Magic Johnson vs. Willis Reed Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Willis Reed 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
Willis Reed:
1964-65 to 1973-74

NBA Championships and Seasons

Magic Johnson5
Willis Reed2
Magic Johnson13
Willis Reed10
Magic Johnson13
Willis Reed7
Magic Johnson12
Willis Reed7

Honors and Awards

Magic Johnson3
Willis Reed1
Magic Johnson3
Willis Reed2
*
Magic Johnson9
Willis Reed1
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Magic Johnson10
Willis Reed5
Magic Johnson0
Willis Reed1
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Magic Johnson0
Willis Reed1
Magic Johnson4
Willis Reed0
Magic Johnson2
Willis Reed0
*
Magic Johnson0
Willis Reed1
* 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
Willis Reed 18.7

Magic Johnson 7.2
Willis Reed 12.9

Magic Johnson 11.2
Willis Reed 1.8

Magic Johnson 1.9
Willis Reed 0.6

*
Magic Johnson 0.4
Willis Reed 1.1

*

Totals Stats

Magic Johnson 17,707
Willis Reed 12,183

Magic Johnson 6,559
Willis Reed 8,414

Magic Johnson 10,141
Willis Reed 1,186

Magic Johnson 1,724
Willis Reed 12

*
Magic Johnson 374
Willis Reed 21

*
Magic Johnson 906
Willis Reed 650

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Magic Johnson .520
Willis Reed .476

3-Point Percentage
Magic Johnson .303
Willis Reed -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Magic Johnson .848
Willis Reed .747

Best Season (no game minimum)

Magic Johnson 23.9
(1987)
Willis Reed 21.7
(1970)

Magic Johnson 9.6
(1982)
Willis Reed 14.7
(1965)

Magic Johnson 13.1
(1984)
Willis Reed 2.3
(1969)

Magic Johnson 3.4
(1981)
Willis Reed 0.6
(1974)

*
Magic Johnson 0.7
(1984)
Willis Reed 1.1
(1974)

*

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Magic Johnson 19.5
Willis Reed 17.4

Magic Johnson 7.7
Willis Reed 10.3

Magic Johnson 12.3
Willis Reed 1.9

Magic Johnson 1.9
Willis Reed 0.2

*
Magic Johnson 0.3
Willis Reed 0.0

*

Totals Stats

Magic Johnson 3,701
Willis Reed 1,358

Magic Johnson 1,465
Willis Reed 801

Magic Johnson 2,346
Willis Reed 149

Magic Johnson 358
Willis Reed 2

*
Magic Johnson 64
Willis Reed 0

*
Magic Johnson 190
Willis Reed 78

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Magic Johnson .506
Willis Reed .474

3-Point Percentage
Magic Johnson .241
Willis Reed -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Magic Johnson .838
Willis Reed .765

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Magic Johnson 25.2
(1990)
Willis Reed 27.5
(1967)

Magic Johnson 13.7
(1981)
Willis Reed 14.1
(1969)

Magic Johnson 15.2
(1985)
Willis Reed 2.8
(1970)

Magic Johnson 3.1
(1980)
Willis Reed 0.2
(1974)

*
Magic Johnson 1.0
(1981)
Willis Reed 0.0
(1974)

*
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.