Nikola Jokic vs. Bill Russell Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Bill Russell and Nikola Jokic 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 2025-26
Nikola Jokic: 2015-16 to 2024-25
Bill Russell: 1956-57 to 1968-69

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Nikola Jokic 1 Bill Russell 11

NBA Seasons Nikola Jokic 10 Bill Russell 13

Playoffs Played Nikola Jokic 7 Bill Russell 13

All-Star Games Nikola Jokic 7 Bill Russell 12

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Nikola Jokic 3 Bill Russell 5

Finals MVP Nikola Jokic 1 Bill Russell 0 *

All-NBA First Team Nikola Jokic 5 Bill Russell 3

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Nikola Jokic 7 Bill Russell 11

All-Defensive 1st Team Nikola Jokic 0 Bill Russell 1 *

All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) Nikola Jokic 0 Bill Russell 1

Rebounds Leader Nikola Jokic 0 Bill Russell 4

* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Nikola Jokic 21.8 Bill Russell 15.1

Rebounds Per Game Nikola Jokic 10.9 Bill Russell 22.5

Assists Per Game Nikola Jokic 7.2 Bill Russell 4.3

Steals Per Game Nikola Jokic 1.3 Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Nikola Jokic 0.7 Bill Russell - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Nikola Jokic 16,210 Bill Russell 14,522

Total Rebounds Nikola Jokic 8,141 Bill Russell 21,620

Total Assists Nikola Jokic 5,383 Bill Russell 4,100

Total Steals Nikola Jokic 949 Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Blocks Nikola Jokic 536 Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Games Nikola Jokic 745 Bill Russell 963

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Nikola Jokic .560 Bill Russell .440

3-Point Percentage Nikola Jokic .360 Bill Russell - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Nikola Jokic .824 Bill Russell .561

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Nikola Jokic 29.6 (2025) Bill Russell 18.9 (1962)

Rebounds Per Game Nikola Jokic 13.8 (2022) Bill Russell 24.7 (1964)

Assists Per Game Nikola Jokic 10.2 (2025) Bill Russell 5.8 (1967)

Steals Per Game Nikola Jokic 1.8 (2025) Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Nikola Jokic 0.9 (2024) Bill Russell - n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Nikola Jokic 27.4 Bill Russell 16.2

Rebounds Per Game Nikola Jokic 12.3 Bill Russell 24.9

Assists Per Game Nikola Jokic 7.6 Bill Russell 4.7

Steals Per Game Nikola Jokic 1.2 Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Nikola Jokic 0.9 Bill Russell - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Nikola Jokic 2,580 Bill Russell 2,673

Total Rebounds Nikola Jokic 1,159 Bill Russell 4,104

Total Assists Nikola Jokic 712 Bill Russell 770

Total Steals Nikola Jokic 116 Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Blocks Nikola Jokic 82 Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Games Nikola Jokic 94 Bill Russell 165

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Nikola Jokic .525 Bill Russell .430

3-Point Percentage Nikola Jokic .388 Bill Russell - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Nikola Jokic .826 Bill Russell .603

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Nikola Jokic 31.0 (2022) Bill Russell 22.4 (1962)

Rebounds Per Game Nikola Jokic 13.5 (2023) Bill Russell 29.9 (1961)

Assists Per Game Nikola Jokic 9.5 (2023) Bill Russell 6.3 (1965)

Steals Per Game Nikola Jokic 2.0 (2025) Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Nikola Jokic 1.0 (2023) Bill Russell - 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.