Complete Stats Comparison of James Harden and Dirk Nowitzki

Here you have a complete side-by-side comparison of all the stats recorded by James Harden and Dirk Nowitzki during their NBA careers. First we show you a summary of who had better numbers on each statistical category and then we compare in detail the performance of each of these stars in the regular season and the Playoffs, both in total stats and averages per game.

Player comparisons:
Career comparison / Season by season / Scoring / Stats / Stats Rankings / Games against each other

This in-depth comparison includes all the numbers, if you prefer a simplified version of this analysis with only the basic statistics, you will find it at the career comparison of these two NBA stars.

On this page we compare:

Who has better stats? Main stats / All stats
Regular Season: Averages / Totals / Pecentages
Playoffs: Averages / Totals / Pecentages

Main Stats Summary:

Who has better stats in the Regular Season?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
James Harden3
(points, assists, steals)		2
(assists, steals)		16
seasons
Dirk Nowitzki2
(rebounds, blocks)		3
(points, rebounds, blocks)		21
seasons
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
James Harden2
(assists, steals)		3
(points, assists, steals)		16
Playoffs
Dirk Nowitzki3
(points, rebounds, blocks)		2
(rebounds, blocks)		15
Playoffs

All Stats Summary:

Who has better stats in the Regular Season?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
James Harden5
stats		5
stats		0
stats
Dirk Nowitzki7
stats		9
stats		3
stats
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
James Harden3
stats		7
stats		0
stats
Dirk Nowitzki9
stats		7
stats		3
stats

- "Better Career Total" includes games and years played as stats.

- For turnovers and personal fouls, lower numbers are better.

- Field goal, free-throw and three-point attempts are not included on these tables since it can't be said that higher is better.

Now, lets compare all their stats in detail, one by one...

Comparison of Stats Per Game in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, out of the five main statistical categories, James Harden has better averages in points, assists and steals while Dirk Nowitzki has better averages in rebounds and blocks.

Who has higher averages in the Regular Season?

- James Harden has better averages in points (+3.4), 3-pointers made (+1.5), free throws made (+2.3), assists (+4.8) and steals (+0.7)
- Dirk Nowitzki has better averages in field goals made (+0.2), offensive rebounds (+0.2), defensive rebounds (+1.7), total rebounds (+1.9) and blocks (+0.2)
- James Harden has higher (worst) averages in turnovers (+2.1) and personal fouls (+0.1)
-
- James Harden has higher averages in field goals attempted (+0.6), 3-pointers attempted (+4.2) and free throws attempted (+2.8)
-

NBA Regular Season, Career Stats Per Game

Points
James Harden 24.1
+3.4
Dirk Nowitzki 20.7
Field Goals Made
James Harden 7.1
Dirk Nowitzki 7.3
+0.2
Field Goals Attempted
James Harden 16.2
+0.6
Dirk Nowitzki 15.6
3-Pointers Made
James Harden 2.8
+1.5
Dirk Nowitzki 1.3
3-Pointers Attempted
James Harden 7.6
+4.2
Dirk Nowitzki 3.4
Free Throws Made
James Harden 7.1
+2.3
Dirk Nowitzki 4.8
Free Throws Attempted
James Harden 8.2
+2.8
Dirk Nowitzki 5.4
Offensive Rebounds
James Harden 0.8
Dirk Nowitzki 1.0
+0.2
Defensive Rebounds
James Harden 4.9
Dirk Nowitzki 6.6
+1.7
Total Rebounds
James Harden 5.6
Dirk Nowitzki 7.5
+1.9
Assists
James Harden 7.2
+4.8
Dirk Nowitzki 2.4
Steals
James Harden 1.5
+0.7
Dirk Nowitzki 0.8
Blocks
James Harden 0.6
Dirk Nowitzki 0.8
+0.2
Turnovers
(lower is better)
James Harden 3.7
+2.1
Dirk Nowitzki 1.6
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
James Harden 2.5
+0.1
Dirk Nowitzki 2.4

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, out of the five main statistical categories, Dirk Nowitzki has more total points, rebounds and blocks while James Harden has more total assists and steals.

Who has more total stats in the Regular Season?

- James Harden has more 3-pointers made (+1,193), free throws made (+924), assists (+4,665) and steals (+505)
- Dirk Nowitzki played more years (+5) and games (+371), and has more points (+3,873), field goals made (+2,995), offensive rebounds (+597), defensive rebounds (+4,419), total rebounds (+5,016) and blocks (+626)
- James Harden has more turnovers (+1,766)
- Dirk Nowitzki has more personal fouls (+744)
- James Harden has more 3-pointers attempted (+3,540) and free throws attempted (+1,239)
- Dirk Nowitzki has more field goals attempted (+5,124)

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Totals

Years
James Harden 16
Dirk Nowitzki 21
+5
Games
James Harden 1,151
Dirk Nowitzki 1,522
+371
Points
James Harden 27,687
Dirk Nowitzki 31,560
+3,873
Field Goals Made
James Harden 8,174
Dirk Nowitzki 11,169
+2,995
Field Goals Attempted
James Harden 18,610
Dirk Nowitzki 23,734
+5,124
3-Pointers Made
James Harden 3,175
+1,193
Dirk Nowitzki 1,982
3-Pointers Attempted
James Harden 8,750
+3,540
Dirk Nowitzki 5,210
Free Throws Made
James Harden 8,164
+924
Dirk Nowitzki 7,240
Free Throws Attempted
James Harden 9,478
+1,239
Dirk Nowitzki 8,239
Offensive Rebounds
James Harden 871
Dirk Nowitzki 1,468
+597
Defensive Rebounds
James Harden 5,602
Dirk Nowitzki 10,021
+4,419
Total Rebounds
James Harden 6,473
Dirk Nowitzki 11,489
+5,016
Assists
James Harden 8,316
+4,665
Dirk Nowitzki 3,651
Steals
James Harden 1,715
+505
Dirk Nowitzki 1,210
Blocks
James Harden 655
Dirk Nowitzki 1,281
+626
Turnovers
(lower is better)
James Harden 4,260
+1,766
Dirk Nowitzki 2,494
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
James Harden 2,857
Dirk Nowitzki 3,601
+744

Comparison of Percentages in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, Dirk Nowitzki has better field goal percentage, 3-point percentage and free throw percentage than James Harden.

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
James Harden 43.9%
Dirk Nowitzki 47.1%
+3.2
3-Point Percentage
James Harden 36.3%
Dirk Nowitzki 38.0%
+1.7
Free Throw Percentage
James Harden 86.1%
Dirk Nowitzki 87.9%
+1.8

Comparison of Stats Per Game in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, out of the five main statistical categories, Dirk Nowitzki has better averages in points, rebounds and blocks while James Harden has better averages in assists and steals.

Who has higher averages in the Playoffs?

- James Harden has better averages in 3-pointers made (+1.5), assists (+4.0) and steals (+0.6)
- Dirk Nowitzki has better averages in points (+2.8), field goals made (+1.6), free throws made (+1.0), offensive rebounds (+0.8), defensive rebounds (+3.7), total rebounds (+4.5) and blocks (+0.3)
- James Harden has higher (worst) averages in turnovers (+1.1) and personal fouls (+0.2)
-
- James Harden has higher average in 3-pointers attempted (+4.6)
- Dirk Nowitzki has higher averages in field goals attempted (+2.2) and free throws attempted (+0.9)

NBA Playoffs, Career Stats Per Game

Points
James Harden 22.5
Dirk Nowitzki 25.3
+2.8
Field Goals Made
James Harden 6.8
Dirk Nowitzki 8.4
+1.6
Field Goals Attempted
James Harden 16.0
Dirk Nowitzki 18.2
+2.2
3-Pointers Made
James Harden 2.5
+1.5
Dirk Nowitzki 1.0
3-Pointers Attempted
James Harden 7.4
+4.6
Dirk Nowitzki 2.8
Free Throws Made
James Harden 6.4
Dirk Nowitzki 7.4
+1.0
Free Throws Attempted
James Harden 7.4
Dirk Nowitzki 8.3
+0.9
Offensive Rebounds
James Harden 0.7
Dirk Nowitzki 1.5
+0.8
Defensive Rebounds
James Harden 4.8
Dirk Nowitzki 8.5
+3.7
Total Rebounds
James Harden 5.5
Dirk Nowitzki 10.0
+4.5
Assists
James Harden 6.5
+4.0
Dirk Nowitzki 2.5
Steals
James Harden 1.6
+0.6
Dirk Nowitzki 1.0
Blocks
James Harden 0.6
Dirk Nowitzki 0.9
+0.3
Turnovers
(lower is better)
James Harden 3.4
+1.1
Dirk Nowitzki 2.3
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
James Harden 3.0
+0.2
Dirk Nowitzki 2.8

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, out of the five main statistical categories, James Harden has more total points, assists and steals while Dirk Nowitzki has more total rebounds and blocks.

Who has more total stats in the Playoffs?

- James Harden played more years (+1) and games (+28), and has more points (+232), 3-pointers made (+285), free throws made (+41), assists (+765) and steals (+133)
- Dirk Nowitzki has more field goals made (+47), offensive rebounds (+86), defensive rebounds (+412), total rebounds (+498) and blocks (+31)
- James Harden has more turnovers (+262) and personal fouls (+105)
-
- James Harden has more field goals attempted (+118), 3-pointers attempted (+867) and free throws attempted (+79)
-

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Totals

Years
James Harden 16
+1
Dirk Nowitzki 15
Games
James Harden 173
+28
Dirk Nowitzki 145
Points
James Harden 3,895
+232
Dirk Nowitzki 3,663
Field Goals Made
James Harden 1,173
Dirk Nowitzki 1,220
+47
Field Goals Attempted
James Harden 2,760
+118
Dirk Nowitzki 2,642
3-Pointers Made
James Harden 434
+285
Dirk Nowitzki 149
3-Pointers Attempted
James Harden 1,275
+867
Dirk Nowitzki 408
Free Throws Made
James Harden 1,115
+41
Dirk Nowitzki 1,074
Free Throws Attempted
James Harden 1,283
+79
Dirk Nowitzki 1,204
Offensive Rebounds
James Harden 126
Dirk Nowitzki 212
+86
Defensive Rebounds
James Harden 822
Dirk Nowitzki 1,234
+412
Total Rebounds
James Harden 948
Dirk Nowitzki 1,446
+498
Assists
James Harden 1,125
+765
Dirk Nowitzki 360
Steals
James Harden 282
+133
Dirk Nowitzki 149
Blocks
James Harden 98
Dirk Nowitzki 129
+31
Turnovers
(lower is better)
James Harden 590
+262
Dirk Nowitzki 328
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
James Harden 512
+105
Dirk Nowitzki 407

Comparison of Percentages in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, Dirk Nowitzki has better field goal percentage, 3-point percentage and free throw percentage than James Harden.

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
James Harden 42.5%
Dirk Nowitzki 46.2%
+3.7
3-Point Percentage
James Harden 34.0%
Dirk Nowitzki 36.5%
+2.5
Free Throw Percentage
James Harden 86.9%
Dirk Nowitzki 89.2%
+2.3
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