Austin Rivers vs. J.R. Smith Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of J.R. Smith and Austin Rivers, from their rookie seasons to their last year played, in chronological order with awards, stats, championships and playoff performance of their teams every year.

Player comparisons:
Career comparison / Season by season / Games against each other

Who had the better rookie season? Who had best stats in their 10th season? Who won a championship first? These questions and many others, are answered here.

Austin Rivers played 11 years in the NBA, 5 less than J.R. Smith, who played 16. Austin Rivers had the first of his seasons in 2012-13, while J.R. Smith had his rookie season in 2004-05. With that starting point, here you can take a look at each of their seasons side by side and compare how their careers evolved in achivements, awards and championships won, the stats they recorded both in the Regular Season and the Playoffs and how their teams performed in the postseason.

Their Careers

Player
Total Seasons Playoffs Played NBA Years
Austin Rivers 11 8 2012-13 to 2022-23
J.R. Smith 16 12 2004-05 to 2019-20

Comparison Season by Season

Jump to season:
1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16

Rookie Season

Austin Rivers J.R. Smith
Season 2012-132004-05
Team New Orleans HornetsNew Orleans Hornets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 61 23.2 6.2 0.3 1.5 1.8 2.1 0.4 0.1 1.2 2.0 2.4 6.4 .372 0.5 1.4 .326 1.0 1.8 .546
J.R. Smith 76 24.5 10.3 0.5 1.5 2.0 1.9 0.7 0.1 1.4 1.8 3.9 9.8 .394 1.1 3.7 .288 1.5 2.1 .689
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Austin Rivers J.R. Smith
Season 2013-142005-06
Team New Orleans PelicansNew Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 69 19.4 7.7 0.4 1.5 1.9 2.3 0.7 0.1 1.1 1.9 2.8 6.9 .405 0.5 1.4 .364 1.6 2.5 .636
J.R. Smith 55 18.0 7.7 0.3 1.7 2.0 1.1 0.7 0.1 1.0 1.6 2.6 6.7 .393 0.9 2.5 .371 1.5 1.8 .822
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Austin Rivers J.R. Smith
Season 2014-152006-07
Team New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles ClippersDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Clippers Lost West Conf SemisNuggets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 76 20.6 7.0 0.4 1.6 2.0 2.0 0.6 0.2 0.9 1.9 2.7 6.5 .409 0.5 1.7 .298 1.1 1.7 .675
J.R. Smith 63 23.3 13.0 0.5 1.8 2.3 1.4 0.8 0.1 1.3 2.3 4.5 10.2 .441 2.4 6.1 .390 1.6 2.0 .810
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 14 17.9 8.4 0.4 1.3 1.7 1.1 0.7 0.3 0.9 2.0 3.3 7.5 .438 0.9 2.5 .371 0.9 1.4 .632
J.R. Smith 4 11.8 4.5 0.3 2.0 2.3 0.5 1.0 0.3 0.8 1.5 1.5 5.5 .273 0.0 3.0 .000 1.5 1.5 1.000

Season 4

Austin Rivers J.R. Smith
Season 2015-162007-08
Team Los Angeles ClippersDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Clippers Lost West Conf 1st RdNuggets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 67 21.9 8.9 0.3 1.6 1.9 1.5 0.7 0.1 0.9 2.0 3.4 7.7 .438 0.9 2.8 .335 1.2 1.7 .681
J.R. Smith 74 19.2 12.3 0.6 1.5 2.1 1.7 0.8 0.2 1.5 1.9 4.2 9.1 .461 2.1 5.3 .403 1.7 2.4 .719
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 6 24.0 10.3 0.7 2.0 2.7 2.7 0.5 0.0 1.2 2.0 4.3 10.2 .426 0.7 2.8 .235 1.0 1.5 .667
J.R. Smith 4 27.0 18.3 0.3 1.5 1.8 1.8 1.0 0.0 1.3 3.0 5.8 10.8 .535 1.8 5.5 .318 5.0 6.0 .833

Season 5

Austin Rivers J.R. Smith
Season 2016-172008-09
Team Los Angeles ClippersDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Clippers Lost West Conf 1st RdNuggets Lost West Conf Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 74 27.8 12.0 0.3 1.9 2.2 2.8 0.6 0.1 1.6 2.5 4.4 9.9 .442 1.5 4.0 .371 1.8 2.6 .691
J.R. Smith 81 27.7 15.2 0.5 3.1 3.7 2.8 1.0 0.2 1.9 2.3 5.2 11.7 .446 2.2 5.6 .397 2.5 3.4 .754
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 3 30.0 8.0 0.3 2.3 2.7 0.7 0.3 0.3 1.7 2.0 3.0 8.7 .346 1.3 4.3 .308 0.7 0.7 1.000
J.R. Smith 16 27.2 14.9 0.7 2.6 3.3 2.8 1.1 0.3 1.6 3.2 5.5 12.1 .454 2.4 6.6 .358 1.6 2.9 .543

Season 6

Austin Rivers J.R. Smith
Season 2017-182009-10
Team Los Angeles ClippersDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayNuggets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 61 33.7 15.1 0.4 1.9 2.4 4.0 1.2 0.3 1.8 2.5 5.6 13.2 .424 2.2 5.9 .378 1.7 2.6 .642
J.R. Smith 75 27.8 15.4 0.4 2.7 3.1 2.4 1.3 0.3 1.9 2.3 5.7 13.8 .414 2.1 6.2 .338 1.9 2.7 .706
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 6 26.5 11.2 0.8 3.0 3.8 1.7 0.7 0.3 1.0 2.8 3.5 9.5 .368 1.8 5.2 .355 2.3 2.7 .875

Season 7

Austin Rivers J.R. Smith
Season 2018-192010-11
Team Washington Wizards, Houston RocketsDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf SemisNuggets Lost West Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 76 26.7 8.1 0.3 1.8 2.1 2.2 0.6 0.3 0.9 2.7 3.1 7.5 .406 1.4 4.3 .318 0.7 1.3 .526
J.R. Smith 79 24.9 12.3 0.6 3.5 4.1 2.2 1.2 0.2 1.3 2.2 4.3 9.9 .435 1.6 4.0 .390 2.1 2.8 .738
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 10 21.5 7.4 0.2 1.9 2.1 1.0 0.5 0.1 0.8 3.1 2.7 6.2 .435 1.6 3.5 .457 0.4 0.6 .667
J.R. Smith 5 15.2 9.8 0.2 1.8 2.0 1.0 0.4 0.0 1.6 1.6 3.2 9.0 .356 1.8 4.2 .429 1.6 2.2 .727

Season 8

Austin Rivers J.R. Smith
Season 2019-202011-12
Team Houston RocketsNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Rockets Lost West Conf SemisKnicks Lost East Conf 1st Rd
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 68 23.4 8.8 0.4 2.2 2.6 1.7 0.7 0.1 0.7 1.9 3.1 7.4 .421 1.4 4.0 .356 1.1 1.6 .703
J.R. Smith 35 27.6 12.5 0.8 3.1 3.9 2.4 1.5 0.2 1.3 2.5 4.7 11.6 .407 1.9 5.5 .347 1.1 1.6 .709
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 12 17.6 4.8 0.2 2.3 2.5 1.3 0.6 0.1 0.7 1.8 1.6 5.1 .311 0.8 2.9 .257 0.8 1.1 .769
J.R. Smith 5 35.0 12.2 0.4 2.2 2.6 2.2 1.2 0.2 2.2 3.8 4.8 15.2 .316 1.0 5.6 .179 1.6 1.6 1.000

Season 9

Austin Rivers J.R. Smith
Season 2020-212012-13
Team New York Knicks, Denver NuggetsNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards -Achievement Sixth Man of the Year
Playoffs Nuggets Lost West Conf SemisKnicks Lost East Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 36 23.5 7.9 0.2 2.1 2.3 2.3 0.8 0.1 1.0 1.8 2.9 6.8 .424 1.5 4.1 .369 0.6 0.9 .710
J.R. Smith 80 33.5 18.1 0.8 4.5 5.3 2.7 1.3 0.3 1.7 2.8 6.6 15.6 .422 1.9 5.5 .356 3.0 3.9 .762
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 10 30.5 9.2 0.1 1.6 1.7 2.1 0.2 0.3 0.9 3.2 3.0 6.9 .435 1.9 4.6 .413 1.3 1.6 .813
J.R. Smith 11 31.9 14.3 0.5 4.2 4.7 1.4 1.0 0.5 1.8 2.5 4.9 14.8 .331 1.6 6.0 .273 2.8 3.9 .721

Season 10

Austin Rivers J.R. Smith
Season 2021-222013-14
Team Denver NuggetsNew York Knicks
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Nuggets Lost West Conf 1st RdDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 67 22.1 6.0 0.3 1.4 1.7 1.3 0.8 0.1 0.8 1.8 2.2 5.2 .417 1.2 3.4 .342 0.5 0.7 .727
J.R. Smith 74 32.7 14.5 0.5 3.5 4.0 3.0 0.9 0.3 1.5 2.6 5.4 12.9 .415 2.6 6.5 .394 1.2 1.9 .652
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 5 21.6 4.2 0.0 0.6 0.6 1.2 1.4 0.2 0.8 3.0 1.6 3.6 .444 0.8 2.4 .333 0.2 0.2 1.000
J.R. Smith ------- --- ----------

Season 11

Austin Rivers J.R. Smith
Season 2022-232014-15
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesNew York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Timberwolves Lost West Conf 1st RdCavaliers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 52 19.5 4.9 0.1 1.5 1.6 1.4 0.5 0.1 0.4 1.5 1.8 4.0 .435 0.8 2.4 .350 0.6 0.8 .769
J.R. Smith 70 29.7 12.1 0.4 2.7 3.1 2.8 1.2 0.3 1.4 2.3 4.5 10.8 .417 2.3 6.1 .383 0.8 1.0 .750
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers 4 11.5 2.5 0.3 1.0 1.3 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.3 1.0 2.0 .500 0.5 1.5 .333 0.0 0.0 -
J.R. Smith 18 31.1 12.8 0.5 4.2 4.7 1.2 0.9 0.6 0.8 3.0 4.6 11.4 .403 2.8 7.9 .359 0.8 1.1 .700

Season 12

Austin Rivers J.R. Smith
Season -2015-16
Team -Cleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -NBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 77 30.7 12.4 0.6 2.3 2.8 1.7 1.1 0.3 0.8 2.6 4.6 11.0 .415 2.6 6.6 .400 0.6 0.9 .634
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 21 34.8 11.5 0.3 2.9 3.2 1.4 1.2 0.2 0.5 2.6 3.9 9.0 .436 3.1 7.2 .430 0.6 1.0 .619

Season 13

Austin Rivers J.R. Smith
Season -2016-17
Team -Cleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Cavaliers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 41 29.0 8.6 0.4 2.3 2.8 1.5 1.0 0.3 0.6 1.9 3.0 8.7 .346 2.3 6.6 .351 0.2 0.4 .667
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 18 27.1 8.1 0.3 2.1 2.3 0.7 0.7 0.3 0.7 2.3 2.8 5.5 .505 2.2 4.4 .500 0.3 0.6 .455

Season 14

Austin Rivers J.R. Smith
Season -2017-18
Team -Cleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Cavaliers Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 80 28.1 8.3 0.4 2.6 2.9 1.8 0.9 0.1 1.0 2.0 3.0 7.4 .403 1.8 4.8 .375 0.5 0.7 .696
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 22 32.1 8.7 0.5 2.3 2.7 1.1 1.0 0.2 0.9 2.5 3.0 8.5 .348 2.0 5.5 .367 0.8 1.0 .773

Season 15

Austin Rivers J.R. Smith
Season -2018-19
Team -Cleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Did Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 11 20.2 6.7 0.0 1.6 1.6 1.9 1.0 0.3 1.0 1.7 2.5 7.2 .342 1.1 3.5 .308 0.7 0.9 .800
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Austin Rivers J.R. Smith
Season -2019-20
Team -Los Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -NBA Champion NBA Champion
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 6 13.2 2.8 0.0 0.8 0.8 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.7 0.8 1.2 3.7 .318 0.2 1.8 .091 0.3 0.3 1.000
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Austin Rivers ------- --- ----------
J.R. Smith 10 7.5 2.0 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.7 1.1 0.7 2.6 .269 0.6 2.2 .273 0.0 0.0 -