Joel Embiid vs. Bill Russell Comparison

Head-to-head comparison between the NBA stars Bill Russell and Joel Embiid 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

Joel Embiid

vs.

Bill Russell

NBA Timeline:	1946-47 2023-24
Joel Embiid: 2016-17 to 2023-24
Bill Russell: 1956-57 to 1968-69

NBA Championships and Seasons

NBA Championships Joel Embiid 0 Bill Russell 11

NBA Seasons Joel Embiid 8 Bill Russell 13

Playoffs Played Joel Embiid 7 Bill Russell 13

All-Star Games Joel Embiid 7 Bill Russell 12

Honors and Awards

Season MVP Joel Embiid 1 Bill Russell 5

All-NBA First Team Joel Embiid 1 Bill Russell 3

All-NBA Teams (Total Selections) Joel Embiid 5 Bill Russell 11

All-Defensive 1st Team Joel Embiid 0 Bill Russell 1 *

All-Defensive Teams (Total Selections) Joel Embiid 3 Bill Russell 1

Scoring Leader Joel Embiid 2 Bill Russell 0

Rebounds Leader Joel Embiid 0 Bill Russell 4

* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Joel Embiid 27.9 Bill Russell 15.1

Rebounds Per Game Joel Embiid 11.2 Bill Russell 22.5

Assists Per Game Joel Embiid 3.6 Bill Russell 4.3

Steals Per Game Joel Embiid 0.9 Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Joel Embiid 1.7 Bill Russell - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Joel Embiid 12,071 Bill Russell 14,522

Total Rebounds Joel Embiid 4,832 Bill Russell 21,620

Total Assists Joel Embiid 1,573 Bill Russell 4,100

Total Steals Joel Embiid 397 Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Blocks Joel Embiid 720 Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Games Joel Embiid 433 Bill Russell 963

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Joel Embiid .504 Bill Russell .440

3-Point Percentage Joel Embiid .341 Bill Russell - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Joel Embiid .826 Bill Russell .561

Best Season (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Joel Embiid 34.7 (2024) Bill Russell 18.9 (1962)

Rebounds Per Game Joel Embiid 13.6 (2019) Bill Russell 24.7 (1964)

Assists Per Game Joel Embiid 5.6 (2024) Bill Russell 5.8 (1967)

Steals Per Game Joel Embiid 1.2 (2024) Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Joel Embiid 2.5 (2017) Bill Russell - n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Points Per Game Joel Embiid 24.3 Bill Russell 16.2

Rebounds Per Game Joel Embiid 10.8 Bill Russell 24.9

Assists Per Game Joel Embiid 2.9 Bill Russell 4.7

Steals Per Game Joel Embiid 0.8 Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Joel Embiid 1.7 Bill Russell - n/a **

Totals Stats

Total Points Joel Embiid 1,334 Bill Russell 2,673

Total Rebounds Joel Embiid 594 Bill Russell 4,104

Total Assists Joel Embiid 160 Bill Russell 770

Total Steals Joel Embiid 44 Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Blocks Joel Embiid 94 Bill Russell - n/a **

Total Games Joel Embiid 55 Bill Russell 165

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage Joel Embiid .458 Bill Russell .430

3-Point Percentage Joel Embiid .276 Bill Russell - n/a **

Free Throw Percentage Joel Embiid .822 Bill Russell .603

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Points Per Game Joel Embiid 31.5 (2024) Bill Russell 22.4 (1962)

Rebounds Per Game Joel Embiid 12.6 (2018) Bill Russell 29.9 (1961)

Assists Per Game Joel Embiid 6.0 (2024) Bill Russell 6.3 (1965)

Steals Per Game Joel Embiid 1.5 (2020) Bill Russell - n/a **

Blocks Per Game Joel Embiid 2.8 (2023) Bill Russell - n/a **

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.