Magic Johnson vs. John Thompson Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars John Thompson 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.

John Thompson

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Magic Johnson: 1979-80 to 1995-96
John Thompson: 1964-65 to 1965-66

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Magic Johnson 5 John Thompson 2

NBA Seasons Magic Johnson 13 John Thompson 2

Playoffs Played Magic Johnson 13 John Thompson 2

All-Star Games Magic Johnson 12 John Thompson 0

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Magic Johnson 3 John Thompson 0

Finals MVP Magic Johnson 3 John Thompson 0 *

All-NBA First Team Magic Johnson 9 John Thompson 0

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Magic Johnson 10 John Thompson 0

Assists Leader Magic Johnson 4 John Thompson 0

Steals Leader Magic Johnson 2 John Thompson 0 *

* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69. Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 19.5 John Thompson 3.5

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 7.2 John Thompson 3.5

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 11.2 John Thompson 0.3

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 1.9 John Thompson - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 0.4 John Thompson - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Magic Johnson 17,707 John Thompson 262

Total Rebounds Magic Johnson 6,559 John Thompson 260

Total Assists Magic Johnson 10,141 John Thompson 19

Total Steals Magic Johnson 1,724 John Thompson - n/a **

Total Blocks Magic Johnson 374 John Thompson - n/a **

Total Games Magic Johnson 906 John Thompson 74

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Magic Johnson .520 John Thompson .410

3-Point Percentage Magic Johnson .303 John Thompson - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Magic Johnson .848 John Thompson .595

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 23.9 (1987) John Thompson 3.6 (1965)

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 9.6 (1982) John Thompson 3.6 (1965)

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 13.1 (1984) John Thompson 0.3 (1966)

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 3.4 (1981) John Thompson - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 0.7 (1984) John Thompson - n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 19.5 John Thompson 2.2

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 7.7 John Thompson 2.7

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 12.3 John Thompson 0.2

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 1.9 John Thompson - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 0.3 John Thompson - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Magic Johnson 3,701 John Thompson 13

Total Rebounds Magic Johnson 1,465 John Thompson 16

Total Assists Magic Johnson 2,346 John Thompson 1

Total Steals Magic Johnson 358 John Thompson - n/a **

Total Blocks Magic Johnson 64 John Thompson - n/a **

Total Games Magic Johnson 190 John Thompson 6

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Magic Johnson .506 John Thompson .214

3-Point Percentage Magic Johnson .241 John Thompson - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Magic Johnson .838 John Thompson 1.000

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 25.2 (1990) John Thompson 3.7 (1965)

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 13.7 (1981) John Thompson 4.0 (1965)

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 15.2 (1985) John Thompson 0.3 (1965)

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 3.1 (1980) John Thompson - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 1.0 (1981) 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.