Magic Johnson vs. Bill Russell Comparison

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

Player comparisons: / /

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
Magic Johnson:
1979-80 to 1995-96
Bill Russell:
1956-57 to 1968-69

NBA Championships and Seasons

Magic Johnson5
Bill Russell11
Magic Johnson13
Bill Russell13
Magic Johnson13
Bill Russell13
Magic Johnson12
Bill Russell12

Honors and Awards

Magic Johnson3
Bill Russell5
Magic Johnson3
Bill Russell0
*
Magic Johnson9
Bill Russell3
All-NBA Teams
(Total Selections)
Magic Johnson10
Bill Russell11
Magic Johnson0
Bill Russell1
*
All-Defensive Teams
(Total Selections)
Magic Johnson0
Bill Russell1
Magic Johnson0
Bill Russell4
Magic Johnson4
Bill Russell0
Magic Johnson2
Bill Russell0
*
* Notes: Finals MVP and Defensive Teams awarded since 1968-69.
Blocks and steals started to be recorded in 1973-74.

NBA Regular Season Stats

Stats Per Game

Magic Johnson 19.5
Bill Russell 15.1

Magic Johnson 7.2
Bill Russell 22.5

Magic Johnson 11.2
Bill Russell 4.3

Magic Johnson 1.9
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Magic Johnson 0.4
Bill Russell -

n/a **

Totals Stats

Magic Johnson 17,707
Bill Russell 14,522

Magic Johnson 6,559
Bill Russell 21,620

Magic Johnson 10,141
Bill Russell 4,100

Magic Johnson 1,724
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Magic Johnson 374
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Magic Johnson 906
Bill Russell 963

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Magic Johnson .520
Bill Russell .440

3-Point Percentage
Magic Johnson .303
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Magic Johnson .848
Bill Russell .561

Best Season (no game minimum)

Magic Johnson 23.9
(1987)
Bill Russell 18.9
(1962)

Magic Johnson 9.6
(1982)
Bill Russell 24.7
(1964)

Magic Johnson 13.1
(1984)
Bill Russell 5.8
(1967)

Magic Johnson 3.4
(1981)
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Magic Johnson 0.7
(1984)
Bill Russell -

n/a **

NBA Playoffs Stats

Stats Per Game

Magic Johnson 19.5
Bill Russell 16.2

Magic Johnson 7.7
Bill Russell 24.9

Magic Johnson 12.3
Bill Russell 4.7

Magic Johnson 1.9
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Magic Johnson 0.3
Bill Russell -

n/a **

Totals Stats

Magic Johnson 3,701
Bill Russell 2,673

Magic Johnson 1,465
Bill Russell 4,104

Magic Johnson 2,346
Bill Russell 770

Magic Johnson 358
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Magic Johnson 64
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Magic Johnson 190
Bill Russell 165

Percentages

Field Goal Percentage
Magic Johnson .506
Bill Russell .430

3-Point Percentage
Magic Johnson .241
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Free Throw Percentage
Magic Johnson .838
Bill Russell .603

Best Playoffs (no game minimum)

Magic Johnson 25.2
(1990)
Bill Russell 22.4
(1962)

Magic Johnson 13.7
(1981)
Bill Russell 29.9
(1961)

Magic Johnson 15.2
(1985)
Bill Russell 6.3
(1965)

Magic Johnson 3.1
(1980)
Bill Russell -

n/a **
Magic Johnson 1.0
(1981)
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.