Karl Malone vs. John Thompson Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars John Thompson and Karl Malone 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

Karl Malone

vs.

John Thompson

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Karl Malone: 1985-86 to 2003-04
John Thompson: 1964-65 to 1965-66

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Karl Malone 0 John Thompson 2

NBA Seasons Karl Malone 19 John Thompson 2

Playoffs Played Karl Malone 19 John Thompson 2

All-Star Games Karl Malone 14 John Thompson 0

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Karl Malone 2 John Thompson 0

All-NBA First Team Karl Malone 11 John Thompson 0

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Karl Malone 14 John Thompson 0

All-Defensive 1st Team Karl Malone 3 John Thompson 0 *

All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) Karl Malone 4 John Thompson 0

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

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Karl Malone 25.0 John Thompson 3.5

Rebounds Per Game Karl Malone 10.1 John Thompson 3.5

Assists Per Game Karl Malone 3.6 John Thompson 0.3

Steals Per Game Karl Malone 1.4 John Thompson - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Karl Malone 0.8 John Thompson - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Karl Malone 36,928 John Thompson 262

Total Rebounds Karl Malone 14,968 John Thompson 260

Total Assists Karl Malone 5,248 John Thompson 19

Total Steals Karl Malone 2,085 John Thompson - n/a **

Total Blocks Karl Malone 1,145 John Thompson - n/a **

Total Games Karl Malone 1,476 John Thompson 74

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Karl Malone .516 John Thompson .410

3-Point Percentage Karl Malone .274 John Thompson - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Karl Malone .742 John Thompson .595

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Karl Malone 31.0 (1990) John Thompson 3.6 (1965)

Rebounds Per Game Karl Malone 12.0 (1988) John Thompson 3.6 (1965)

Assists Per Game Karl Malone 4.7 (2003) John Thompson 0.3 (1966)

Steals Per Game Karl Malone 1.9 (2002) John Thompson - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Karl Malone 1.5 (1994) John Thompson - n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Karl Malone 24.7 John Thompson 2.2

Rebounds Per Game Karl Malone 10.7 John Thompson 2.7

Assists Per Game Karl Malone 3.2 John Thompson 0.2

Steals Per Game Karl Malone 1.3 John Thompson - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Karl Malone 0.7 John Thompson - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Karl Malone 4,761 John Thompson 13

Total Rebounds Karl Malone 2,062 John Thompson 16

Total Assists Karl Malone 610 John Thompson 1

Total Steals Karl Malone 258 John Thompson - n/a **

Total Blocks Karl Malone 135 John Thompson - n/a **

Total Games Karl Malone 193 John Thompson 6

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Karl Malone .463 John Thompson .214

3-Point Percentage Karl Malone .162 John Thompson - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Karl Malone .736 John Thompson 1.000

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Karl Malone 30.7 (1989) John Thompson 3.7 (1965)

Rebounds Per Game Karl Malone 16.3 (1989) John Thompson 4.0 (1965)

Assists Per Game Karl Malone 4.7 (1999) John Thompson 0.3 (1965)

Steals Per Game Karl Malone 2.2 (1990) John Thompson - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Karl Malone 1.2 (1991) John Thompson - 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.