Danny Ainge vs. Bill Russell Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Bill Russell and Danny Ainge that includes championships won, honors and awards obtained, regular season and playoffs stats and other data put side by side.

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

Danny Ainge

vs.

Bill Russell

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Danny Ainge: 1981-82 to 1994-95
Bill Russell: 1956-57 to 1968-69

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Danny Ainge 2 Bill Russell 11

NBA Seasons Danny Ainge 14 Bill Russell 13

Playoffs Played Danny Ainge 12 Bill Russell 13

All-Star Games Danny Ainge 1 Bill Russell 12

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Danny Ainge 0 Bill Russell 5

All-NBA First Team Danny Ainge 0 Bill Russell 3

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Danny Ainge 0 Bill Russell 11

All-Defensive 1st Team Danny Ainge 0 Bill Russell 1 *

All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) Danny Ainge 0 Bill Russell 1

Rebounds Leader Danny Ainge 0 Bill Russell 4

* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Danny Ainge 11.5 Bill Russell 15.1

Rebounds Per Game Danny Ainge 2.7 Bill Russell 22.5

Assists Per Game Danny Ainge 4.0 Bill Russell 4.3

Steals Per Game Danny Ainge 1.1 Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Danny Ainge 0.1 Bill Russell - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Danny Ainge 11,964 Bill Russell 14,522

Total Rebounds Danny Ainge 2,768 Bill Russell 21,620

Total Assists Danny Ainge 4,199 Bill Russell 4,100

Total Steals Danny Ainge 1,133 Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Blocks Danny Ainge 132 Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Games Danny Ainge 1,042 Bill Russell 963

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Danny Ainge .469 Bill Russell .440

3-Point Percentage Danny Ainge .378 Bill Russell - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Danny Ainge .846 Bill Russell .561

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Danny Ainge 17.9 (1990) Bill Russell 18.9 (1962)

Rebounds Per Game Danny Ainge 4.3 (1990) Bill Russell 24.7 (1964)

Assists Per Game Danny Ainge 6.2 (1988) Bill Russell 5.8 (1967)

Steals Per Game Danny Ainge 1.6 (1985) Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Danny Ainge 0.2 (1990) Bill Russell - n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Danny Ainge 9.9 Bill Russell 16.2

Rebounds Per Game Danny Ainge 2.3 Bill Russell 24.9

Assists Per Game Danny Ainge 3.4 Bill Russell 4.7

Steals Per Game Danny Ainge 0.9 Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Danny Ainge 0.1 Bill Russell - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Danny Ainge 1,902 Bill Russell 2,673

Total Rebounds Danny Ainge 443 Bill Russell 4,104

Total Assists Danny Ainge 656 Bill Russell 770

Total Steals Danny Ainge 172 Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Blocks Danny Ainge 19 Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Games Danny Ainge 193 Bill Russell 165

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Danny Ainge .456 Bill Russell .430

3-Point Percentage Danny Ainge .397 Bill Russell - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Danny Ainge .829 Bill Russell .603

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Danny Ainge 15.6 (1986) Bill Russell 22.4 (1962)

Rebounds Per Game Danny Ainge 4.2 (1986) Bill Russell 29.9 (1961)

Assists Per Game Danny Ainge 6.4 (1988) Bill Russell 6.3 (1965)

Steals Per Game Danny Ainge 2.3 (1986) Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Danny Ainge 0.3 (1991) Bill Russell - n/a **

Notes: ** Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74, this player has no data for the stat. Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80, this player has no data for the stat.