Magic Johnson vs. Reggie Miller Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Reggie Miller and Magic Johnson, 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 / 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.

Magic Johnson played 13 years in the NBA, 5 less than Reggie Miller, who played 18. Magic Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1979-80, while Reggie Miller had his rookie season in 1987-88. 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
Magic Johnson 13 13 1979-80 to 1995-96
Reggie Miller 18 15 1987-88 to 2004-05

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18

Rookie Season

Magic Johnson Reggie Miller
Season 1979-801987-88
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-Rookie First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
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 %
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
Reggie Miller 82 22.4 10.0 1.2 1.2 2.3 1.6 0.6 0.2 1.2 1.9 3.7 7.6 .488 0.7 2.1 .355 1.8 2.3 .801
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
Reggie Miller ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Magic Johnson Reggie Miller
Season 1980-811988-89
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement Steals Leader-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
Reggie Miller 74 34.3 16.0 1.0 3.0 3.9 3.1 1.3 0.4 1.9 2.3 5.4 11.2 .479 1.3 3.3 .402 3.9 4.6 .844
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
Reggie Miller ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Magic Johnson Reggie Miller
Season 1981-821989-90
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement All-NBA Second Team-
Achievement Steals Leader-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionPacers Lost East Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
Reggie Miller 82 38.9 24.6 1.2 2.4 3.6 3.8 1.3 0.2 2.7 2.1 8.1 15.7 .514 1.8 4.4 .414 6.6 7.6 .868
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
Reggie Miller 3 41.7 20.7 0.3 3.7 4.0 2.0 1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 6.7 11.7 .571 1.0 2.3 .429 6.3 7.0 .905

Season 4

Magic Johnson Reggie Miller
Season 1982-831990-91
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsPacers Lost East Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
Reggie Miller 82 36.2 22.6 1.0 2.4 3.4 4.0 1.3 0.2 2.0 2.0 7.3 14.2 .512 1.4 3.9 .348 6.7 7.3 .918
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
Reggie Miller 5 38.6 21.6 1.0 2.2 3.2 2.8 1.6 0.4 2.4 2.8 6.8 14.0 .486 1.6 3.8 .421 6.4 7.4 .865

Season 5

Magic Johnson Reggie Miller
Season 1983-841991-92
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsPacers Lost East Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
Reggie Miller 82 38.0 20.7 1.0 2.9 3.9 3.8 1.3 0.3 1.9 2.6 6.9 13.7 .501 1.6 4.2 .378 5.4 6.3 .858
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
Reggie Miller 3 43.3 27.0 1.3 1.0 2.3 4.7 1.3 0.0 1.3 4.0 8.3 14.3 .581 2.3 3.7 .636 8.0 10.0 .800

Season 6

Magic Johnson Reggie Miller
Season 1984-851992-93
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionPacers Lost East Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
Reggie Miller 82 36.0 21.2 0.8 2.3 3.1 3.2 1.5 0.3 1.8 2.2 7.0 14.5 .479 2.0 5.1 .399 5.2 5.9 .880
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
Reggie Miller 4 43.8 31.5 1.0 2.0 3.0 2.8 0.8 0.0 2.5 2.8 10.0 18.8 .533 2.5 4.8 .526 9.0 9.5 .947

Season 7

Magic Johnson Reggie Miller
Season 1985-861993-94
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf FinalsPacers 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 %
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
Reggie Miller 79 33.4 19.9 0.4 2.3 2.7 3.1 1.5 0.3 2.2 2.4 6.6 13.2 .503 1.6 3.7 .421 5.1 5.6 .908
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
Reggie Miller 16 36.0 23.2 0.7 2.3 3.0 2.9 1.3 0.3 2.0 2.1 7.6 16.9 .448 2.2 5.2 .422 5.9 7.0 .839

Season 8

Magic Johnson Reggie Miller
Season 1986-871994-95
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement Finals MVP-
Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-NBA Third Team
Achievement Assists Leader-
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionPacers 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 %
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
Reggie Miller 81 32.9 19.6 0.4 2.2 2.6 3.0 1.2 0.2 1.9 1.9 6.2 13.5 .462 2.4 5.8 .415 4.7 5.3 .897
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
Reggie Miller 17 37.7 25.5 0.5 3.1 3.6 2.1 0.9 0.2 2.3 2.1 8.1 17.1 .476 3.2 7.5 .422 6.1 7.1 .860

Season 9

Magic Johnson Reggie Miller
Season 1987-881995-96
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-NBA Third Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionPacers Lost East Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
Reggie Miller 76 34.5 21.1 0.5 2.3 2.8 3.3 1.0 0.2 2.5 2.3 6.6 14.0 .473 2.2 5.4 .410 5.7 6.6 .863
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
Reggie Miller 1 31.0 29.0 1.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 7.0 17.0 .412 2.0 6.0 .333 13.0 15.0 .867

Season 10

Magic Johnson Reggie Miller
Season 1988-891996-97
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
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 %
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
Reggie Miller 81 36.6 21.6 0.7 2.9 3.5 3.4 0.9 0.3 2.0 2.1 6.8 15.4 .444 2.8 6.6 .427 5.2 5.9 .880
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
Reggie Miller ------- --- ----------

Season 11

Magic Johnson Reggie Miller
Season 1989-901997-98
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement Season MVP-
Achievement All-NBA First Team-
-Achievement All-NBA Third Team
Achievement All-Star GameAchievement All-Star Game
Achievement All-Star Game NVP-
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf SemisPacers 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 %
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
Reggie Miller 81 34.5 19.5 0.6 2.3 2.9 2.1 1.0 0.1 1.6 1.8 6.4 13.3 .477 2.0 4.7 .429 4.7 5.4 .868
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
Reggie Miller 16 39.3 19.9 0.3 1.4 1.8 2.0 1.2 0.2 1.7 1.6 6.1 14.4 .426 2.4 5.9 .400 5.3 5.9 .904

Season 12

Magic Johnson Reggie Miller
Season 1990-911998-99
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards Achievement All-NBA First Team-
Achievement All-Star Game-
Playoffs Lakers Lost NBA FinalsPacers 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 %
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
Reggie Miller 50 35.7 18.4 0.5 2.2 2.7 2.2 0.7 0.2 1.5 2.0 5.9 13.4 .438 2.1 5.5 .385 4.5 4.9 .915
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
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
Reggie Miller 13 37.0 20.2 1.0 2.9 3.9 2.6 0.7 0.2 1.6 2.0 6.1 15.3 .397 2.2 6.5 .333 5.9 6.6 .895

Note: Magic Johnson didn't play in 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94 and 1994-95.

Season 13

Magic Johnson Reggie Miller
Season 1995-961999-00
Team Los Angeles LakersIndiana Pacers
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Lakers Lost West Conf 1st RdPacers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 32 29.9 14.6 1.3 4.5 5.7 6.9 0.8 0.4 3.2 1.5 4.3 9.2 .466 0.7 1.8 .379 5.4 6.3 .856
Reggie Miller 81 36.9 18.1 0.6 2.3 3.0 2.3 1.0 0.3 1.6 1.6 5.8 12.9 .448 2.0 5.0 .408 4.6 5.0 .919
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson 4 33.8 15.3 2.0 6.5 8.5 6.5 0.0 0.0 3.0 0.8 3.8 9.8 .385 0.8 2.3 .333 7.0 8.3 .848
Reggie Miller 22 40.6 24.0 0.4 2.0 2.4 2.7 1.0 0.5 1.3 1.7 7.9 17.5 .452 2.6 6.7 .395 5.5 5.9 .938

Season 14

Magic Johnson Reggie Miller
Season -2000-01
Team -Indiana Pacers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Pacers Lost East Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Reggie Miller 81 39.3 18.9 0.5 3.0 3.5 3.2 1.0 0.2 1.6 2.0 6.4 14.5 .440 2.1 5.7 .366 4.0 4.3 .928
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Reggie Miller 4 44.0 31.3 1.8 3.3 5.0 2.5 0.8 0.5 2.8 0.8 10.3 22.5 .456 3.8 8.8 .429 7.0 7.5 .933

Season 15

Magic Johnson Reggie Miller
Season -2001-02
Team -Indiana Pacers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Pacers Lost East Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Reggie Miller 79 36.6 16.5 0.3 2.5 2.8 3.2 1.1 0.1 1.5 1.8 5.2 11.6 .453 2.3 5.6 .406 3.7 4.1 .911
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Reggie Miller 5 39.6 23.6 0.0 3.2 3.2 2.8 1.6 0.2 2.8 2.0 8.4 16.6 .506 2.6 6.2 .419 4.2 4.8 .875

Season 16

Magic Johnson Reggie Miller
Season -2002-03
Team -Indiana Pacers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Pacers Lost East Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Reggie Miller 70 30.2 12.6 0.3 2.2 2.5 2.4 0.9 0.1 0.9 1.3 4.0 9.1 .441 1.6 4.5 .355 3.0 3.3 .900
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Reggie Miller 6 29.5 9.2 0.2 2.2 2.3 2.3 0.2 0.2 1.2 1.5 2.5 8.8 .283 0.7 4.2 .160 3.5 3.8 .913

Season 17

Magic Johnson Reggie Miller
Season -2003-04
Team -Indiana Pacers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Pacers 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 %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Reggie Miller 80 28.2 10.0 0.2 2.1 2.4 3.1 0.8 0.1 0.9 1.2 3.3 7.4 .438 1.7 4.2 .401 1.8 2.1 .885
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Reggie Miller 16 28.4 10.1 0.2 2.1 2.3 2.8 1.1 0.2 1.8 1.4 2.8 7.0 .402 1.5 4.0 .375 2.9 3.2 .922

Season 18

Magic Johnson Reggie Miller
Season -2004-05
Team -Indiana Pacers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Pacers Lost East Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Reggie Miller 66 31.9 14.8 0.3 2.1 2.4 2.2 0.8 0.1 1.2 1.7 4.8 10.9 .437 1.5 4.5 .322 3.8 4.1 .933
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Magic Johnson ------- --- ----------
Reggie Miller 13 33.0 14.8 0.3 2.8 3.1 1.5 0.8 0.1 1.6 2.2 4.8 11.0 .434 1.6 5.1 .318 3.7 3.9 .941