Magic Johnson vs. Nate Thurmond Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Nate Thurmond 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

NBA Timeline:
1946-47
2023-24
Magic Johnson:
1979-80 to 1995-96
Nate Thurmond:
1963-64 to 1976-77

NBA Championships and Seasons

Magic Johnson5
Nate Thurmond0
Magic Johnson13
Nate Thurmond14
Magic Johnson13
Nate Thurmond9
Magic Johnson12
Nate Thurmond7

Honors and Awards

Magic Johnson3
Nate Thurmond0
Magic Johnson3
Nate Thurmond0
*
Magic Johnson9
Nate Thurmond0
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Magic Johnson10
Nate Thurmond0
Magic Johnson0
Nate Thurmond2
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Magic Johnson0
Nate Thurmond5
Magic Johnson4
Nate Thurmond0
Magic Johnson2
Nate Thurmond0
*
* 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

Magic Johnson 19.5
Nate Thurmond 15.0

Magic Johnson 7.2
Nate Thurmond 15.0

Magic Johnson 11.2
Nate Thurmond 2.7

Magic Johnson 1.9
Nate Thurmond 0.5

*
Magic Johnson 0.4
Nate Thurmond 2.1

*

Totals Stats

Magic Johnson 17,707
Nate Thurmond 14,437

Magic Johnson 6,559
Nate Thurmond 14,464

Magic Johnson 10,141
Nate Thurmond 2,575

Magic Johnson 1,724
Nate Thurmond 125

*
Magic Johnson 374
Nate Thurmond 553

*
Magic Johnson 906
Nate Thurmond 964

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Magic Johnson .520
Nate Thurmond .421

3-Point Percentage
Magic Johnson .303
Nate Thurmond -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Magic Johnson .848
Nate Thurmond .667

Best Season (no game minimum)

Magic Johnson 23.9
(1987)
Nate Thurmond 21.9
(1970)

Magic Johnson 9.6
(1982)
Nate Thurmond 22.0
(1968)

Magic Johnson 13.1
(1984)
Nate Thurmond 4.2
(1968)

Magic Johnson 3.4
(1981)
Nate Thurmond 0.7
(1974)

*
Magic Johnson 0.7
(1984)
Nate Thurmond 2.9
(1974)

*

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Magic Johnson 19.5
Nate Thurmond 11.9

Magic Johnson 7.7
Nate Thurmond 13.6

Magic Johnson 12.3
Nate Thurmond 2.8

Magic Johnson 1.9
Nate Thurmond 0.4

*
Magic Johnson 0.3
Nate Thurmond 1.9

*

Totals Stats

Magic Johnson 3,701
Nate Thurmond 966

Magic Johnson 1,465
Nate Thurmond 1,101

Magic Johnson 2,346
Nate Thurmond 225

Magic Johnson 358
Nate Thurmond 11

*
Magic Johnson 64
Nate Thurmond 51

*
Magic Johnson 190
Nate Thurmond 81

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Magic Johnson .506
Nate Thurmond .416

3-Point Percentage
Magic Johnson .241
Nate Thurmond -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Magic Johnson .838
Nate Thurmond .621

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Magic Johnson 25.2
(1990)
Nate Thurmond 25.4
(1972)

Magic Johnson 13.7
(1981)
Nate Thurmond 23.1
(1967)

Magic Johnson 15.2
(1985)
Nate Thurmond 5.2
(1972)

Magic Johnson 3.1
(1980)
Nate Thurmond 0.5
(1976)

*
Magic Johnson 1.0
(1981)
Nate Thurmond 2.2
(1976)

*
Notes: * Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74. Some years in this player's career don't have stats.
** Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80, this player has no data for the stat.