Joel Embiid vs. Zion Williamson Season by Season Comparison
Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Zion Williamson and Joel Embiid, 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 / Scoring / Stats / Stats Rankings / Games against each other
Career comparison / Season by season / Scoring / Stats / Stats Rankings / Games against each other
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.
Joel Embiid played 10 years in the NBA, 4 more than Zion Williamson, who played 6. Joel Embiid had the first of his seasons in 2016-17, while Zion Williamson had his rookie season in 2019-20. 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 achievements, 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 |
| Joel Embiid | 10 | 7 | 2016-17 to 2025-26 |
| Zion Williamson | 6 | 0 | 2019-20 to 2025-26 |
Rookie Season |
||
| Joel Embiid | Zion Williamson | |
| Season | 2016-17 | 2019-20 |
| Team | Philadelphia 76ers | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Honors & Awards |  All-Rookie First Team | All-Rookie First Team |
| Playoffs | Did Not Play | Did Not Play |
more >>
Rookie Season Stats Comparison | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
| G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
| Joel Embiid | 31 | 25.4 | 20.2 | 2.0 | 5.9 | 7.8 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 2.5 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 6.5 | 13.8 | .466 | 1.2 | 3.2 | .367 | 6.2 | 7.9 | .783 |
| difference: | +7 | +2.4 | +2.3 | +0.7 | +2.3 | +1.5 | +0.2 | +2.1 | -1.3 | -1.8 | +2.3 | +1.2 | +.117 | +0.9 | +2.6 | +.062 | +1.4 | +0.5 | +.143 | |
| Zion Williamson | 24 | 27.8 | 22.5 | 2.7 | 3.6 | 6.3 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 8.8 | 15.0 | .583 | 0.3 | 0.6 | .429 | 4.8 | 7.4 | .640 |
| Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
| * Neiher Joel Embiid nor Zion Williamson played in the postseason in their season 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Season 2 |
||
| Joel Embiid | Zion Williamson | |
| Season | 2017-18 | 2020-21 |
| Team | Philadelphia 76ers | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Honors & Awards | All-NBA Second Team | - |
| All-Defensive Second Team | - | |
| All-Star Game | All-Star Game | |
| Playoffs | 76ers Lost East Conf Semis | Did Not Play |
more >>
2nd Season Stats Comparison | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
| G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
| Joel Embiid | 63 | 30.3 | 22.9 | 2.3 | 8.7 | 11.0 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 8.1 | 16.8 | .483 | 1.0 | 3.4 | .308 | 5.7 | 7.4 | .769 |
| difference: | +2 | +2.9 | +4.1 | +0.4 | +4.2 | +3.8 | +0.5 | +0.3 | +1.2 | -1.0 | -1.1 | +2.3 | +0.2 | +.128 | +0.8 | +2.8 | +.014 | +0.3 | +1.3 | +.071 |
| Zion Williamson | 61 | 33.2 | 27.0 | 2.7 | 4.5 | 7.2 | 3.7 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 10.4 | 17.0 | .611 | 0.2 | 0.6 | .294 | 6.0 | 8.7 | .698 |
| Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
| G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
| Joel Embiid | 8 | 34.8 | 21.4 | 2.9 | 9.8 | 12.6 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 1.8 | 3.6 | 3.9 | 7.5 | 17.3 | .435 | 1.0 | 3.6 | .276 | 5.4 | 7.6 | .705 |
| Zion Williamson | DNP | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Note: Zion Williamson didn't play in 2021-22.
Season 3 |
||
| Joel Embiid | Zion Williamson | |
| Season | 2018-19 | 2022-23 |
| Team | Philadelphia 76ers | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Honors & Awards | All-NBA Second Team | - |
| All-Defensive Second Team | - | |
| All-Star Game | All-Star Game | |
| Playoffs | 76ers Lost East Conf Semis | Did Not Play |
more >>
3rd Season Stats Comparison | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
| G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
| Joel Embiid | 64 | 33.7 | 27.5 | 2.5 | 11.1 | 13.6 | 3.7 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 9.1 | 18.7 | .484 | 1.2 | 4.1 | .300 | 8.2 | 10.1 | .804 |
| difference: | +35 | +0.7 | +1.5 | +0.5 | +6.1 | +6.6 | +0.9 | +0.4 | +1.3 | -0.1 | -1.1 | +0.7 | +2.5 | +.124 | +1.0 | +3.4 | +.068 | +2.1 | +1.5 | +.090 |
| Zion Williamson | 29 | 33.0 | 26.0 | 2.0 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 4.6 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 3.4 | 2.2 | 9.8 | 16.2 | .608 | 0.2 | 0.7 | .368 | 6.1 | 8.6 | .714 |
| Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
| G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
| Joel Embiid | 11 | 30.4 | 20.2 | 1.9 | 8.5 | 10.5 | 3.4 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 3.6 | 3.1 | 6.2 | 14.5 | .428 | 1.1 | 3.5 | .308 | 6.7 | 8.2 | .822 |
| Zion Williamson | DNP | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Season 4 |
||
| Joel Embiid | Zion Williamson | |
| Season | 2019-20 | 2023-24 |
| Team | Philadelphia 76ers | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Honors & Awards | All-Star Game | - |
| Playoffs | 76ers Lost East Conf 1st Rd | Did Not Play |
more >>
4th Season Stats Comparison | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
| G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
| Joel Embiid | 51 | 29.5 | 23.0 | 2.8 | 8.9 | 11.6 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 3.4 | 7.5 | 15.7 | .477 | 1.1 | 3.4 | .331 | 6.9 | 8.5 | .807 |
| difference: | +19 | +2.0 | +0.1 | +1.1 | +4.8 | +5.8 | +2.0 | +0.2 | +0.6 | -0.3 | -1.1 | +1.4 | +0.1 | +.093 | +1.0 | +3.1 | +.002 | +1.9 | +1.4 | +.105 |
| Zion Williamson | 70 | 31.5 | 22.9 | 1.7 | 4.1 | 5.8 | 5.0 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 2.8 | 2.3 | 8.9 | 15.6 | .570 | 0.1 | 0.3 | .333 | 5.0 | 7.1 | .702 |
| Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
| G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
| Joel Embiid | 4 | 36.3 | 30.0 | 2.8 | 9.5 | 12.3 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 8.5 | 18.5 | .459 | 1.0 | 4.0 | .250 | 12.0 | 14.8 | .814 |
| Zion Williamson | DNP | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Season 5 |
||
| Joel Embiid | Zion Williamson | |
| Season | 2020-21 | 2024-25 |
| Team | Philadelphia 76ers | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Honors & Awards | All-NBA Second Team | - |
| All-Defensive Second Team | - | |
| All-Star Game | - | |
| Playoffs | 76ers Lost East Conf Semis | Did Not Play |
more >>
5th Season Stats Comparison | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
| G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
| Joel Embiid | 51 | 31.1 | 28.5 | 2.2 | 8.4 | 10.6 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 2.4 | 9.0 | 17.6 | .513 | 1.1 | 3.0 | .377 | 9.2 | 10.7 | .859 |
| difference: | +21 | +2.5 | +3.9 | +0.3 | +3.7 | +3.4 | +2.5 | +0.2 | +0.5 | -0.1 | -0.3 | +0.6 | +0.7 | +.054 | +1.0 | +2.6 | +.146 | +3.9 | +2.7 | +.203 |
| Zion Williamson | 30 | 28.6 | 24.6 | 2.5 | 4.7 | 7.2 | 5.3 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 9.6 | 16.9 | .567 | 0.1 | 0.4 | .231 | 5.3 | 8.0 | .656 |
| Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
| G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
| Joel Embiid | 11 | 32.5 | 28.1 | 1.5 | 9.1 | 10.5 | 3.4 | 1.0 | 1.5 | 3.8 | 3.0 | 9.2 | 17.9 | .513 | 1.5 | 3.7 | .390 | 8.3 | 9.9 | .835 |
| Zion Williamson | DNP | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Season 6 |
||
| Joel Embiid | Zion Williamson | |
| Season | 2021-22 | 2025-26 |
| Team | Philadelphia 76ers | New Orleans Pelicans |
| Honors & Awards | All-NBA Second Team | - |
| Scoring Leader | - | |
| All-Star Game | - | |
| Playoffs | 76ers Lost East Conf Semis | Did Not Play |
more >>
6th Season Stats Comparison | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Regular Season Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
| G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
| Joel Embiid | 68 | 33.8 | 30.6 | 2.1 | 9.6 | 11.7 | 4.2 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 3.1 | 2.7 | 9.8 | 19.6 | .499 | 1.4 | 3.7 | .371 | 9.6 | 11.8 | .814 |
| difference: | +58 | +2.9 | +8.5 | +0.2 | +6.3 | +6.1 | +0.2 | +0.5 | +1.0 | -0.4 | +2.4 | +5.1 | +.011 | +1.4 | +3.4 | +.371 | +2.3 | +1.7 | +.091 | |
| Zion Williamson | 10 | 30.9 | 22.1 | 2.3 | 3.3 | 5.6 | 4.0 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 3.1 | 2.3 | 7.4 | 14.5 | .510 | 0.0 | 0.3 | .000 | 7.3 | 10.1 | .723 |
| Playoffs Stats | ||||||||||||||||||||
| G | Min | Pts | ORb | DRb | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk | TO | PF | FGM / A | % | 3PM / A | % | FTM / A | % | ||||
| Joel Embiid | 10 | 38.5 | 23.6 | 2.1 | 8.6 | 10.7 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 7.8 | 16.1 | .484 | 0.7 | 3.3 | .212 | 7.3 | 8.9 | .820 |
| Zion Williamson | DNP | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Additional Years |
|
* Joel Embiid played 4 seasons more than Zion Williamson in the NBA. In that period—his seasons 7 to 10, from 2023 to 2026—Joel Embiid played in two Playoffs. In those 4 extra years over Zion Williamson, Joel Embiid got these achievements: | |
| Honors & Awards | 1 Season MVP 1 All-NBA First Team 1 Scoring Leader 2 All-Star Game |