Bill Russell vs. Karl-Anthony Towns Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Karl-Anthony Towns and Bill Russell that includes championships won, honors and awards obtained, regular season and playoffs stats and other data put side by side.

Who scored more points in his career? Who averaged more points in playoffs? Who won more championships? Who led the season more times? Who won more MVP awards? These questions and many more, are answered here. It includes NBA Championships, seasons, playoffs, awards, statistical data for points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and percentages.

Head-To-Head Career Comparison

NBA Timeline:
1946-47
2023-24
Bill Russell:
1956-57 to 1968-69
Karl-Anthony Towns:
2015-16 to 2023-24

NBA Championships and Seasons

Bill Russell11
Karl-Anthony Towns0
Bill Russell13
Karl-Anthony Towns9
Bill Russell13
Karl-Anthony Towns3
Bill Russell12
Karl-Anthony Towns4

Honors and Awards

Bill Russell5
Karl-Anthony Towns0
Bill Russell3
Karl-Anthony Towns0
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Bill Russell11
Karl-Anthony Towns2
Bill Russell1 *
Karl-Anthony Towns0
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Bill Russell1
Karl-Anthony Towns0
Bill Russell4
Karl-Anthony Towns0
Bill Russell0
Karl-Anthony Towns1
* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Bill Russell 15.1
Karl-Anthony Towns 22.9

Bill Russell 22.5
Karl-Anthony Towns 10.9

Bill Russell 4.3
Karl-Anthony Towns 3.2

Bill Russell -
n/a **
Karl-Anthony Towns 0.8

Bill Russell -
n/a **
Karl-Anthony Towns 1.3

Totals Stats

Bill Russell 14,522
Karl-Anthony Towns 13,100

Bill Russell 21,620
Karl-Anthony Towns 6,205

Bill Russell 4,100
Karl-Anthony Towns 1,805

Bill Russell -
n/a **
Karl-Anthony Towns 452

Bill Russell -
n/a **
Karl-Anthony Towns 720

Bill Russell 963
Karl-Anthony Towns 571

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Bill Russell .440
Karl-Anthony Towns .524

3-Point Percentage
Bill Russell -
n/a **
Karl-Anthony Towns .398

Free Throw Percentage
Bill Russell .561
Karl-Anthony Towns .839

Best Season (no game minimum)

Bill Russell 18.9
(1962)
Karl-Anthony Towns 26.5
(2020)

Bill Russell 24.7
(1964)
Karl-Anthony Towns 12.4
(2019)

Bill Russell 5.8
(1967)
Karl-Anthony Towns 4.8
(2023)

Bill Russell -
n/a **
Karl-Anthony Towns 1.0
(2022)

Bill Russell -
n/a **
Karl-Anthony Towns 1.7
(2016)

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Bill Russell 16.2
Karl-Anthony Towns 18.6

Bill Russell 24.9
Karl-Anthony Towns 11.4

Bill Russell 4.7
Karl-Anthony Towns 2.1

Bill Russell -
n/a **
Karl-Anthony Towns 0.6

Bill Russell -
n/a **
Karl-Anthony Towns 1.3

Totals Stats

Bill Russell 2,673
Karl-Anthony Towns 298

Bill Russell 4,104
Karl-Anthony Towns 183

Bill Russell 770
Karl-Anthony Towns 34

Bill Russell -
n/a **
Karl-Anthony Towns 9

Bill Russell -
n/a **
Karl-Anthony Towns 21

Bill Russell 165
Karl-Anthony Towns 16

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Bill Russell .430
Karl-Anthony Towns .471

3-Point Percentage
Bill Russell -
n/a **
Karl-Anthony Towns .333

Free Throw Percentage
Bill Russell .603
Karl-Anthony Towns .802

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Bill Russell 22.4
(1962)
Karl-Anthony Towns 21.8
(2022)

Bill Russell 29.9
(1961)
Karl-Anthony Towns 13.4
(2018)

Bill Russell 6.3
(1965)
Karl-Anthony Towns 2.2
(2018)

Bill Russell -
n/a **
Karl-Anthony Towns 0.7
(2022)

Bill Russell -
n/a **
Karl-Anthony Towns 2.0
(2022)

Notes: ** Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74, this player has no data for the stat.
Three-point shots were implemented in 1979-80, this player has no data for the stat.