Wayne Ellington vs. Nate Thurmond Season by Season Comparison

Side by side comparison of each NBA season of Nate Thurmond and Wayne Ellington, 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.

Wayne Ellington played 13 years in the NBA, 1 less than Nate Thurmond, who played 14. Wayne Ellington had the first of his seasons in 2009-10, while Nate Thurmond had his rookie season in 1963-64. 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
Wayne Ellington 13 3 2009-10 to 2021-22
Nate Thurmond 14 9 1963-64 to 1976-77

Comparison Season by Season

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

Rookie Season

Wayne Ellington Nate Thurmond
Season 2009-101963-64
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Rookie First Team
Playoffs Did Not PlayWarriors Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington 76 18.2 6.6 0.4 1.7 2.1 1.0 0.3 0.1 1.0 0.9 2.5 5.9 .424 0.8 2.1 .395 0.8 0.9 .871
Nate Thurmond 76 25.9 7.0 - - 10.4 1.1 - - - 2.4 2.9 7.3 .395 - - - 1.3 2.3 .549
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond 12 34.2 10.0 - - 12.3 0.8 - - - 3.8 3.5 8.0 .438 - - - 3.0 4.4 .679

Season 2

Wayne Ellington Nate Thurmond
Season 2010-111964-65
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
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 %
Wayne Ellington 62 19.0 6.6 0.4 1.3 1.7 1.2 0.5 0.0 0.9 1.4 2.6 6.4 .403 0.8 2.0 .397 0.7 0.9 .792
Nate Thurmond 77 41.2 16.5 - - 18.1 2.0 - - - 3.0 6.7 16.1 .419 - - - 3.1 4.6 .658
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------

Season 3

Wayne Ellington Nate Thurmond
Season 2011-121965-66
Team Minnesota TimberwolvesSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
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 %
Wayne Ellington 51 19.1 6.1 0.3 1.7 1.9 0.6 0.5 0.2 0.5 1.1 2.4 5.9 .404 0.7 2.1 .324 0.6 0.8 .800
Nate Thurmond 73 39.6 16.3 - - 18.0 1.5 - - - 3.1 6.2 15.3 .406 - - - 3.8 5.9 .654
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------

Season 4

Wayne Ellington Nate Thurmond
Season 2012-131966-67
Team Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland CavaliersSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Did Not PlayWarriors Lost NBA Finals
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington 78 21.3 7.9 0.3 1.8 2.1 1.3 0.6 0.0 0.7 1.0 2.9 6.8 .427 1.2 3.1 .392 0.9 1.0 .907
Nate Thurmond 65 42.5 18.7 - - 21.3 2.6 - - - 2.8 7.2 16.4 .437 - - - 4.3 6.8 .629
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond 15 46.0 15.9 - - 23.1 3.1 - - - 3.5 6.2 14.3 .433 - - - 3.5 6.1 .571

Season 5

Wayne Ellington Nate Thurmond
Season 2013-141967-68
Team Dallas MavericksSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Mavericks 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 %
Wayne Ellington 45 8.7 3.2 0.2 0.8 1.0 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.7 1.2 2.8 .437 0.6 1.3 .424 0.2 0.2 .909
Nate Thurmond 51 43.6 20.5 - - 22.0 4.2 - - - 2.7 7.5 18.2 .411 - - - 5.5 8.6 .644
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington 2 7.0 4.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 0.5 1.0 3.0 .333 1.0 3.0 .333 1.0 1.0 1.000
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------

Season 6

Wayne Ellington Nate Thurmond
Season 2014-151968-69
Team Los Angeles LakersSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Playoffs Did Not PlayWarriors Lost West Div Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington 65 25.8 10.0 0.5 2.8 3.2 1.6 0.5 0.0 0.8 1.2 3.9 9.5 .412 1.4 3.7 .370 0.8 1.0 .813
Nate Thurmond 71 45.2 21.5 - - 19.7 3.6 - - - 2.4 8.0 19.6 .410 - - - 5.4 8.7 .615
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond 6 43.8 16.7 - - 19.5 4.7 - - - 3.0 6.7 17.0 .392 - - - 3.3 5.7 .588

Season 7

Wayne Ellington Nate Thurmond
Season 2015-161969-70
Team Brooklyn NetsSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Star Game
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 %
Wayne Ellington 76 21.3 7.7 0.3 2.0 2.3 1.1 0.6 0.1 0.6 1.1 2.9 7.4 .389 1.3 3.5 .358 0.7 0.8 .857
Nate Thurmond 43 44.6 21.9 - - 17.7 3.5 - - - 2.6 7.9 19.2 .414 - - - 6.1 8.0 .754
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------

Season 8

Wayne Ellington Nate Thurmond
Season 2016-171970-71
Team Miami HeatSan Francisco Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive First Team
Playoffs Did Not PlayWarriors Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington 62 24.2 10.5 0.3 1.8 2.1 1.1 0.6 0.1 0.5 1.1 3.7 9.0 .416 2.4 6.4 .378 0.6 0.7 .860
Nate Thurmond 82 40.9 20.0 - - 13.8 3.1 - - - 2.3 7.6 17.1 .445 - - - 4.8 6.6 .730
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond 5 38.4 17.6 - - 10.2 3.0 - - - 4.0 7.2 19.4 .371 - - - 3.2 4.0 .800

Season 9

Wayne Ellington Nate Thurmond
Season 2017-181971-72
Team Miami HeatGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
Playoffs Heat Lost East Conf 1st RdWarriors Lost West Conf Semis
more >>
Regular Season Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington 77 26.5 11.2 0.3 2.5 2.8 1.0 0.7 0.1 0.7 1.2 3.7 9.1 .407 2.9 7.5 .392 0.9 1.0 .859
Nate Thurmond 78 43.1 21.4 - - 16.1 2.9 - - - 2.7 8.1 18.6 .432 - - - 5.3 7.2 .743
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington 5 20.2 7.8 0.2 1.4 1.6 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.6 1.8 2.4 7.0 .343 2.4 6.0 .400 0.6 0.6 1.000
Nate Thurmond 5 46.0 25.4 - - 17.8 5.2 - - - 2.4 10.6 24.4 .434 - - - 4.2 5.6 .750

Season 10

Wayne Ellington Nate Thurmond
Season 2018-191972-73
Team Miami Heat, Detroit PistonsGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
Playoffs Pistons Lost East Conf 1st RdWarriors 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 %
Wayne Ellington 53 24.5 10.3 0.3 1.8 2.0 1.4 1.0 0.1 0.8 1.7 3.5 8.6 .403 2.6 7.0 .371 0.7 0.9 .796
Nate Thurmond 79 43.3 17.1 - - 17.1 3.5 - - - 3.0 6.5 14.7 .446 - - - 4.0 5.6 .718
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington 4 32.8 7.8 0.8 3.0 3.8 1.3 0.8 0.0 0.5 1.0 2.8 8.8 .314 1.8 5.5 .318 0.5 0.5 1.000
Nate Thurmond 11 41.8 14.5 - - 13.2 3.6 - - - 2.7 5.8 14.6 .398 - - - 2.9 3.6 .800

Season 11

Wayne Ellington Nate Thurmond
Season 2019-201973-74
Team New York KnicksGolden State Warriors
Honors & Awards -Achievement All-Defensive Second Team
-Achievement All-Star Game
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 %
Wayne Ellington 36 15.5 5.1 0.1 1.7 1.8 1.2 0.4 0.1 0.5 1.1 1.7 4.8 .351 1.4 4.0 .350 0.3 0.4 .846
Nate Thurmond 62 39.7 13.0 4.0 10.1 14.2 2.7 0.7 2.9 - 2.9 5.0 11.2 .444 - - - 3.1 4.6 .666
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond ------- --- ----------

Season 12

Wayne Ellington Nate Thurmond
Season 2020-211974-75
Team Detroit PistonsChicago Bulls
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayBulls 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 %
Wayne Ellington 46 22.0 9.6 0.3 1.6 1.8 1.5 0.4 0.2 0.7 1.3 3.2 7.3 .441 2.5 6.0 .422 0.6 0.8 .800
Nate Thurmond 80 34.5 7.9 3.2 8.1 11.3 4.1 0.6 2.4 - 3.4 3.1 8.6 .364 - - - 1.7 2.8 .589
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond 13 19.5 3.5 1.8 4.8 6.7 2.4 0.4 1.6 - 2.8 1.1 2.9 .368 - - - 1.4 2.8 .486

Season 13

Wayne Ellington Nate Thurmond
Season 2021-221975-76
Team Los Angeles LakersChicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs Did Not PlayCavaliers 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 %
Wayne Ellington 43 18.8 6.7 0.2 1.6 1.8 0.7 0.5 0.1 0.4 1.0 2.3 5.5 .414 1.9 4.9 .389 0.2 0.3 .818
Nate Thurmond 78 17.9 4.4 1.5 3.8 5.3 1.2 0.3 1.3 - 2.1 1.8 4.3 .421 - - - 0.8 1.6 .504
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond 13 28.8 6.7 2.9 6.1 9.0 2.2 0.5 2.2 - 4.0 2.8 6.1 .468 - - - 1.0 2.5 .406

Season 14

Wayne Ellington Nate Thurmond
Season -1976-77
Team -Cleveland Cavaliers
Honors & Awards
Playoffs -Cavaliers 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 %
Wayne Ellington ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond 49 20.3 5.5 2.5 5.2 7.6 1.7 0.3 1.7 - 2.6 2.0 5.0 .407 - - - 1.4 2.2 .642
Playoffs Stats
G Min Pts ORb DRb Reb Ast Stl Blk TO PF FGM / A % 3PM / A % FTM / A %
Wayne Ellington ------- --- ----------
Nate Thurmond 1 1.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 - 0.0 0.0 0.0 - - - - 0.0 0.0 -