Magic Johnson vs. Gary Payton Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Gary Payton and Magic Johnson 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
Magic Johnson:
1979-80 to 1995-96
Gary Payton:
1990-91 to 2006-07

NBA Championships and Seasons

Magic Johnson5
Gary Payton1
Magic Johnson13
Gary Payton17
Magic Johnson13
Gary Payton15
Magic Johnson12
Gary Payton9

Honors and Awards

Magic Johnson3
Gary Payton0
Magic Johnson3
Gary Payton0
Magic Johnson9
Gary Payton2
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Magic Johnson10
Gary Payton9
Magic Johnson0
Gary Payton9
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Magic Johnson0
Gary Payton9
Magic Johnson0 *
Gary Payton1
Magic Johnson4
Gary Payton0
Magic Johnson2
Gary Payton1
* Notes: Defensive Player of The Year is awarded since 1982-83.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Magic Johnson 19.5
Gary Payton 16.3

Magic Johnson 7.2
Gary Payton 3.9

Magic Johnson 11.2
Gary Payton 6.7

Magic Johnson 1.9
Gary Payton 1.8

Magic Johnson 0.4
Gary Payton 0.2

Totals Stats

Magic Johnson 17,707
Gary Payton 21,813

Magic Johnson 6,559
Gary Payton 5,269

Magic Johnson 10,141
Gary Payton 8,966

Magic Johnson 1,724
Gary Payton 2,445

Magic Johnson 374
Gary Payton 285

Magic Johnson 906
Gary Payton 1,335

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Magic Johnson .520
Gary Payton .466

3-Point Percentage
Magic Johnson .303
Gary Payton .317

Free Throw Percentage
Magic Johnson .848
Gary Payton .729

Best Season (no game minimum)

Magic Johnson 23.9
(1987)
Gary Payton 24.2
(2000)

Magic Johnson 9.6
(1982)
Gary Payton 6.5
(2000)

Magic Johnson 13.1
(1984)
Gary Payton 9.0
(2002)

Magic Johnson 3.4
(1981)
Gary Payton 2.9
(1996)

Magic Johnson 0.7
(1984)
Gary Payton 0.3
(2001)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Magic Johnson 19.5
Gary Payton 14.0

Magic Johnson 7.7
Gary Payton 3.7

Magic Johnson 12.3
Gary Payton 5.3

Magic Johnson 1.9
Gary Payton 1.4

Magic Johnson 0.3
Gary Payton 0.2

Totals Stats

Magic Johnson 3,701
Gary Payton 2,155

Magic Johnson 1,465
Gary Payton 575

Magic Johnson 2,346
Gary Payton 811

Magic Johnson 358
Gary Payton 216

Magic Johnson 64
Gary Payton 32

Magic Johnson 190
Gary Payton 154

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Magic Johnson .506
Gary Payton .441

3-Point Percentage
Magic Johnson .241
Gary Payton .315

Free Throw Percentage
Magic Johnson .838
Gary Payton .706

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Magic Johnson 25.2
(1990)
Gary Payton 25.8
(2000)

Magic Johnson 13.7
(1981)
Gary Payton 8.6
(2002)

Magic Johnson 15.2
(1985)
Gary Payton 8.7
(2003)

Magic Johnson 3.1
(1980)
Gary Payton 2.2
(1997)

Magic Johnson 1.0
(1981)
Gary Payton 0.4
(2002)