Complete Stats Comparison of Magic Johnson and Arvydas Sabonis

Here you have a complete side-by-side comparison of all the stats recorded by Magic Johnson 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 / 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
Magic Johnson3
(points, assists, steals)		4
(points, rebounds, assists, steals)		13
seasons
Arvydas Sabonis2
(rebounds, blocks)		1
(blocks)		7
seasons
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
Magic Johnson4
(points, rebounds, assists, steals)		5
(points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks)		13
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
Magic Johnson8
stats		11
stats		2
stats
Arvydas Sabonis4
stats		3
stats		1
stat
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Magic Johnson8
stats		12
stats		2
stats
Arvydas Sabonis3
stats		2
stats		1
stat
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, Magic Johnson had better averages in points, assists and steals while Arvydas Sabonis had better averages in rebounds and blocks.

Who had higher averages in the Regular Season?

- Magic Johnson had better averages in points (+7.5), field goals made (+2.5), 3-pointers made (+0.1), free throws made (+2.7), offensive rebounds (+0.2), assists (+9.1) and steals (+1.1)
- Arvydas Sabonis had better averages in defensive rebounds (+0.2), total rebounds (+0.1) and blocks (+0.7)
- Magic Johnson had higher (worst) average in turnovers (+2.1)
- Arvydas Sabonis had higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+0.4)
- Magic Johnson had higher averages in field goals attempted (+4.3), 3-pointers attempted (+0.3) and free throws attempted (+2.9)
-

NBA Regular Season, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Magic Johnson 19.5
+7.5
Arvydas Sabonis 12.0
Field Goals Made
Magic Johnson 6.9
+2.5
Arvydas Sabonis 4.4
Field Goals Attempted
Magic Johnson 13.2
+4.3
Arvydas Sabonis 8.9
3-Pointers Made
Magic Johnson 0.4
+0.1
Arvydas Sabonis 0.3
3-Pointers Attempted
Magic Johnson 1.2
+0.3
Arvydas Sabonis 0.9
Free Throws Made
Magic Johnson 5.5
+2.7
Arvydas Sabonis 2.8
Free Throws Attempted
Magic Johnson 6.5
+2.9
Arvydas Sabonis 3.6
Offensive Rebounds
Magic Johnson 1.8
+0.2
Arvydas Sabonis 1.6
Defensive Rebounds
Magic Johnson 5.5
Arvydas Sabonis 5.7
+0.2
Total Rebounds
Magic Johnson 7.2
Arvydas Sabonis 7.3
+0.1
Assists
Magic Johnson 11.2
+9.1
Arvydas Sabonis 2.1
Steals
Magic Johnson 1.9
+1.1
Arvydas Sabonis 0.8
Blocks
Magic Johnson 0.4
Arvydas Sabonis 1.1
+0.7
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Magic Johnson 3.9
+2.1
Arvydas Sabonis 1.8
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Magic Johnson 2.3
Arvydas Sabonis 2.7
+0.4

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, out of the five main statistical categories, Magic Johnson had more total points, rebounds, assists and steals while Arvydas Sabonis had more total blocks.

Who had more total stats in the Regular Season?

- Magic Johnson played more years (+6) and games (+436), and had more points (+12,078), field goals made (+4,129), 3-pointers made (+189), free throws made (+3,631), offensive rebounds (+867), defensive rebounds (+2,256), total rebounds (+3,123), assists (+9,177) and steals (+1,354)
- Arvydas Sabonis had more blocks (+120)
- Magic Johnson had more turnovers (+2,669) and personal fouls (+760)
-
- Magic Johnson had more field goals attempted (+7,791), 3-pointers attempted (+659) and free throws attempted (+4,160)
-

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Totals

Years
Magic Johnson 13
+6
Arvydas Sabonis 7
Games
Magic Johnson 906
+436
Arvydas Sabonis 470
Points
Magic Johnson 17,707
+12,078
Arvydas Sabonis 5,629
Field Goals Made
Magic Johnson 6,211
+4,129
Arvydas Sabonis 2,082
Field Goals Attempted
Magic Johnson 11,951
+7,791
Arvydas Sabonis 4,160
3-Pointers Made
Magic Johnson 325
+189
Arvydas Sabonis 136
3-Pointers Attempted
Magic Johnson 1,074
+659
Arvydas Sabonis 415
Free Throws Made
Magic Johnson 4,960
+3,631
Arvydas Sabonis 1,329
Free Throws Attempted
Magic Johnson 5,850
+4,160
Arvydas Sabonis 1,690
Offensive Rebounds
Magic Johnson 1,601
+867
Arvydas Sabonis 734
Defensive Rebounds
Magic Johnson 4,958
+2,256
Arvydas Sabonis 2,702
Total Rebounds
Magic Johnson 6,559
+3,123
Arvydas Sabonis 3,436
Assists
Magic Johnson 10,141
+9,177
Arvydas Sabonis 964
Steals
Magic Johnson 1,724
+1,354
Arvydas Sabonis 370
Blocks
Magic Johnson 374
Arvydas Sabonis 494
+120
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Magic Johnson 3,506
+2,669
Arvydas Sabonis 837
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Magic Johnson 2,050
+760
Arvydas Sabonis 1,290

Comparison of Percentages in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

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

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Magic Johnson 52.0%
+2.0
Arvydas Sabonis 50.0%
3-Point Percentage
Magic Johnson 30.3%
Arvydas Sabonis 32.8%
+2.5
Free Throw Percentage
Magic Johnson 84.8%
+6.2
Arvydas Sabonis 78.6%

Comparison of Stats Per Game in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

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

Who had higher averages in the Playoffs?

- Magic Johnson had better averages in points (+7.4), field goals made (+2.4), free throws made (+2.5), offensive rebounds (+0.4), total rebounds (+0.3), assists (+10.4) and steals (+1.0)
- Arvydas Sabonis had better averages in defensive rebounds (+0.1) and blocks (+0.6)
- Magic Johnson had higher (worst) average in turnovers (+2.1)
- Arvydas Sabonis had higher (worst) average in personal fouls (+0.6)
- Magic Johnson had higher averages in field goals attempted (+3.8), 3-pointers attempted (+0.2) and free throws attempted (+2.8)
-

NBA Playoffs, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Magic Johnson 19.5
+7.4
Arvydas Sabonis 12.1
Field Goals Made
Magic Johnson 6.8
+2.4
Arvydas Sabonis 4.4
Field Goals Attempted
Magic Johnson 13.4
+3.8
Arvydas Sabonis 9.6
3-Pointers Made
Magic Johnson 0.3
Arvydas Sabonis 0.3
3-Pointers Attempted
Magic Johnson 1.1
+0.2
Arvydas Sabonis 0.9
Free Throws Made
Magic Johnson 5.6
+2.5
Arvydas Sabonis 3.1
Free Throws Attempted
Magic Johnson 6.7
+2.8
Arvydas Sabonis 3.9
Offensive Rebounds
Magic Johnson 1.8
+0.4
Arvydas Sabonis 1.4
Defensive Rebounds
Magic Johnson 5.9
Arvydas Sabonis 6.0
+0.1
Total Rebounds
Magic Johnson 7.7
+0.3
Arvydas Sabonis 7.4
Assists
Magic Johnson 12.3
+10.4
Arvydas Sabonis 1.9
Steals
Magic Johnson 1.9
+1.0
Arvydas Sabonis 0.9
Blocks
Magic Johnson 0.3
Arvydas Sabonis 0.9
+0.6
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Magic Johnson 3.7
+2.1
Arvydas Sabonis 1.6
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Magic Johnson 2.8
Arvydas Sabonis 3.4
+0.6

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

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

Who had more total stats in the Playoffs?

- Magic Johnson played more years (+6) and games (+139), and had more points (+3,084), field goals made (+1,069), 3-pointers made (+36), free throws made (+910), offensive rebounds (+277), defensive rebounds (+810), total rebounds (+1,087), assists (+2,249), steals (+310) and blocks (+16)
-
- Magic Johnson had more turnovers (+614) and personal fouls (+349)
-
- Magic Johnson had more field goals attempted (+2,061), 3-pointers attempted (+165) and free throws attempted (+1,077)
-

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Totals

Years
Magic Johnson 13
+6
Arvydas Sabonis 7
Games
Magic Johnson 190
+139
Arvydas Sabonis 51
Points
Magic Johnson 3,701
+3,084
Arvydas Sabonis 617
Field Goals Made
Magic Johnson 1,291
+1,069
Arvydas Sabonis 222
Field Goals Attempted
Magic Johnson 2,552
+2,061
Arvydas Sabonis 491
3-Pointers Made
Magic Johnson 51
+36
Arvydas Sabonis 15
3-Pointers Attempted
Magic Johnson 212
+165
Arvydas Sabonis 47
Free Throws Made
Magic Johnson 1,068
+910
Arvydas Sabonis 158
Free Throws Attempted
Magic Johnson 1,274
+1,077
Arvydas Sabonis 197
Offensive Rebounds
Magic Johnson 349
+277
Arvydas Sabonis 72
Defensive Rebounds
Magic Johnson 1,116
+810
Arvydas Sabonis 306
Total Rebounds
Magic Johnson 1,465
+1,087
Arvydas Sabonis 378
Assists
Magic Johnson 2,346
+2,249
Arvydas Sabonis 97
Steals
Magic Johnson 358
+310
Arvydas Sabonis 48
Blocks
Magic Johnson 64
+16
Arvydas Sabonis 48
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Magic Johnson 696
+614
Arvydas Sabonis 82
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Magic Johnson 524
+349
Arvydas Sabonis 175

Comparison of Percentages in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

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

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Magic Johnson 50.6%
+5.4
Arvydas Sabonis 45.2%
3-Point Percentage
Magic Johnson 24.1%
Arvydas Sabonis 31.9%
+7.8
Free Throw Percentage
Magic Johnson 83.8%
+3.6
Arvydas Sabonis 80.2%
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