Comparing NBA point guards is a favorite pastime for fans, and when you stack up dynamic playmakers like De’Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings against Darius Garland of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the debate intensifies. Both are electrifying talents capable of taking over games, but their statistical profiles reveal distinct strengths and styles. This in-depth comparison dives into the stats, accolades, and career trajectories of De’Aaron Fox and Darius Garland to determine who holds the edge in this exciting point guard rivalry.
Career Overview
De’Aaron Fox entered the NBA as the 5th overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft, known for his blazing speed and potential as a floor general. Over his career with the Sacramento Kings, Fox has steadily improved, blossoming into a bonafide All-Star and leading his team back to the playoffs after a long drought. His game is built on explosive drives to the basket, creating opportunities for himself and his teammates with his speed and court vision.
Darius Garland, drafted 5th overall in the 2019 NBA draft, joined the Cleveland Cavaliers with high expectations as a scoring and playmaking point guard. Alongside a developing Cavaliers roster, Garland has emerged as a two-time All-Star, forming a potent backcourt partnership. Garland’s game is characterized by his smooth ball-handling, sharpshooting from beyond the arc, and crafty playmaking ability.
Head-to-Head Stats Breakdown
To truly understand the differences and similarities between Fox and Garland, let’s delve into a detailed statistical comparison across various categories.
NBA Championships and Seasons
| Category | De’Aaron Fox | Darius Garland |
|---|---|---|
| NBA Championships | 0 | 0 |
| NBA Seasons | 8 | 6 |
| Playoffs Played | 1 | 2 |
| All-Star Games | 1 | 2 |
Fox holds an edge in NBA seasons played, currently with 8 seasons compared to Garland’s 6. Garland, however, has a slight lead in All-Star selections, boasting 2 appearances to Fox’s 1. Neither player has secured an NBA championship yet.
Honors and Awards
| Award | De’Aaron Fox | Darius Garland |
|---|---|---|
| All-NBA Teams | 1 | 0 |
De’Aaron Fox has been recognized with one All-NBA Team selection, a feat Darius Garland is yet to achieve. This accolade highlights Fox’s peak performance level and impact on the league.
NBA Regular Season Stats
Stats Per Game
| Stat | De’Aaron Fox | Darius Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 21.5 | 18.9 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 3.9 | 2.6 |
| Assists Per Game | 6.1 | 6.7 |
| Steals Per Game | 1.4 | 1.2 |
| Blocks Per Game | 0.4 | 0.1 |
In per-game regular season stats, Fox scores more points (21.5 vs 18.9), grabs more rebounds (3.9 vs 2.6), secures more steals (1.4 vs 1.2), and blocks more shots (0.4 vs 0.1) on average than Garland. Garland edges out Fox in assists per game (6.7 vs 6.1), showcasing his strength as a primary playmaker.
Totals Stats
| Stat | De’Aaron Fox | Darius Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Total Points | 11,172 | 6,785 |
| Total Rebounds | 2,026 | 932 |
| Total Assists | 3,185 | 2,399 |
| Total Steals | 740 | 415 |
| Total Blocks | 216 | 43 |
| Total Games | 519 | 359 |
Looking at career totals, Fox leads significantly in every category due to having played more seasons and games. Fox has accumulated more total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks than Garland.
Percentages
| Stat | De’Aaron Fox | Darius Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal Percentage | .471 | .456 |
| 3-Point Percentage | .332 | .392 |
| Free Throw Percentage | .744 | .866 |
Fox shoots a slightly higher field goal percentage (.471 vs .456), while Garland is the superior three-point shooter (.392 vs .332) and free-throw shooter (.866 vs .744). Garland’s efficiency from beyond the arc and the free-throw line is a notable strength in his offensive game.
Best Season (No Game Minimum)
| Stat | De’Aaron Fox | Season (Year) | Darius Garland | Season (Year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 26.6 | (2024) | 21.7 | (2022) |
| Rebounds Per Game | 4.8 | (2025) | 3.3 | (2022) |
| Assists Per Game | 7.3 | (2019) | 8.6 | (2022) |
| Steals Per Game | 2.0 | (2024) | 1.3 | (2022) |
| Blocks Per Game | 0.6 | (2019) | 0.2 | (2025) |
When examining their best single seasons, Fox achieved a higher points per game peak (26.6 vs 21.7) and steals per game peak (2.0 vs 1.3), while Garland reached a higher assists per game peak (8.6 vs 7.3). Fox’s rebounding and blocks were also slightly higher in their best seasons.
NBA Playoffs Stats
Stats Per Game
| Stat | De’Aaron Fox | Darius Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 27.4 | 17.1 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 5.4 | 3.1 |
| Assists Per Game | 7.7 | 5.5 |
| Steals Per Game | 2.1 | 1.2 |
| Blocks Per Game | 0.6 | 0.2 |
In the playoffs, De’Aaron Fox elevates his game significantly, outperforming Darius Garland in every per-game statistical category. Fox averages considerably more points (27.4 vs 17.1), rebounds (5.4 vs 3.1), assists (7.7 vs 5.5), steals (2.1 vs 1.2), and blocks (0.6 vs 0.2) in his playoff appearances.
Totals Stats
| Stat | De’Aaron Fox | Darius Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Total Points | 192 | 291 |
| Total Rebounds | 38 | 52 |
| Total Assists | 54 | 94 |
| Total Steals | 15 | 21 |
| Total Blocks | 4 | 3 |
| Total Games | 7 | 17 |
Despite Fox’s higher per-game playoff stats, Garland has accumulated more total points, rebounds, assists, and steals in the playoffs due to playing more games (17 vs 7).
Percentages
| Stat | De’Aaron Fox | Darius Garland |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goal Percentage | .424 | .430 |
| 3-Point Percentage | .333 | .363 |
| Free Throw Percentage | .756 | .826 |
Playoff shooting percentages are closely matched, with Garland having slight edges in field goal percentage (.430 vs .424), 3-point percentage (.363 vs .333), and free throw percentage (.826 vs .756).
Best Playoffs (No Game Minimum)
| Stat | De’Aaron Fox | Playoffs (Year) | Darius Garland | Playoffs (Year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 27.4 | (2023) | 20.6 | (2023) |
| Rebounds Per Game | 5.4 | (2023) | 3.6 | (2024) |
| Assists Per Game | 7.7 | (2023) | 5.8 | (2024) |
| Steals Per Game | 2.1 | (2023) | 1.6 | (2023) |
| Blocks Per Game | 0.6 | (2023) | 0.2 | (2023) |
In their best playoff performances, Fox again demonstrates a higher ceiling, exceeding Garland in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks per game in a single playoff run.
Conclusion
De’Aaron Fox and Darius Garland are both elite point guards with distinct strengths. Fox’s explosive athleticism and scoring prowess, particularly in the playoffs, give him an edge in per-game impact and overall offensive dynamism. He scores more, rebounds more, steals more, and blocks more shots on average. Garland, however, is a more efficient shooter from three-point range and the free-throw line and excels as a traditional playmaker, demonstrated by his higher assist numbers in the regular season.
While Garland has more All-Star appearances and playoff experience, Fox boasts an All-NBA selection and statistically dominates playoff comparisons when looking at per-game numbers. Ultimately, the “better” player is subjective and depends on team needs and preferred style of play. However, based purely on statistical output and peak performance, De’Aaron Fox currently appears to have a slight edge in this exciting point guard matchup.
