Magic Johnson vs. Mel Thurston Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Mel Thurston 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.

Mel Thurston

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Magic Johnson: 1979-80 to 1995-96
Mel Thurston: 1947-48 to 1947-48

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Magic Johnson 5 Mel Thurston 0

NBA Seasons Magic Johnson 13 Mel Thurston 1

Playoffs Played Magic Johnson 13 Mel Thurston 0

All-Star Games Magic Johnson 12 Mel Thurston 0

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Magic Johnson 3 Mel Thurston 0 *

Finals MVP Magic Johnson 3 Mel Thurston 0 *

All-NBA First Team Magic Johnson 9 Mel Thurston 0

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Magic Johnson 10 Mel Thurston 0

Assists Leader Magic Johnson 4 Mel Thurston 0

Steals Leader Magic Johnson 2 Mel Thurston 0 *

* Notes: Season MVP is awarded since 1955-56. 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 Mel Thurston 5.6

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 7.2 Mel Thurston - n/a **

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 11.2 Mel Thurston 0.3

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 1.9 Mel Thurston - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 0.4 Mel Thurston - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Magic Johnson 17,707 Mel Thurston 78

Total Rebounds Magic Johnson 6,559 Mel Thurston - n/a **

Total Assists Magic Johnson 10,141 Mel Thurston 4

Total Steals Magic Johnson 1,724 Mel Thurston - n/a **

Total Blocks Magic Johnson 374 Mel Thurston - n/a **

Total Games Magic Johnson 906 Mel Thurston 14

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Magic Johnson .520 Mel Thurston .283

3-Point Percentage Magic Johnson .303 Mel Thurston - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Magic Johnson .848 Mel Thurston .500

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 23.9 (1987) Mel Thurston 5.6 (1948)

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 9.6 (1982) Mel Thurston - n/a **

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 13.1 (1984) Mel Thurston 0.3 (1948)

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 3.4 (1981) Mel Thurston - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 0.7 (1984) Mel Thurston - n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 19.5 Mel Thurston -

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 7.7 Mel Thurston - n/a **

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 12.3 Mel Thurston -

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 1.9 Mel Thurston - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 0.3 Mel Thurston - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Magic Johnson 3,701 Mel Thurston -

Total Rebounds Magic Johnson 1,465 Mel Thurston - n/a **

Total Assists Magic Johnson 2,346 Mel Thurston -

Total Steals Magic Johnson 358 Mel Thurston - n/a **

Total Blocks Magic Johnson 64 Mel Thurston - n/a **

Total Games Magic Johnson 190 Mel Thurston 0

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Magic Johnson .506 Mel Thurston -

3-Point Percentage Magic Johnson .241 Mel Thurston - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Magic Johnson .838 Mel Thurston -

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Magic Johnson 25.2 (1990) Mel Thurston -

Rebounds Per Game Magic Johnson 13.7 (1981) Mel Thurston - n/a **

Assists Per Game Magic Johnson 15.2 (1985) Mel Thurston -

Steals Per Game Magic Johnson 3.1 (1980) Mel Thurston - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Magic Johnson 1.0 (1981) Mel Thurston - 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. Rebounds started to be recorded in 1950-51, this player has no data for the stat.