Avery Johnson vs. Isaiah Thomas Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Isaiah Thomas and Avery Johnson, 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

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.

Avery Johnson played 16 years in the NBA, 4 more than Isaiah Thomas, who played 12. Avery Johnson had the first of his seasons in 1988-89, while Isaiah Thomas had his rookie season in 2011-12. 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
Avery Johnson 16 10 1988-89 to 2003-04
Isaiah Thomas 12 4 2011-12 to 2023-24

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

Avery Johnson Isaiah Thomas
Season 1988-892011-12
Team Seattle SupersonicsSacramento Kings
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Rookie Second Team
Playoffs Supersonics Lost West Conf SemisDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 43 6.8 1.6 0.3 0.3 0.6 1.7 0.5 0.1 0.4 0.8 0.7 1.9 .349 0.0 0.2 .111 0.2 0.4 .563
Isaiah Thomas 65 25.5 11.5 0.7 1.8 2.6 4.1 0.8 0.1 1.6 1.9 3.9 8.8 .448 1.3 3.4 .379 2.4 2.8 .832
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 6 5.2 1.8 0.3 0.3 0.7 0.8 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.8 2.0 .417 0.0 0.7 .000 0.2 0.3 .500
Isaiah Thomas ------- --- ----------

Season 2

Avery Johnson Isaiah Thomas
Season 1989-902012-13
Team Seattle SupersonicsSacramento Kings
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 %
Avery Johnson 53 10.8 2.6 0.4 0.4 0.8 3.1 0.5 0.0 0.9 1.0 1.0 2.7 .387 0.0 0.1 .250 0.5 0.8 .725
Isaiah Thomas 79 26.9 13.9 0.4 1.7 2.0 4.0 0.8 0.0 1.8 2.1 4.6 10.5 .440 1.5 4.1 .358 3.2 3.6 .882
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson ------- --- ----------
Isaiah Thomas ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Avery Johnson Isaiah Thomas
Season 1990-912013-14
Team Denver Nuggets, San Antonio SpursSacramento Kings
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Spurs 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 %
Avery Johnson 68 14.1 4.7 0.3 0.8 1.1 3.4 0.7 0.1 1.1 0.9 1.9 4.1 .469 0.0 0.1 .111 0.9 1.3 .678
Isaiah Thomas 72 34.7 20.3 0.7 2.3 2.9 6.3 1.3 0.1 3.0 2.6 6.9 15.2 .453 1.8 5.1 .349 4.8 5.7 .850
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 3 6.3 0.7 0.0 0.0 0 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 1.7 .000 0.0 0.3 .000 0.7 0.7 1.000
Isaiah Thomas ------- --- ----------

Season 4

Avery Johnson Isaiah Thomas
Season 1991-922014-15
Team San Antonio Spurs, Houston RocketsPhoenix Suns, Boston Celtics
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayCeltics 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 %
Avery Johnson 69 17.9 5.6 0.2 1.0 1.2 3.9 0.9 0.1 1.6 1.3 2.3 4.8 .479 0.1 0.2 .267 1.0 1.5 .653
Isaiah Thomas 67 25.8 16.4 0.5 1.8 2.3 4.2 0.9 0.1 2.1 2.2 5.0 11.9 .420 1.9 5.2 .373 4.5 5.2 .868
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson ------- --- ----------
Isaiah Thomas 4 29.8 17.5 0.3 2.8 3.0 7.0 0.8 0.0 3.5 2.5 4.5 13.5 .333 0.8 4.5 .167 7.8 8.0 .969

Season 5

Avery Johnson Isaiah Thomas
Season 1992-932015-16
Team San Antonio SpursBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf SemisCeltics 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 %
Avery Johnson 75 27.1 8.7 0.3 1.7 1.9 7.5 1.1 0.2 1.9 1.9 3.4 6.8 .502 0.0 0.1 .000 1.9 2.4 .791
Isaiah Thomas 82 32.2 22.2 0.6 2.4 3.0 6.2 1.1 0.1 2.7 2.0 7.2 16.9 .428 2.0 5.7 .359 5.8 6.6 .871
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 10 31.4 8.2 0.8 2.3 3.1 8.1 1.0 0.1 2.3 2.7 3.6 7.0 .514 0.0 0.1 .000 1.0 1.4 .714
Isaiah Thomas 6 36.7 24.2 0.3 2.7 3.0 5.0 0.7 0.8 2.3 3.0 7.8 19.8 .395 2.2 7.7 .283 6.3 7.8 .809

Season 6

Avery Johnson Isaiah Thomas
Season 1993-942016-17
Team Golden State WarriorsBoston Celtics
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-NBA Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Warriors Lost West Conf 1st RdCeltics Lost East Conf Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 82 28.4 10.9 0.5 1.6 2.1 5.3 1.4 0.1 2.1 2.0 4.3 8.8 .492 0.0 0.1 .000 2.2 3.1 .704
Isaiah Thomas 76 33.8 28.9 0.6 2.1 2.7 5.9 0.9 0.2 2.8 2.2 9.0 19.4 .463 3.2 8.5 .379 7.8 8.5 .909
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 3 13.7 6.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 3.3 1.3 0.3 1.0 0.7 3.0 5.7 .529 0.0 0.3 .000 0.0 0.0 -
Isaiah Thomas 15 34.7 23.3 0.3 2.8 3.1 6.7 0.9 0.1 3.3 2.3 7.4 17.4 .425 2.4 7.2 .333 6.1 7.4 .820

Season 7

Avery Johnson Isaiah Thomas
Season 1994-952017-18
Team San Antonio SpursCleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf FinalsDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 82 36.7 13.4 0.6 1.9 2.5 8.2 1.4 0.2 2.5 1.9 5.5 10.5 .519 0.0 0.3 .136 2.5 3.6 .685
Isaiah Thomas 32 26.9 15.2 0.5 1.6 2.1 4.8 0.5 0.1 3.0 1.8 4.9 13.2 .373 1.7 5.9 .293 3.7 4.1 .893
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 15 38.3 14.5 0.6 1.5 2.1 8.3 1.3 0.4 2.0 1.9 6.1 11.7 .517 0.0 0.1 .000 2.4 3.9 .621
Isaiah Thomas ------- --- ----------

Season 8

Avery Johnson Isaiah Thomas
Season 1995-962018-19
Team San Antonio SpursDenver Nuggets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf SemisDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 82 37.6 13.1 0.5 2.1 2.5 9.6 1.5 0.3 2.4 2.2 5.3 10.8 .494 0.1 0.4 .194 2.3 3.2 .721
Isaiah Thomas 12 15.1 8.1 0.4 0.7 1.1 1.9 0.4 0.1 1.5 1.4 2.8 8.3 .343 1.0 3.6 .279 1.4 2.3 .630
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 10 40.7 12.3 0.6 3.0 3.6 9.4 2.0 0.1 2.4 2.1 5.2 12.1 .430 0.0 0.2 .000 1.9 2.7 .704
Isaiah Thomas ------- --- ----------

Season 9

Avery Johnson Isaiah Thomas
Season 1996-972019-20
Team San Antonio SpursWashington Wizards
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 %
Avery Johnson 76 32.5 10.5 0.4 1.5 1.9 6.8 1.3 0.2 1.9 2.1 4.3 9.0 .477 0.1 0.3 .231 1.8 2.7 .690
Isaiah Thomas 40 23.1 12.2 0.3 1.4 1.7 3.7 0.3 0.2 1.9 1.9 4.4 10.7 .408 2.0 4.7 .413 1.6 1.9 .816
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson ------- --- ----------
Isaiah Thomas ------- --- ----------

Season 10

Avery Johnson Isaiah Thomas
Season 1997-982020-21
Team San Antonio SpursNew Orleans Pelicans
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf SemisDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 75 35.7 10.2 0.4 1.6 2.0 7.9 1.1 0.2 2.2 1.9 4.3 8.9 .478 0.0 0.2 .154 1.6 2.2 .726
Isaiah Thomas 3 16.0 7.7 0.3 1.0 1.3 1.7 0.3 0.0 2.0 1.0 3.0 9.0 .333 1.0 4.0 .250 0.7 0.7 1.000
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 9 38.1 17.3 0.3 1.1 1.4 6.1 1.0 0.0 2.3 3.0 6.8 11.2 .604 0.0 0.2 .000 3.8 5.7 .667
Isaiah Thomas ------- --- ----------

Season 11

Avery Johnson Isaiah Thomas
Season 1998-992021-22
Team San Antonio SpursLos Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Charlotte Hornets
Honors & Awards
Playoffs NBA Champion NBA ChampionDid Not Play
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 50 33.4 9.7 0.4 1.9 2.4 7.4 1.0 0.2 2.2 2.0 4.4 9.2 .473 0.0 0.2 .083 1.0 1.8 .568
Isaiah Thomas 22 15.2 8.4 0.2 1.1 1.3 1.5 0.3 0.2 0.7 1.5 3.0 7.6 .401 1.3 3.8 .337 1.0 1.2 .846
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 17 38.5 12.6 0.5 1.9 2.5 7.4 1.2 0.1 2.9 1.8 5.4 11.0 .487 0.1 0.2 .333 1.9 2.8 .681
Isaiah Thomas ------- --- ----------

Note: Isaiah Thomas didn't play in 2022-23.

Season 12

Avery Johnson Isaiah Thomas
Season 1999-002023-24
Team San Antonio SpursPhoenix Suns
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Spurs Lost West Conf 1st RdSuns 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 %
Avery Johnson 82 31.4 11.2 0.4 1.5 1.9 6.0 0.9 0.2 1.7 1.8 4.9 10.4 .473 0.0 0.1 .111 1.4 1.9 .735
Isaiah Thomas 6 3.2 1.3 0.0 0.0 0 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 1.7 .300 0.3 0.7 .500 0.0 0.0 -
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 4 36.3 12.0 0.5 1.8 2.3 5.3 1.0 0.0 2.5 2.5 4.8 10.5 .452 0.0 0.0 - 2.5 3.5 .714
Isaiah Thomas 1 4.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 .000 0.0 1.0 .000 0.0 0.0 -

Season 13

Avery Johnson Isaiah Thomas
Season 2000-01-
Team San Antonio Spurs-
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Spurs 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 %
Avery Johnson 55 23.5 5.6 0.4 1.2 1.5 4.3 0.6 0.1 1.1 1.6 2.4 5.5 .447 0.0 0.1 .167 0.7 1.1 .683
Isaiah Thomas ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson 13 21.7 5.8 0.2 1.0 1.2 3.2 0.8 0.1 0.8 1.8 2.6 6.8 .386 0.0 0.1 .000 0.6 1.2 .533
Isaiah Thomas ------- --- ----------

Season 14

Avery Johnson Isaiah Thomas
Season 2001-02-
Team Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks-
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 %
Avery Johnson 68 19.9 7.9 0.2 0.8 1.0 4.2 0.6 0.1 1.1 1.3 3.0 6.4 .479 0.0 0.1 .000 1.8 2.4 .742
Isaiah Thomas ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson ------- --- ----------
Isaiah Thomas ------- --- ----------

Season 15

Avery Johnson Isaiah Thomas
Season 2002-03-
Team Dallas Mavericks-
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 %
Avery Johnson 48 9.0 3.3 0.2 0.4 0.6 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.6 0.5 1.3 3.1 .420 0.0 0.0 .000 0.6 0.8 .769
Isaiah Thomas ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson ------- --- ----------
Isaiah Thomas ------- --- ----------

Season 16

Avery Johnson Isaiah Thomas
Season 2003-04-
Team Golden State Warriors-
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 %
Avery Johnson 46 13.8 4.6 0.1 0.7 0.7 2.4 0.6 0.1 1.1 0.7 1.7 4.3 .402 0.0 0.1 .000 1.1 1.7 .667
Isaiah Thomas ------- --- ----------
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Avery Johnson ------- --- ----------
Isaiah Thomas ------- --- ----------