LeBron James vs. Karl Malone Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Karl Malone and LeBron James that includes championships won, honors and awards obtained, regular season and playoffs stats and other data put side by side.

Player comparisons: / /

Who scored more points in his career? Who averaged more points in playoffs? Who won more championships? Who led the season more times? Who won more MVP awards? These questions and many more, are answered here. It includes NBA Championships, seasons, playoffs, awards, statistical data for points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and percentages.

Head-To-Head Career Comparison

NBA Timeline:
1946-47
2023-24
LeBron James:
2003-04 to 2023-24
Karl Malone:
1985-86 to 2003-04

NBA Championships and Seasons

LeBron James4
Karl Malone0
LeBron James21
Karl Malone19
LeBron James16
Karl Malone19
LeBron James1 *
Karl Malone0
*
LeBron James20
Karl Malone14

Honors and Awards

LeBron James4
Karl Malone2
LeBron James4
Karl Malone0
LeBron James13
Karl Malone11
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
LeBron James19
Karl Malone14
LeBron James5
Karl Malone3
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
LeBron James6
Karl Malone4
LeBron James1
Karl Malone0
LeBron James1
Karl Malone0
LeBron James1
Karl Malone0
LeBron James1 *
Karl Malone0
*
LeBron James1 *
Karl Malone0
*
* Notes: In-Season Tournament (NBA Cup) played since 2023-24.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

LeBron James 27.1
Karl Malone 25.0

LeBron James 7.5
Karl Malone 10.1

LeBron James 7.4
Karl Malone 3.6

LeBron James 1.5
Karl Malone 1.4

LeBron James 0.7
Karl Malone 0.8

Totals Stats

LeBron James 40,179
Karl Malone 36,928

LeBron James 11,098
Karl Malone 14,968

LeBron James 10,905
Karl Malone 5,248

LeBron James 2,260
Karl Malone 2,085

LeBron James 1,107
Karl Malone 1,145

LeBron James 1,481
Karl Malone 1,476

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
LeBron James .506
Karl Malone .516

3-Point Percentage
LeBron James .347
Karl Malone .274

Free Throw Percentage
LeBron James .735
Karl Malone .742

Best Season (no game minimum)

LeBron James 31.4
(2006)
Karl Malone 31.0
(1990)

LeBron James 8.6
(2018)
Karl Malone 12.0
(1988)

LeBron James 10.2
(2020)
Karl Malone 4.7
(2003)

LeBron James 2.2
(2005)
Karl Malone 1.9
(2002)

LeBron James 1.1
(2009)
Karl Malone 1.5
(1994)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

LeBron James 28.5
Karl Malone 24.7

LeBron James 9.0
Karl Malone 10.7

LeBron James 7.2
Karl Malone 3.2

LeBron James 1.7
Karl Malone 1.3

LeBron James 1.0
Karl Malone 0.7

Totals Stats

LeBron James 8,023
Karl Malone 4,761

LeBron James 2,549
Karl Malone 2,062

LeBron James 2,023
Karl Malone 610

LeBron James 471
Karl Malone 258

LeBron James 270
Karl Malone 135

LeBron James 282
Karl Malone 193

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
LeBron James .495
Karl Malone .463

3-Point Percentage
LeBron James .331
Karl Malone .162

Free Throw Percentage
LeBron James .741
Karl Malone .736

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

LeBron James 35.3
(2009)
Karl Malone 30.7
(1989)

LeBron James 11.3
(2015)
Karl Malone 16.3
(1989)

LeBron James 9.0
(2018)
Karl Malone 4.7
(1999)

LeBron James 2.3
(2016)
Karl Malone 2.2
(1990)

LeBron James 1.8
(2010)
Karl Malone 1.2
(1991)