |
| 1.9 | Steals / game | 2.1 |
| 0.3 | Blocks / game | 0.3 |
| 50.6% | Field goal % | 43.8% |
| 18.5% | 3-point % | 32.3% |
| 83.6% | Free throw % | 77.0% |
| 190 | Playoff games | 111 |
Accolades
| Magic Johnson | Stat | Isiah Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | MVP awards | 0 |
| 3 | Finals MVP | 1 |
| 5 | Championships | 2 |
| 11 | All-Star selections | 11 |
| 9 | All-NBA 1st Team | 3 |
| #7 | All-time GOAT rank | #36 |
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