Magic Johnson vs. George Karl Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars George Karl and Magic Johnson 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

Magic Johnson

vs.

George Karl

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Magic Johnson: 1979-80 to 1995-96
George Karl: 1976-77 to 1977-78

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Magic Johnson 5 George Karl 0

NBA Seasons Magic Johnson 13 George Karl 2

Playoffs Played Magic Johnson 13 George Karl 1

All-Star Games Magic Johnson 12 George Karl 0

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Magic Johnson 3 George Karl 0

Finals MVP Magic Johnson 3 George Karl 0

All-NBA First Team Magic Johnson 9 George Karl 0

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Magic Johnson 10 George Karl 0

Assists Leader Magic Johnson 4 George Karl 0

Steals Leader Magic Johnson 2 George Karl 0

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 19.5 George Karl 2.6

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 7.2 George Karl 0.7

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 11.2 George Karl 1.5

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 1.9 George Karl 0.3

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 0.4 George Karl 0.0

Totals Stats

Total Points Magic Johnson 17,707 George Karl 85

Total Rebounds Magic Johnson 6,559 George Karl 22

Total Assists Magic Johnson 10,141 George Karl 51

Total Steals Magic Johnson 1,724 George Karl 11

Total Blocks Magic Johnson 374 George Karl 0

Total Games Magic Johnson 906 George Karl 33

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Magic Johnson .520 George Karl .342

3-Point Percentage Magic Johnson .303 George Karl - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Magic Johnson .848 George Karl .705

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 23.9 (1987) George Karl 2.7 (1977)

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 9.6 (1982) George Karl 1.3 (1978)

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 13.1 (1984) George Karl 1.6 (1977)

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 3.4 (1981) George Karl 0.3 (1977)

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 0.7 (1984) George Karl 0.0 (1978)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 19.5 George Karl 0.0

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 7.7 George Karl 0.0

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 12.3 George Karl 0.0

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 1.9 George Karl 0.0

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 0.3 George Karl 0.0

Totals Stats

Total Points Magic Johnson 3,701 George Karl 0

Total Rebounds Magic Johnson 1,465 George Karl 0

Total Assists Magic Johnson 2,346 George Karl 0

Total Steals Magic Johnson 358 George Karl 0

Total Blocks Magic Johnson 64 George Karl 0

Total Games Magic Johnson 190 George Karl 1

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Magic Johnson .506 George Karl -

3-Point Percentage Magic Johnson .241 George Karl - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Magic Johnson .838 George Karl -

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 25.2 (1990) George Karl 0.0 (1977)

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 13.7 (1981) George Karl 0.0 (1977)

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 15.2 (1985) George Karl 0.0 (1977)

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 3.1 (1980) George Karl 0.0 (1977)

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 1.0 (1981) George Karl 0.0 (1977)

Notes: ** Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80, this player has no data for the stat.