Don Nelson vs. Andrew Wiggins Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Andrew Wiggins and Don Nelson, from their rookie seasons to their last year played, in chronological order with awards, stats, championships and playoff performance of their teams every year.

Player comparisons:
Career comparison / Season by season

Who had the better rookie season? Who had best stats in their 10th season? Who won a championship first? These questions and many others, are answered here.

Don Nelson played 14 years in the NBA, 4 more than Andrew Wiggins, who played 10. Don Nelson had the first of his seasons in 1962-63, while Andrew Wiggins had his rookie season in 2014-15. With that starting point, here you can take a look at each of their seasons side by side and compare how their careers evolved in achivements, awards and championships won, the stats they recorded both in the Regular Season and the Playoffs and how their teams performed in the postseason.

Their Careers

Player
Total Seasons Playoffs Played NBA Years
Don Nelson 14 11 1962-63 to 1975-76
Andrew Wiggins 10 3 2014-15 to 2023-24

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14

Rookie Season

Don Nelson Andrew Wiggins
Season 1962-632014-15
Team Chicago ZephyrsMinnesota Timberwolves
Honors & Awards -Achievement Rookie of the Year
-Achievement All-Rookie First Team
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 62 17.3 6.8 - - 4.5 1.2 - - - 2.2 2.1 4.7 .440 - - - 2.6 3.6 .729
Andrew Wiggins 82 36.2 16.9 1.6 2.9 4.6 2.1 1.0 0.6 2.2 2.3 6.1 13.9 .437 0.5 1.5 .310 4.3 5.7 .760
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------
Andrew Wiggins ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Don Nelson Andrew Wiggins
Season 1963-642015-16
Team Los Angeles LakersMinnesota Timberwolves
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Div SemisDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 80 17.6 5.2 - - 4.0 1.0 - - - 2.3 1.7 4.0 .418 - - - 1.9 2.5 .741
Andrew Wiggins 81 35.1 20.7 1.3 2.3 3.6 2.0 1.0 0.6 2.2 2.0 7.3 16.0 .459 0.7 2.3 .300 5.3 7.0 .761
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 5 11.2 3.4 - - 2.6 0.4 - - - 2.2 1.4 2.6 .538 - - - 0.6 0.6 1.000
Andrew Wiggins ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Don Nelson Andrew Wiggins
Season 1964-652016-17
Team Los Angeles LakersMinnesota Timberwolves
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 39 6.1 2.4 - - 1.9 0.6 - - - 1.0 0.9 2.2 .424 - - - 0.5 0.7 .769
Andrew Wiggins 82 37.2 23.6 1.2 2.8 4.0 2.3 1.0 0.4 2.3 2.2 8.6 19.1 .452 1.3 3.5 .356 5.0 6.6 .760
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 11 19.3 6.1 - - 5.4 1.7 - - - 2.8 2.2 4.8 .453 - - - 1.7 2.3 .760
Andrew Wiggins ------- --- ----------

Season 4

Don Nelson Andrew Wiggins
Season 1965-662017-18
Team Boston CelticsMinnesota Timberwolves
Honors & Awards
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionTimberwolves Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 75 23.5 10.2 - - 5.4 1.1 - - - 2.5 3.6 8.2 .439 - - - 3.0 4.3 .684
Andrew Wiggins 82 36.3 17.7 1.0 3.4 4.4 2.0 1.1 0.6 1.7 2.0 6.9 15.9 .438 1.4 4.1 .331 2.5 3.8 .643
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 17 18.6 8.4 - - 5.0 0.8 - - - 2.9 2.9 6.9 .424 - - - 2.5 3.1 .808
Andrew Wiggins 5 32.8 15.8 1.0 4.2 5.2 2.0 0.4 0.4 1.8 2.8 6.0 13.6 .441 1.4 4.2 .333 2.4 4.0 .600

Season 5

Don Nelson Andrew Wiggins
Season 1966-672018-19
Team Boston CelticsMinnesota Timberwolves
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Div FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 79 15.2 7.5 - - 3.7 0.8 - - - 1.8 2.9 6.4 .446 - - - 1.8 2.4 .742
Andrew Wiggins 73 34.8 18.1 1.1 3.7 4.8 2.5 1.0 0.7 1.9 2.1 6.8 16.6 .412 1.6 4.8 .339 2.8 4.1 .699
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 9 15.8 7.1 - - 4.7 1.0 - - - 1.3 3.0 6.6 .458 - - - 1.1 1.9 .588
Andrew Wiggins ------- --- ----------

Season 6

Don Nelson Andrew Wiggins
Season 1967-682019-20
Team Boston CelticsMinnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors
Honors & Awards
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 82 18.3 10.0 - - 5.3 1.3 - - - 2.2 3.8 7.7 .494 - - - 2.4 3.3 .728
Andrew Wiggins 54 34.4 21.8 1.2 3.9 5.1 3.7 0.8 1.0 2.4 2.4 8.1 18.1 .447 2.1 6.2 .332 3.5 5.0 .709
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 19 24.6 12.5 - - 7.5 1.7 - - - 2.6 4.8 9.2 .520 - - - 2.9 3.9 .743
Andrew Wiggins ------- --- ----------

Season 7

Don Nelson Andrew Wiggins
Season 1968-692020-21
Team Boston CelticsGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 82 21.6 11.6 - - 5.6 1.1 - - - 2.4 4.6 9.4 .485 - - - 2.5 3.2 .776
Andrew Wiggins 71 33.3 18.6 1.2 3.7 4.9 2.4 0.9 1.0 1.8 2.2 7.1 14.9 .477 2.0 5.2 .380 2.4 3.4 .714
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 18 19.3 12.4 - - 4.6 1.2 - - - 2.8 4.8 9.3 .518 - - - 2.8 3.3 .833
Andrew Wiggins ------- --- ----------

Season 8

Don Nelson Andrew Wiggins
Season 1969-702021-22
Team Boston CelticsGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 82 27.1 15.4 - - 7.3 1.8 - - - 2.9 5.6 11.2 .501 - - - 4.1 5.3 .775
Andrew Wiggins 73 31.9 17.2 1.2 3.3 4.5 2.2 1.0 0.7 1.5 2.2 6.5 14.0 .466 2.2 5.5 .393 2.0 3.2 .634
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------
Andrew Wiggins 22 34.9 16.5 2.5 5.0 7.5 1.8 1.0 1.0 1.4 2.5 6.5 13.9 .469 1.6 4.8 .333 1.9 3.0 .646

Season 9

Don Nelson Andrew Wiggins
Season 1970-712022-23
Team Boston CelticsGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayWarriors Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 82 27.5 13.9 - - 6.9 1.9 - - - 2.8 5.0 10.7 .468 - - - 3.9 5.2 .744
Andrew Wiggins 37 32.2 17.1 1.6 3.4 5.0 2.3 1.2 0.8 1.3 2.9 6.8 14.3 .473 2.4 6.1 .396 1.2 1.9 .611
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson ------- --- ----------
Andrew Wiggins 13 34.0 16.7 1.8 3.8 5.6 1.9 0.8 1.2 1.3 3.5 6.4 13.9 .459 1.5 4.9 .297 2.5 3.6 .681

Season 10

Don Nelson Andrew Wiggins
Season 1971-722023-24
Team Boston CelticsGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 82 25.4 13.8 - - 5.5 2.3 - - - 2.7 4.7 9.9 .480 - - - 4.3 5.5 .788
Andrew Wiggins 71 27.0 13.2 1.5 3.0 4.5 1.7 0.6 0.6 1.2 2.1 5.0 11.0 .453 1.3 3.6 .358 2.0 2.7 .751
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 11 28.0 13.2 - - 5.5 1.9 - - - 2.7 4.7 9.0 .525 - - - 3.7 4.4 .854
Andrew Wiggins ------- --- ----------

Season 11

Don Nelson Andrew Wiggins
Season 1972-73-
Team Boston Celtics-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf Finals-
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 72 19.8 10.8 - - 4.4 1.4 - - - 2.2 4.3 9.0 .476 - - - 2.2 2.6 .846
Andrew Wiggins ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 13 23.3 11.0 - - 2.9 1.2 - - - 2.2 3.6 7.8 .465 - - - 3.8 4.3 .875
Andrew Wiggins ------- --- ----------

Season 12

Don Nelson Andrew Wiggins
Season 1973-74-
Team Boston Celtics-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA Champion-
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 82 21.3 11.5 1.1 3.1 4.2 2.0 0.2 0.2 - 2.3 4.4 8.7 .508 - - - 2.6 3.3 .788
Andrew Wiggins ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 18 25.9 11.4 1.4 4.0 5.4 1.9 0.4 0.2 - 3.0 4.6 9.1 .500 - - - 2.3 2.9 .774
Andrew Wiggins ------- --- ----------

Season 13

Don Nelson Andrew Wiggins
Season 1974-75-
Team Boston Celtics-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Celtics Lost East Conf Finals-
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 79 26.0 14.0 1.6 4.3 5.9 2.3 0.4 0.2 - 3.0 5.4 9.9 .539 - - - 3.3 4.0 .827
Andrew Wiggins ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 11 24.9 15.4 1.6 2.5 4.1 2.4 0.2 0.2 - 3.3 6.0 10.6 .564 - - - 3.4 3.7 .902
Andrew Wiggins ------- --- ----------

Season 14

Don Nelson Andrew Wiggins
Season 1975-76-
Team Boston Celtics-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA Champion-
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 75 12.6 6.4 0.7 1.7 2.4 1.0 0.2 0.1 - 1.5 2.3 5.1 .462 - - - 1.7 2.1 .789
Andrew Wiggins ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Don Nelson 18 17.5 9.1 0.9 2.0 2.9 0.9 0.2 0.1 - 2.6 2.9 6.0 .481 - - - 3.3 3.8 .870
Andrew Wiggins ------- --- ----------