Dennis Johnson vs. Nate Thurmond Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Nate Thurmond and Dennis Johnson 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

NBA Timeline:
1946-47
2023-24
Dennis Johnson:
1976-77 to 1989-90
Nate Thurmond:
1963-64 to 1976-77

NBA Championships and Seasons

Dennis Johnson3
Nate Thurmond0
Dennis Johnson14
Nate Thurmond14
Dennis Johnson13
Nate Thurmond9
Dennis Johnson5
Nate Thurmond7

Honors and Awards

Dennis Johnson1
Nate Thurmond0
*
Dennis Johnson1
Nate Thurmond0
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Dennis Johnson2
Nate Thurmond0
Dennis Johnson6
Nate Thurmond2
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Dennis Johnson9
Nate Thurmond5
* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Dennis Johnson 14.1
Nate Thurmond 15.0

Dennis Johnson 3.9
Nate Thurmond 15.0

Dennis Johnson 5.0
Nate Thurmond 2.7

Dennis Johnson 1.3
Nate Thurmond 0.5

*
Dennis Johnson 0.6
Nate Thurmond 2.1

*

Totals Stats

Dennis Johnson 15,535
Nate Thurmond 14,437

Dennis Johnson 4,249
Nate Thurmond 14,464

Dennis Johnson 5,499
Nate Thurmond 2,575

Dennis Johnson 1,477
Nate Thurmond 125

*
Dennis Johnson 675
Nate Thurmond 553

*
Dennis Johnson 1,100
Nate Thurmond 964

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Dennis Johnson .445
Nate Thurmond .421

3-Point Percentage
Dennis Johnson .172
*
Nate Thurmond -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Dennis Johnson .797
Nate Thurmond .667

Best Season (no game minimum)

Dennis Johnson 19.5
(1982)
Nate Thurmond 21.9
(1970)

Dennis Johnson 5.1
(1982)
Nate Thurmond 22.0
(1968)

Dennis Johnson 7.8
(1988)
Nate Thurmond 4.2
(1968)

Dennis Johnson 1.8
(1980)
Nate Thurmond 0.7
(1974)

*
Dennis Johnson 1.2
(1979)
Nate Thurmond 2.9
(1974)

*

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Dennis Johnson 17.3
Nate Thurmond 11.9

Dennis Johnson 4.3
Nate Thurmond 13.6

Dennis Johnson 5.6
Nate Thurmond 2.8

Dennis Johnson 1.4
Nate Thurmond 0.4

*
Dennis Johnson 0.6
Nate Thurmond 1.9

*

Totals Stats

Dennis Johnson 3,116
Nate Thurmond 966

Dennis Johnson 781
Nate Thurmond 1,101

Dennis Johnson 1,006
Nate Thurmond 225

Dennis Johnson 247
Nate Thurmond 11

*
Dennis Johnson 113
Nate Thurmond 51

*
Dennis Johnson 180
Nate Thurmond 81

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Dennis Johnson .439
Nate Thurmond .416

3-Point Percentage
Dennis Johnson .239
*
Nate Thurmond -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Dennis Johnson .802
Nate Thurmond .621

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Dennis Johnson 22.3
(1982)
Nate Thurmond 25.4
(1972)

Dennis Johnson 7.7
(1983)
Nate Thurmond 23.1
(1967)

Dennis Johnson 8.9
(1987)
Nate Thurmond 5.2
(1972)

Dennis Johnson 2.2
(1986)
Nate Thurmond 0.5
(1976)

*
Dennis Johnson 1.5
(1979)
Nate Thurmond 2.2
(1976)

*
Notes: * Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74. Some years in this player's career don't have stats.
Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80. Some years in this player's career don't have stats.
** Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80, this player has no data for the stat.