Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Magic Johnson and Larry Bird that includes championships won, honors and awards obtained, regular season and playoffs stats and other data put side by side.

Player comparisons: / /

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
Larry Bird:
1979-80 to 1991-92
Magic Johnson:
1979-80 to 1995-96

NBA Championships and Seasons

Larry Bird3
Magic Johnson5
Larry Bird13
Magic Johnson13
Larry Bird12
Magic Johnson13
Larry Bird12
Magic Johnson12

Honors and Awards

Larry Bird3
Magic Johnson3
Larry Bird2
Magic Johnson3
Larry Bird9
Magic Johnson9
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Larry Bird10
Magic Johnson10
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Larry Bird3
Magic Johnson0
Larry Bird0
Magic Johnson4
Larry Bird0
Magic Johnson2
Larry Bird1
Magic Johnson0

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Larry Bird 24.3
Magic Johnson 19.5

Larry Bird 10.0
Magic Johnson 7.2

Larry Bird 6.3
Magic Johnson 11.2

Larry Bird 1.7
Magic Johnson 1.9

Larry Bird 0.8
Magic Johnson 0.4

Totals Stats

Larry Bird 21,791
Magic Johnson 17,707

Larry Bird 8,974
Magic Johnson 6,559

Larry Bird 5,695
Magic Johnson 10,141

Larry Bird 1,556
Magic Johnson 1,724

Larry Bird 755
Magic Johnson 374

Larry Bird 897
Magic Johnson 906

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Larry Bird .496
Magic Johnson .520

3-Point Percentage
Larry Bird .376
Magic Johnson .303

Free Throw Percentage
Larry Bird .886
Magic Johnson .848

Best Season (no game minimum)

Larry Bird 29.9
(1988)
Magic Johnson 23.9
(1987)

Larry Bird 11.0
(1983)
Magic Johnson 9.6
(1982)

Larry Bird 7.6
(1987)
Magic Johnson 13.1
(1984)

Larry Bird 2.0
(1986)
Magic Johnson 3.4
(1981)

Larry Bird 1.2
(1985)
Magic Johnson 0.7
(1984)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Larry Bird 23.8
Magic Johnson 19.5

Larry Bird 10.3
Magic Johnson 7.7

Larry Bird 6.5
Magic Johnson 12.3

Larry Bird 1.8
Magic Johnson 1.9

Larry Bird 0.9
Magic Johnson 0.3

Totals Stats

Larry Bird 3,897
Magic Johnson 3,701

Larry Bird 1,683
Magic Johnson 1,465

Larry Bird 1,062
Magic Johnson 2,346

Larry Bird 296
Magic Johnson 358

Larry Bird 145
Magic Johnson 64

Larry Bird 164
Magic Johnson 190

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Larry Bird .472
Magic Johnson .506

3-Point Percentage
Larry Bird .321
Magic Johnson .241

Free Throw Percentage
Larry Bird .890
Magic Johnson .838

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Larry Bird 27.5
(1984)
Magic Johnson 25.2
(1990)

Larry Bird 14.0
(1981)
Magic Johnson 13.7
(1981)

Larry Bird 8.8
(1990)
Magic Johnson 15.2
(1985)

Larry Bird 2.3
(1984)
Magic Johnson 3.1
(1980)

Larry Bird 1.4
(1982)
Magic Johnson 1.0
(1981)