Complete Stats Comparison of Karl Malone and Arvydas Sabonis

Here you have a complete side-by-side comparison of all the stats recorded by Karl Malone and Arvydas Sabonis 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 / 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
Karl Malone4
(points, rebounds, assists, steals)		5
(points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks)		19
seasons
Arvydas Sabonis1
(blocks)		0
7
seasons
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
Karl Malone4
(points, rebounds, assists, steals)		5
(points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks)		19
Playoffs
Arvydas Sabonis1
(blocks)		0
7
Playoffs

All Stats Summary:

Who has better stats in the Regular Season?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Karl Malone8
stats		11
stats		1
stat
Arvydas Sabonis4
stats		3
stats		2
stats
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Karl Malone8
stats		11
stats		1
stat
Arvydas Sabonis3
stats		3
stats		2
stats
they are tied1
stat

- "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, Karl Malone had better averages in points, rebounds, assists and steals while Arvydas Sabonis had better average in blocks.

Who had higher averages in the Regular Season?

- Karl Malone had better averages in points (+13.0), field goals made (+4.8), free throws made (+3.8), offensive rebounds (+0.8), defensive rebounds (+2.0), total rebounds (+2.8), assists (+1.5) and steals (+0.6)
- Arvydas Sabonis had better averages in 3-pointers made (+0.2) and blocks (+0.3)
- Karl Malone had higher (worst) averages in turnovers (+1.3) and personal fouls (+0.4)
-
- Karl Malone had higher averages in field goals attempted (+8.9) and free throws attempted (+5.3)
- Arvydas Sabonis had higher average in 3-pointers attempted (+0.7)

NBA Regular Season, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Karl Malone 25.0
+13.0
Arvydas Sabonis 12.0
Field Goals Made
Karl Malone 9.2
+4.8
Arvydas Sabonis 4.4
Field Goals Attempted
Karl Malone 17.8
+8.9
Arvydas Sabonis 8.9
3-Pointers Made
Karl Malone 0.1
Arvydas Sabonis 0.3
+0.2
3-Pointers Attempted
Karl Malone 0.2
Arvydas Sabonis 0.9
+0.7
Free Throws Made
Karl Malone 6.6
+3.8
Arvydas Sabonis 2.8
Free Throws Attempted
Karl Malone 8.9
+5.3
Arvydas Sabonis 3.6
Offensive Rebounds
Karl Malone 2.4
+0.8
Arvydas Sabonis 1.6
Defensive Rebounds
Karl Malone 7.7
+2.0
Arvydas Sabonis 5.7
Total Rebounds
Karl Malone 10.1
+2.8
Arvydas Sabonis 7.3
Assists
Karl Malone 3.6
+1.5
Arvydas Sabonis 2.1
Steals
Karl Malone 1.4
+0.6
Arvydas Sabonis 0.8
Blocks
Karl Malone 0.8
Arvydas Sabonis 1.1
+0.3
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Karl Malone 3.1
+1.3
Arvydas Sabonis 1.8
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Karl Malone 3.1
+0.4
Arvydas Sabonis 2.7

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, Karl Malone had more total points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks than Arvydas Sabonis.

Who had more total stats in the Regular Season?

- Karl Malone played more years (+12) and games (+1,006), and had more points (+31,299), field goals made (+11,446), free throws made (+8,458), offensive rebounds (+2,828), defensive rebounds (+8,704), total rebounds (+11,532), assists (+4,284), steals (+1,715) and blocks (+651)
- Arvydas Sabonis had more 3-pointers made (+51)
- Karl Malone had more turnovers (+3,687) and personal fouls (+3,288)
-
- Karl Malone had more field goals attempted (+22,050) and free throws attempted (+11,498)
- Arvydas Sabonis had more 3-pointers attempted (+105)

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Totals

Years
Karl Malone 19
+12
Arvydas Sabonis 7
Games
Karl Malone 1,476
+1,006
Arvydas Sabonis 470
Points
Karl Malone 36,928
+31,299
Arvydas Sabonis 5,629
Field Goals Made
Karl Malone 13,528
+11,446
Arvydas Sabonis 2,082
Field Goals Attempted
Karl Malone 26,210
+22,050
Arvydas Sabonis 4,160
3-Pointers Made
Karl Malone 85
Arvydas Sabonis 136
+51
3-Pointers Attempted
Karl Malone 310
Arvydas Sabonis 415
+105
Free Throws Made
Karl Malone 9,787
+8,458
Arvydas Sabonis 1,329
Free Throws Attempted
Karl Malone 13,188
+11,498
Arvydas Sabonis 1,690
Offensive Rebounds
Karl Malone 3,562
+2,828
Arvydas Sabonis 734
Defensive Rebounds
Karl Malone 11,406
+8,704
Arvydas Sabonis 2,702
Total Rebounds
Karl Malone 14,968
+11,532
Arvydas Sabonis 3,436
Assists
Karl Malone 5,248
+4,284
Arvydas Sabonis 964
Steals
Karl Malone 2,085
+1,715
Arvydas Sabonis 370
Blocks
Karl Malone 1,145
+651
Arvydas Sabonis 494
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Karl Malone 4,524
+3,687
Arvydas Sabonis 837
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Karl Malone 4,578
+3,288
Arvydas Sabonis 1,290

Comparison of Percentages in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, Arvydas Sabonis had better 3-point percentage and free throw percentage while Karl Malone had better field goal percentage.

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Karl Malone 51.6%
+1.6
Arvydas Sabonis 50.0%
3-Point Percentage
Karl Malone 27.4%
Arvydas Sabonis 32.8%
+5.4
Free Throw Percentage
Karl Malone 74.2%
Arvydas Sabonis 78.6%
+4.4

Comparison of Stats Per Game in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, out of the five main statistical categories, Karl Malone had better averages in points, rebounds, assists and steals while Arvydas Sabonis had better average in blocks.

Who had higher averages in the Playoffs?

- Karl Malone had better averages in points (+12.6), field goals made (+4.6), free throws made (+3.5), offensive rebounds (+1.2), defensive rebounds (+2.1), total rebounds (+3.3), assists (+1.3) and steals (+0.4)
- Arvydas Sabonis had better averages in 3-pointers made (+0.3) and blocks (+0.2)
- Karl Malone had higher (worst) average in turnovers (+1.2)
-
- Karl Malone had higher averages in field goals attempted (+9.9) and free throws attempted (+5.0)
- Arvydas Sabonis had higher average in 3-pointers attempted (+0.7)

NBA Playoffs, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Karl Malone 24.7
+12.6
Arvydas Sabonis 12.1
Field Goals Made
Karl Malone 9.0
+4.6
Arvydas Sabonis 4.4
Field Goals Attempted
Karl Malone 19.5
+9.9
Arvydas Sabonis 9.6
3-Pointers Made
Karl Malone 0.0
Arvydas Sabonis 0.3
+0.3
3-Pointers Attempted
Karl Malone 0.2
Arvydas Sabonis 0.9
+0.7
Free Throws Made
Karl Malone 6.6
+3.5
Arvydas Sabonis 3.1
Free Throws Attempted
Karl Malone 8.9
+5.0
Arvydas Sabonis 3.9
Offensive Rebounds
Karl Malone 2.6
+1.2
Arvydas Sabonis 1.4
Defensive Rebounds
Karl Malone 8.1
+2.1
Arvydas Sabonis 6.0
Total Rebounds
Karl Malone 10.7
+3.3
Arvydas Sabonis 7.4
Assists
Karl Malone 3.2
+1.3
Arvydas Sabonis 1.9
Steals
Karl Malone 1.3
+0.4
Arvydas Sabonis 0.9
Blocks
Karl Malone 0.7
Arvydas Sabonis 0.9
+0.2
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Karl Malone 2.8
+1.2
Arvydas Sabonis 1.6
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Karl Malone 3.4
Arvydas Sabonis 3.4

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, Karl Malone had more total points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks than Arvydas Sabonis.

Who had more total stats in the Playoffs?

- Karl Malone played more years (+12) and games (+142), and had more points (+4,144), field goals made (+1,521), free throws made (+1,111), offensive rebounds (+430), defensive rebounds (+1,254), total rebounds (+1,684), assists (+513), steals (+210) and blocks (+87)
- Arvydas Sabonis had more 3-pointers made (+9)
- Karl Malone had more turnovers (+468) and personal fouls (+487)
-
- Karl Malone had more field goals attempted (+3,277) and free throws attempted (+1,528)
- Arvydas Sabonis had more 3-pointers attempted (+10)

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Totals

Years
Karl Malone 19
+12
Arvydas Sabonis 7
Games
Karl Malone 193
+142
Arvydas Sabonis 51
Points
Karl Malone 4,761
+4,144
Arvydas Sabonis 617
Field Goals Made
Karl Malone 1,743
+1,521
Arvydas Sabonis 222
Field Goals Attempted
Karl Malone 3,768
+3,277
Arvydas Sabonis 491
3-Pointers Made
Karl Malone 6
Arvydas Sabonis 15
+9
3-Pointers Attempted
Karl Malone 37
Arvydas Sabonis 47
+10
Free Throws Made
Karl Malone 1,269
+1,111
Arvydas Sabonis 158
Free Throws Attempted
Karl Malone 1,725
+1,528
Arvydas Sabonis 197
Offensive Rebounds
Karl Malone 502
+430
Arvydas Sabonis 72
Defensive Rebounds
Karl Malone 1,560
+1,254
Arvydas Sabonis 306
Total Rebounds
Karl Malone 2,062
+1,684
Arvydas Sabonis 378
Assists
Karl Malone 610
+513
Arvydas Sabonis 97
Steals
Karl Malone 258
+210
Arvydas Sabonis 48
Blocks
Karl Malone 135
+87
Arvydas Sabonis 48
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Karl Malone 550
+468
Arvydas Sabonis 82
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Karl Malone 662
+487
Arvydas Sabonis 175

Comparison of Percentages in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, Arvydas Sabonis had better 3-point percentage and free throw percentage while Karl Malone had better field goal percentage.

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Karl Malone 46.3%
+1.1
Arvydas Sabonis 45.2%
3-Point Percentage
Karl Malone 16.2%
Arvydas Sabonis 31.9%
+15.7
Free Throw Percentage
Karl Malone 73.6%
Arvydas Sabonis 80.2%
+6.6
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