The 21 greatest NBA players who never scored 50 points in a game

4) Kevin Garnett

For those who watched Kevin Garnett during his prime with the Minnesota Timberwolves, it's hard to believe that he never scored 50 points in a game. Though, to his credit, he did get close by dropping 47 against the Phoenix Suns. Garnett was the Timberwolves' best player for nearly a dozen seasons, and considering they relied so heavily on him to carry them, it's surprising that he didn't crank out at least a few 50-pieces.

Instead, Garnet impacted multiple aspects of the game. In addition to averaging at least 20 points per game in nine straight seasons, KG was an above-average passer for a big man and an elite rebounder and defensive player. That versatility likely contributed to his never getting 50 points in a game, and his never becoming a 3-point shooter didn't help his cause.

Once he was traded to the Celtics, he was paired with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, allowing Garnett to focus more on defense and rebounding. That helped Garnett win Defensive Player of the Year and lead the Celtics to a championship in 2008—something far better than scoring 50 points in a game.