Jordan Clarkson vs. Magic Johnson Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Magic Johnson and Jordan Clarkson, 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

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.

Jordan Clarkson played 12 years in the NBA, 1 less than Magic Johnson, who played 13. Jordan Clarkson had the first of his seasons in 2014-15, while Magic Johnson had his rookie season in 1979-80. 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
Jordan Clarkson 12 4 2014-15 to 2025-26
Magic Johnson 13 13 1979-80 to 1995-96

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:

1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12

Rookie Season

Jordan Clarkson Magic Johnson
Season 2014-151979-80
Team Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
Achievement All-Rookie First TeamAchievement All-Rookie First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Rookie Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson 59 25.0 11.9 0.9 2.3 3.2 3.5 0.9 0.2 1.6 1.8 4.5 10.1 .448 0.6 2.1 .314 2.2 2.7 .829
difference:+18+11.3+6.1+1.3+3.3+4.5+3.8+1.5+0.3-2.4-1.0+2.0+2.2+.082+0.5+1.7+.088+2.7+3.3+.019
Magic Johnson 77 36.3 18.0 2.2 5.6 7.7 7.3 2.4 0.5 4.0 2.8 6.5 12.3 .530 0.1 0.4 .226 4.9 6.0 .810
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson DNP------ --- ----------
Magic Johnson 16 41.1 18.3 3.3 7.3 10.5 9.4 3.1 0.4 4.1 2.9 6.4 12.4 .518 0.1 0.5 .250 5.3 6.6 .802

Season 2

Jordan Clarkson Magic Johnson
Season 2015-161980-81
Team Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Steals Leader
Playoffs Did Not PlayLakers Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
2nd Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson 79 32.3 15.5 1.2 2.8 4.0 2.4 1.1 0.1 1.7 2.1 6.0 13.9 .433 1.4 4.1 .347 2.1 2.6 .804
difference:+42+4.8+6.1+1.5+3.1+4.6+6.2+2.3+0.6-2.2-0.6+2.4+2.0+.099+1.3+3.6+.171+2.5+3.5+.044
Magic Johnson 37 37.1 21.6 2.7 5.9 8.6 8.6 3.4 0.7 3.9 2.7 8.4 15.9 .532 0.1 0.5 .176 4.6 6.1 .760
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson DNP------ --- ----------
Magic Johnson 3 42.3 17.0 2.7 11.0 13.7 7.0 2.7 1.0 3.7 4.7 6.3 16.3 .388 0.0 0.0 - 4.3 6.7 .650

Season 3

Jordan Clarkson Magic Johnson
Season 2016-171981-82
Team Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
-Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement Steals Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
3rd Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson 82 29.2 14.7 0.6 2.4 3.0 2.6 1.1 0.1 2.0 1.8 5.8 13.1 .445 1.4 4.3 .329 1.6 2.0 .798
difference:+4+9.1+3.9+2.6+4.0+6.6+6.9+1.6+0.3-1.7-1.1+1.3+0.2+.092+1.3+3.9+.122+2.6+3.6+.038
Magic Johnson 78 38.3 18.6 3.2 6.4 9.6 9.5 2.7 0.4 3.7 2.9 7.1 13.3 .537 0.1 0.4 .207 4.2 5.6 .760
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson DNP------ --- ----------
Magic Johnson 14 40.1 17.4 3.9 7.4 11.3 9.3 2.9 0.2 3.1 3.6 5.9 11.2 .529 0.0 0.3 .000 5.5 6.6 .828

Season 4

Jordan Clarkson Magic Johnson
Season 2017-181982-83
Team Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland CavaliersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Cavaliers Lost NBA FinalsLakers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
4th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson 81 23.3 13.9 0.7 2.0 2.7 2.7 0.7 0.1 1.6 1.3 5.3 11.8 .451 1.4 3.9 .352 1.9 2.3 .800
difference:+2+13.5+2.9+2.0+3.9+5.9+7.8+1.5+0.5-2.2-1.2+1.2+.097+1.4+3.6+.352+1.9+2.5
Magic Johnson 79 36.8 16.8 2.7 5.9 8.6 10.5 2.2 0.6 3.8 2.5 6.5 11.8 .548 0.0 0.3 .000 3.8 4.8 .800
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson 19 15.1 4.7 0.5 1.2 1.7 0.7 0.4 0.2 0.7 1.1 1.9 6.5 .301 0.6 2.4 .239 0.3 0.3 .833
difference:+4+27.8+13.2+2.9+3.9+6.8+12.1+1.9+0.6-3.6-2.2+4.8+7.2+.184+0.6+1.7+.239+4.2+5.1+.007
Magic Johnson 15 42.9 17.9 3.4 5.1 8.5 12.8 2.3 0.8 4.3 3.3 6.7 13.7 .485 0.0 0.7 .000 4.5 5.4 .840

Season 5

Jordan Clarkson Magic Johnson
Season 2018-191983-84
Team Cleveland CavaliersLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayLakers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
5th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson 81 27.3 16.8 1.0 2.3 3.3 2.4 0.7 0.2 1.7 1.4 6.5 14.6 .448 1.8 5.5 .324 2.0 2.4 .844
difference:+14+11.0+0.8+0.5+3.6+4.0+10.7+1.5+0.5-2.9-1.1+0.1+3.0+.117+1.7+5.1+.117+2.3+2.9+.034
Magic Johnson 67 38.3 17.6 1.5 5.9 7.3 13.1 2.2 0.7 4.6 2.5 6.6 11.6 .565 0.1 0.4 .207 4.3 5.3 .810
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson DNP------ --- ----------
Magic Johnson 21 39.9 18.2 1.2 5.4 6.6 13.5 2.0 1.0 3.8 3.4 7.2 13.0 .551 0.0 0.3 .000 3.8 4.8 .800

Season 6

Jordan Clarkson Magic Johnson
Season 2019-201984-85
Team Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah JazzLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Jazz Lost West Conf 1st RdNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
6th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson 71 24.0 15.2 0.7 1.9 2.6 1.9 0.6 0.2 1.4 1.5 5.5 12.2 .454 2.1 5.8 .368 1.9 2.3 .836
difference:+6+12.1+3.1+0.5+3.1+3.6+10.7+0.9+0.1-2.6-0.5+1.0+0.5+.107+2.0+5.3+.179+3.2+3.7+.007
Magic Johnson 77 36.1 18.3 1.2 5.0 6.2 12.6 1.5 0.3 4.0 2.0 6.5 11.7 .561 0.1 0.5 .189 5.1 6.0 .843
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson 7 28.6 16.7 0.3 3.1 3.4 2.1 0.9 0.0 1.0 2.1 6.4 13.9 .464 2.4 7.0 .347 1.4 1.4 1.000
difference:+12+7.6+0.8+0.7+3.0+3.7+13.1+0.8+0.2-3.0-0.4+0.3+2.0+.049+2.3+6.6+.204+3.9+4.8+.153
Magic Johnson 19 36.2 17.5 1.0 6.1 7.1 15.2 1.7 0.2 4.0 2.5 6.1 11.9 .513 0.1 0.4 .143 5.3 6.2 .847

Season 7

Jordan Clarkson Magic Johnson
Season 2020-211985-86
Team Utah JazzLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
Achievement Sixth Man of the Year-
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Jazz Lost West Conf SemisLakers Lost West Conf Finals
more >>
7th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson 68 26.7 18.4 0.7 3.3 4.0 2.5 0.9 0.1 1.7 1.6 6.7 15.8 .425 3.1 8.8 .347 1.9 2.1 .896
difference:+4+9.1+0.4+0.5+1.4+1.9+10.1+0.7+0.1-2.1-0.2+3.0+.101+3.0+8.2+.114+3.4+3.9+.025
Magic Johnson 72 35.8 18.8 1.2 4.7 5.9 12.6 1.6 0.2 3.8 1.8 6.7 12.8 .526 0.1 0.6 .233 5.3 6.0 .871
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson 11 27.1 17.5 0.5 2.5 3.1 1.5 0.6 0.3 2.1 1.4 6.1 15.0 .406 3.1 8.8 .351 2.3 2.4 .962
difference:+3+11.5+4.1+1.0+3.1+4.0+13.6+1.3+0.2-1.1-1.7+1.8+0.4+.131+3.1+8.0+.351+3.6+5.2+.196
Magic Johnson 14 38.6 21.6 1.5 5.6 7.1 15.1 1.9 0.1 3.2 3.1 7.9 14.6 .537 0.0 0.8 .000 5.9 7.6 .766

Season 8

Jordan Clarkson Magic Johnson
Season 2021-221986-87
Team Utah JazzLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Finals MVP
-Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement Assists Leader
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Jazz Lost West Conf 1st RdNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
8th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson 79 27.1 16.0 0.8 2.6 3.5 2.5 0.8 0.2 1.6 1.9 5.9 14.1 .419 2.4 7.6 .318 1.8 2.2 .828
difference:+1+9.2+7.9+0.7+2.2+2.8+9.7+0.9+0.3-2.2-0.2+2.6+2.3+.103+2.3+7.1+.113+4.9+5.7+.020
Magic Johnson 80 36.3 23.9 1.5 4.8 6.3 12.2 1.7 0.5 3.8 2.1 8.5 16.4 .522 0.1 0.5 .205 6.7 7.9 .848
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson 6 28.3 17.5 0.8 2.3 3.2 1.3 0.5 0.2 1.7 2.8 6.7 12.2 .548 1.5 4.0 .375 2.7 3.0 .889
difference:+12+8.7+4.3+0.8+3.9+4.5+10.9+1.2+0.2-1.1-0.7+1.4+2.9+.009+1.4+3.4+.175+2.7+3.6+.058
Magic Johnson 18 37.0 21.8 1.6 6.2 7.7 12.2 1.7 0.4 2.8 2.1 8.1 15.1 .539 0.1 0.6 .200 5.4 6.6 .831

Season 9

Jordan Clarkson Magic Johnson
Season 2022-231987-88
Team Utah JazzLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayNBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
9th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson 61 32.6 20.8 1.2 2.9 4.0 4.4 0.5 0.2 3.0 2.0 7.5 16.9 .444 2.5 7.5 .338 3.3 4.0 .816
difference:+11+4.0+1.2+2.1+2.2+7.5+1.1-0.7+0.7+3.1+.048+2.3+6.7+.142+2.5+2.8+.037
Magic Johnson 72 36.6 19.6 1.2 5.0 6.2 11.9 1.6 0.2 3.7 2.0 6.8 13.8 .492 0.2 0.8 .196 5.8 6.8 .853
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson DNP------ --- ----------
Magic Johnson 24 40.2 19.9 1.3 4.1 5.4 12.6 1.4 0.2 3.5 2.5 7.0 13.7 .514 0.3 0.6 .500 5.5 6.5 .852

Season 10

Jordan Clarkson Magic Johnson
Season 2023-241988-89
Team Utah JazzLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayLakers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
10th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson 55 30.6 17.1 0.9 2.5 3.4 5.0 0.6 0.1 2.7 1.5 6.1 14.8 .413 1.7 5.6 .294 3.2 3.7 .881
difference:+22+6.9+5.4+0.5+3.9+4.5+7.8+1.2+0.2-1.4-0.7+1.4+.096+0.9+3.2+.020+3.5+3.6+.030
Magic Johnson 77 37.5 22.5 1.4 6.4 7.9 12.8 1.8 0.3 4.1 2.2 7.5 14.8 .509 0.8 2.4 .314 6.7 7.3 .911
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson DNP------ --- ----------
Magic Johnson 14 37.0 18.4 1.1 4.9 5.9 11.8 1.9 0.2 3.8 2.1 6.1 12.4 .489 0.7 2.5 .286 5.6 6.1 .907

Season 11

Jordan Clarkson Magic Johnson
Season 2024-251989-90
Team Utah JazzLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement Season MVP
-Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
-Achievement All-Star Game MVP
Playoffs Did Not PlayLakers Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
11th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson 37 26.0 16.2 0.7 2.5 3.2 3.7 0.8 0.2 2.3 1.4 5.4 13.3 .408 2.3 6.3 .362 3.1 3.9 .797
difference:+42+11.2+6.1+0.9+2.5+3.4+7.8+0.9+0.2-1.4-0.7+1.5+1.1+.072+1.0+2.8+.022+4.1+4.2+.093
Magic Johnson 79 37.2 22.3 1.6 5.0 6.6 11.5 1.7 0.4 3.7 2.1 6.9 14.4 .480 1.3 3.5 .384 7.2 8.1 .890
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson DNP------ --- ----------
Magic Johnson 9 41.8 25.2 1.3 5.0 6.3 12.8 1.2 0.1 4.0 3.1 8.4 17.2 .490 0.6 2.8 .200 7.8 8.8 .886

Season 12

Jordan Clarkson Magic Johnson
Season 2025-261990-91
Team New York KnicksLos Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA First Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayLakers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
12th Season Stats Comparison
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson 24 20.1 9.9 1.0 1.1 2.0 1.7 0.4 0.2 1.2 2.1 3.7 8.6 .430 1.2 4.0 .289 1.3 1.7 .800
difference:+55+17.0+9.5+0.3+4.5+5.0+10.8+0.9-2.8-0.2+2.2+3.8+.047+0.2+0.8+.031+5.3+5.6+.106
Magic Johnson 79 37.1 19.4 1.3 5.6 7.0 12.5 1.3 0.2 4.0 1.9 5.9 12.4 .477 1.0 3.2 .320 6.6 7.3 .906
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TOPF FGM / A% 3PM / A% FTM / A%
Jordan Clarkson DNP------ --- ----------
Magic Johnson 19 43.3 21.8 1.2 6.9 8.1 12.6 1.2 0.0 4.1 2.3 6.2 14.1 .440 1.1 3.7 .296 8.3 9.4 .882

Additional Years

* Magic Johnson played 1 season more than Jordan Clarkson in the NBA.

In that period—his season 13 in 1996—Magic Johnson played in the Playoffs.