Julius Erving vs. Magic Johnson Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Magic Johnson and Julius Erving 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
Julius Erving:
1976-77 to 1986-87
Magic Johnson:
1979-80 to 1995-96

NBA Championships and Seasons

Julius Erving1
Magic Johnson5
Julius Erving11
Magic Johnson13
Julius Erving11
Magic Johnson13
Julius Erving11
Magic Johnson12

Honors and Awards

Julius Erving1
Magic Johnson3
Julius Erving0
Magic Johnson3
Julius Erving5
Magic Johnson9
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Julius Erving7
Magic Johnson10
Julius Erving0
Magic Johnson4
Julius Erving0
Magic Johnson2

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Julius Erving 22.0
Magic Johnson 19.5

Julius Erving 6.7
Magic Johnson 7.2

Julius Erving 3.9
Magic Johnson 11.2

Julius Erving 1.8
Magic Johnson 1.9

Julius Erving 1.5
Magic Johnson 0.4

Totals Stats

Julius Erving 18,364
Magic Johnson 17,707

Julius Erving 5,601
Magic Johnson 6,559

Julius Erving 3,224
Magic Johnson 10,141

Julius Erving 1,508
Magic Johnson 1,724

Julius Erving 1,293
Magic Johnson 374

Julius Erving 836
Magic Johnson 906

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Julius Erving .507
Magic Johnson .520

3-Point Percentage
Julius Erving .261
*
Magic Johnson .303

Free Throw Percentage
Julius Erving .777
Magic Johnson .848

Best Season (no game minimum)

Julius Erving 26.9
(1980)
Magic Johnson 23.9
(1987)

Julius Erving 8.5
(1977)
Magic Johnson 9.6
(1982)

Julius Erving 4.6
(1979)
Magic Johnson 13.1
(1984)

Julius Erving 2.2
(1980)
Magic Johnson 3.4
(1981)

Julius Erving 1.8
(1983)
Magic Johnson 0.7
(1984)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Julius Erving 21.9
Magic Johnson 19.5

Julius Erving 7.0
Magic Johnson 7.7

Julius Erving 4.2
Magic Johnson 12.3

Julius Erving 1.7
Magic Johnson 1.9

Julius Erving 1.7
Magic Johnson 0.3

Totals Stats

Julius Erving 3,088
Magic Johnson 3,701

Julius Erving 994
Magic Johnson 1,465

Julius Erving 594
Magic Johnson 2,346

Julius Erving 235
Magic Johnson 358

Julius Erving 239
Magic Johnson 64

Julius Erving 141
Magic Johnson 190

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Julius Erving .486
Magic Johnson .506

3-Point Percentage
Julius Erving .194
*
Magic Johnson .241

Free Throw Percentage
Julius Erving .779
Magic Johnson .838

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Julius Erving 27.3
(1977)
Magic Johnson 25.2
(1990)

Julius Erving 9.7
(1978)
Magic Johnson 13.7
(1981)

Julius Erving 5.9
(1979)
Magic Johnson 15.2
(1985)

Julius Erving 2.2
(1977)
Magic Johnson 3.1
(1980)

Julius Erving 2.6
(1981)
Magic Johnson 1.0
(1981)

Notes: * Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80. Some years in this player's career don't have stats.