Complete Stats Comparison of Yao Ming and Dirk Nowitzki

Here you have a complete side-by-side comparison of all the stats recorded by Yao Ming 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
Yao Ming2
(rebounds, blocks)		0
8
seasons
Dirk Nowitzki3
(points, assists, steals)		5
(points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks)		21
seasons
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
Points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalYears
Yao Ming1
(blocks)		0
4
Playoffs
Dirk Nowitzki4
(points, rebounds, assists, steals)		5
(points, rebounds, assists, steals, 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
Yao Ming5
stats		2
stats		1
stat
Dirk Nowitzki7
stats		12
stats		2
stats
Who has better stats in the Playoffs?
All the stats
Player Better Career Average Better Career TotalBetter Percentage
Yao Ming2
stats		2
stats		1
stat
Dirk Nowitzki10
stats		12
stats		2
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, Dirk Nowitzki had better averages in points, assists and steals while Yao Ming had better averages in rebounds and blocks.

Who had higher averages in the Regular Season?

- Yao Ming had better averages in free throws made (+0.3), offensive rebounds (+1.5), defensive rebounds (+0.1), total rebounds (+1.7) and blocks (+1.1)
- Dirk Nowitzki had better averages in points (+1.7), field goals made (+0.3), 3-pointers made (+1.3), assists (+0.8) and steals (+0.4)
- Yao Ming had higher (worst) averages in turnovers (+1.1) and personal fouls (+0.9)
-
- Yao Ming had higher average in free throws attempted (+0.7)
- Dirk Nowitzki had higher averages in field goals attempted (+2.3) and 3-pointers attempted (+3.4)

NBA Regular Season, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Yao Ming 19.0
Dirk Nowitzki 20.7
+1.7
Field Goals Made
Yao Ming 7.0
Dirk Nowitzki 7.3
+0.3
Field Goals Attempted
Yao Ming 13.3
Dirk Nowitzki 15.6
+2.3
3-Pointers Made
Yao Ming 0.0
Dirk Nowitzki 1.3
+1.3
3-Pointers Attempted
Yao Ming 0.0
Dirk Nowitzki 3.4
+3.4
Free Throws Made
Yao Ming 5.1
+0.3
Dirk Nowitzki 4.8
Free Throws Attempted
Yao Ming 6.1
+0.7
Dirk Nowitzki 5.4
Offensive Rebounds
Yao Ming 2.5
+1.5
Dirk Nowitzki 1.0
Defensive Rebounds
Yao Ming 6.7
+0.1
Dirk Nowitzki 6.6
Total Rebounds
Yao Ming 9.2
+1.7
Dirk Nowitzki 7.5
Assists
Yao Ming 1.6
Dirk Nowitzki 2.4
+0.8
Steals
Yao Ming 0.4
Dirk Nowitzki 0.8
+0.4
Blocks
Yao Ming 1.9
+1.1
Dirk Nowitzki 0.8
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Yao Ming 2.7
+1.1
Dirk Nowitzki 1.6
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Yao Ming 3.3
+0.9
Dirk Nowitzki 2.4

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, Dirk Nowitzki had more total points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks than Yao Ming.

Who had more total stats in the Regular Season?

-
- Dirk Nowitzki played more years (+13) and games (+1,036), and had more points (+22,313), field goals made (+7,789), 3-pointers made (+1,980), free throws made (+4,755), offensive rebounds (+235), defensive rebounds (+6,760), total rebounds (+6,995), assists (+2,882), steals (+1,021) and blocks (+361)
-
- Dirk Nowitzki had more turnovers (+1,183) and personal fouls (+2,005)
-
- Dirk Nowitzki had more field goals attempted (+17,289), 3-pointers attempted (+5,200) and free throws attempted (+5,255)

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Totals

Years
Yao Ming 8
Dirk Nowitzki 21
+13
Games
Yao Ming 486
Dirk Nowitzki 1,522
+1,036
Points
Yao Ming 9,247
Dirk Nowitzki 31,560
+22,313
Field Goals Made
Yao Ming 3,380
Dirk Nowitzki 11,169
+7,789
Field Goals Attempted
Yao Ming 6,445
Dirk Nowitzki 23,734
+17,289
3-Pointers Made
Yao Ming 2
Dirk Nowitzki 1,982
+1,980
3-Pointers Attempted
Yao Ming 10
Dirk Nowitzki 5,210
+5,200
Free Throws Made
Yao Ming 2,485
Dirk Nowitzki 7,240
+4,755
Free Throws Attempted
Yao Ming 2,984
Dirk Nowitzki 8,239
+5,255
Offensive Rebounds
Yao Ming 1,233
Dirk Nowitzki 1,468
+235
Defensive Rebounds
Yao Ming 3,261
Dirk Nowitzki 10,021
+6,760
Total Rebounds
Yao Ming 4,494
Dirk Nowitzki 11,489
+6,995
Assists
Yao Ming 769
Dirk Nowitzki 3,651
+2,882
Steals
Yao Ming 189
Dirk Nowitzki 1,210
+1,021
Blocks
Yao Ming 920
Dirk Nowitzki 1,281
+361
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Yao Ming 1,311
Dirk Nowitzki 2,494
+1,183
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Yao Ming 1,596
Dirk Nowitzki 3,601
+2,005

Comparison of Percentages in the Regular Season

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Regular Season, Dirk Nowitzki had better 3-point percentage and free throw percentage while Yao Ming had better field goal percentage.

NBA Regular Season Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Yao Ming 52.4%
+5.3
Dirk Nowitzki 47.1%
3-Point Percentage
Yao Ming 20.0%
Dirk Nowitzki 38.0%
+18.0
Free Throw Percentage
Yao Ming 83.3%
Dirk Nowitzki 87.9%
+4.6

Comparison of Stats Per Game in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, out of the five main statistical categories, Dirk Nowitzki had better averages in points, rebounds, assists and steals while Yao Ming had better average in blocks.

Who had higher averages in the Playoffs?

- Yao Ming had better averages in offensive rebounds (+1.2) and blocks (+0.6)
- Dirk Nowitzki had better averages in points (+5.5), field goals made (+1.4), 3-pointers made (+1.0), free throws made (+1.5), defensive rebounds (+1.9), total rebounds (+0.7), assists (+1.5) and steals (+0.7)
- Yao Ming had higher (worst) averages in turnovers (+0.6) and personal fouls (+1.0)
-
-
- Dirk Nowitzki had higher averages in field goals attempted (+4.8), 3-pointers attempted (+2.8) and free throws attempted (+1.2)

NBA Playoffs, Career Stats Per Game

Points
Yao Ming 19.8
Dirk Nowitzki 25.3
+5.5
Field Goals Made
Yao Ming 7.0
Dirk Nowitzki 8.4
+1.4
Field Goals Attempted
Yao Ming 13.4
Dirk Nowitzki 18.2
+4.8
3-Pointers Made
Yao Ming 0.0
Dirk Nowitzki 1.0
+1.0
3-Pointers Attempted
Yao Ming 0.0
Dirk Nowitzki 2.8
+2.8
Free Throws Made
Yao Ming 5.9
Dirk Nowitzki 7.4
+1.5
Free Throws Attempted
Yao Ming 7.1
Dirk Nowitzki 8.3
+1.2
Offensive Rebounds
Yao Ming 2.7
+1.2
Dirk Nowitzki 1.5
Defensive Rebounds
Yao Ming 6.6
Dirk Nowitzki 8.5
+1.9
Total Rebounds
Yao Ming 9.3
Dirk Nowitzki 10.0
+0.7
Assists
Yao Ming 1.0
Dirk Nowitzki 2.5
+1.5
Steals
Yao Ming 0.3
Dirk Nowitzki 1.0
+0.7
Blocks
Yao Ming 1.5
+0.6
Dirk Nowitzki 0.9
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Yao Ming 2.9
+0.6
Dirk Nowitzki 2.3
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Yao Ming 3.8
+1.0
Dirk Nowitzki 2.8

Comparison of Totals Stats in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, Dirk Nowitzki had more total points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks than Yao Ming.

Who had more total stats in the Playoffs?

-
- Dirk Nowitzki played more years (+11) and games (+117), and had more points (+3,108), field goals made (+1,025), 3-pointers made (+149), free throws made (+909), offensive rebounds (+136), defensive rebounds (+1,049), total rebounds (+1,185), assists (+331), steals (+140) and blocks (+87)
-
- Dirk Nowitzki had more turnovers (+246) and personal fouls (+302)
-
- Dirk Nowitzki had more field goals attempted (+2,266), 3-pointers attempted (+408) and free throws attempted (+1,006)

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Totals

Years
Yao Ming 4
Dirk Nowitzki 15
+11
Games
Yao Ming 28
Dirk Nowitzki 145
+117
Points
Yao Ming 555
Dirk Nowitzki 3,663
+3,108
Field Goals Made
Yao Ming 195
Dirk Nowitzki 1,220
+1,025
Field Goals Attempted
Yao Ming 376
Dirk Nowitzki 2,642
+2,266
3-Pointers Made
Yao Ming 0
Dirk Nowitzki 149
+149
3-Pointers Attempted
Yao Ming 0
Dirk Nowitzki 408
+408
Free Throws Made
Yao Ming 165
Dirk Nowitzki 1,074
+909
Free Throws Attempted
Yao Ming 198
Dirk Nowitzki 1,204
+1,006
Offensive Rebounds
Yao Ming 76
Dirk Nowitzki 212
+136
Defensive Rebounds
Yao Ming 185
Dirk Nowitzki 1,234
+1,049
Total Rebounds
Yao Ming 261
Dirk Nowitzki 1,446
+1,185
Assists
Yao Ming 29
Dirk Nowitzki 360
+331
Steals
Yao Ming 9
Dirk Nowitzki 149
+140
Blocks
Yao Ming 42
Dirk Nowitzki 129
+87
Turnovers
(lower is better)
Yao Ming 82
Dirk Nowitzki 328
+246
Personal Fouls
(lower is better)
Yao Ming 105
Dirk Nowitzki 407
+302

Comparison of Percentages in the Playoffs

Comparison highlight:

Comparison highlight In the Playoffs, Dirk Nowitzki had better 3-point percentage and free throw percentage while Yao Ming had better field goal percentage.

NBA Playoffs Stats, Career Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Yao Ming 51.9%
+5.7
Dirk Nowitzki 46.2%
3-Point Percentage
Yao Ming 0%
Dirk Nowitzki 36.5%
+36.5
Free Throw Percentage
Yao Ming 83.3%
Dirk Nowitzki 89.2%
+5.9
Share: