James Harden vs. Yao Ming Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Yao Ming and James Harden 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 2025-26
James Harden: 2009-10 to 2024-25
Yao Ming: 2002-03 to 2010-11

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships James Harden 0 Yao Ming 0

NBA Seasons James Harden 16 Yao Ming 8

Playoffs Played James Harden 16 Yao Ming 4

All-Star Games James Harden 11 Yao Ming 8

Honors and Awards

Season MVP James Harden 1 Yao Ming 0

All-NBA First Team James Harden 6 Yao Ming 0

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) James Harden 8 Yao Ming 5

Scoring Leader James Harden 3 Yao Ming 0

Assists Leader James Harden 2 Yao Ming 0

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game James Harden 24.1 Yao Ming 19.0

Rebounds Per Game James Harden 5.6 Yao Ming 9.2

Assists Per Game James Harden 7.2 Yao Ming 1.6

Steals Per Game James Harden 1.5 Yao Ming 0.4

Blocks Per Game James Harden 0.6 Yao Ming 1.9

Totals Stats

Total Points James Harden 27,687 Yao Ming 9,247

Total Rebounds James Harden 6,473 Yao Ming 4,494

Total Assists James Harden 8,316 Yao Ming 769

Total Steals James Harden 1,715 Yao Ming 189

Total Blocks James Harden 655 Yao Ming 920

Total Games James Harden 1,151 Yao Ming 486

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage James Harden .439 Yao Ming .524

3-Point Percentage James Harden .363 Yao Ming .200

Free Throw Percentage James Harden .861 Yao Ming .833

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game James Harden 36.1 (2019) Yao Ming 25.0 (2007)

Rebounds Per Game James Harden 8.1 (2017) Yao Ming 10.8 (2008)

Assists Per Game James Harden 11.2 (2017) Yao Ming 2.3 (2008)

Steals Per Game James Harden 2.0 (2019) Yao Ming 0.5 (2006)

Blocks Per Game James Harden 0.9 (2020) Yao Ming 2.0 (2008)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game James Harden 22.5 Yao Ming 19.8

Rebounds Per Game James Harden 5.5 Yao Ming 9.3

Assists Per Game James Harden 6.5 Yao Ming 1.0

Steals Per Game James Harden 1.6 Yao Ming 0.3

Blocks Per Game James Harden 0.6 Yao Ming 1.5

Totals Stats

Total Points James Harden 3,895 Yao Ming 555

Total Rebounds James Harden 948 Yao Ming 261

Total Assists James Harden 1,125 Yao Ming 29

Total Steals James Harden 282 Yao Ming 9

Total Blocks James Harden 98 Yao Ming 42

Total Games James Harden 173 Yao Ming 28

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage James Harden .425 Yao Ming .519

3-Point Percentage James Harden .340 Yao Ming -

Free Throw Percentage James Harden .869 Yao Ming .833

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game James Harden 31.6 (2019) Yao Ming 25.1 (2007)

Rebounds Per Game James Harden 6.8 (2019) Yao Ming 10.9 (2009)

Assists Per Game James Harden 9.1 (2025) Yao Ming 1.8 (2004)

Steals Per Game James Harden 2.4 (2016) Yao Ming 0.4 (2009)

Blocks Per Game James Harden 1.0 (2025) Yao Ming 2.7 (2005)