Bam Adebayo delivered one of the most remarkable scoring performances in basketball history on Tuesday night, recording 83 points for the Miami Heat in a 150–129 victory over the Washington Wizards.
The 28-year-old centre produced the second-highest single-game scoring total in NBA history, surpassing Kobe Bryant’s famous 81-point game in 2006.
Only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point performance in 1962 now stands ahead of Adebayo in the league’s all-time scoring records.
Adebayo’s extraordinary display helped Miami secure its sixth consecutive win, while Washington’s difficult season continued with a ninth straight defeat.
How did Bam Adebayo score 83 points in one game?
Adebayo took control of the game almost immediately. He scored 31 points in the opening quarter, attacking inside the paint, knocking down outside shots, and drawing frequent fouls.
His final numbers highlighted the scale of his dominance:
| Statistic | Bam Adebayo |
|---|---|
| Points | 83 |
| Field Goals | 20-for-43 |
| Three-Pointers | 7-for-22 |
| Free Throws | 36-for-43 |
| Rebounds | 9 |
| Minutes Played | 42 |
83 POINTS FOR BAM ADEBAYO.
THE SECOND-MOST EVER.
Wilt: 100
Bam: 83
Kobe: 81 pic.twitter.com/5AxI6j8m35— NBA (@NBA) March 11, 2026
The Miami centre also set two new NBA single-game records:
- Most free throws made in a game (36)
- Most free-throw attempts in a game (43)
His scoring output came in bursts throughout the night:
- First quarter: 31 points
- First half: 43 points (Miami Heat record)
- Third quarter: 19 points
- Game total: 83 points
Why was Adebayo’s performance crucial for Miami?
The Heat entered the game without several key players because of injuries. Tyler Herro (quadriceps), Norman Powell (groin), and Andrew Wiggins (toe) were all unavailable, while Kel’el Ware and Nikola Jović also missed the game.
With so many scoring options sidelined, Miami relied heavily on Adebayo to carry the offensive workload. He responded by delivering the most prolific scoring performance in the franchise’s history.
By halftime, Miami led 76–62, largely thanks to Adebayo’s 43-point first half, which already broke the previous team record for points in a half.
How does this performance rank in NBA history?
Adebayo’s 83-point display now ranks among the greatest individual scoring performances ever recorded in the NBA.
| Rank | Player | Points | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilt Chamberlain | 100 | 1962 |
| 2 | Bam Adebayo | 83 | 2026 |
| 3 | Kobe Bryant | 81 | 2006 |
The performance also broke the Miami Heat’s single-game scoring record, which had previously stood at 61 points, set by LeBron James in 2014.
What makes the achievement even more remarkable is that Adebayo’s previous career high was 41 points, recorded in January 2021 against the Brooklyn Nets.
How did the game unfold?
Miami established an early advantage and never lost control of the contest. The Heat led 40–29 after the first quarter and extended the margin to 19 points in the second before the Wizards slightly narrowed the gap before halftime.
Adebayo continued his scoring run in the third quarter. A powerful dunk with 22 seconds left in the period pushed his total to 62 points, breaking the franchise scoring record.
Entering the final quarter with the result largely secured, Miami teammates repeatedly passed the ball to Adebayo as he chased history.
He eventually surpassed Bryant’s mark when he converted two free throws with just over a minute remaining, bringing his total to 83 points.
What happened with the Washington Wizards?
Despite the defeat, rookie forward Alex Sarr led Washington with 28 points and provided the team’s main offensive spark.
The Wizards also played without star guard Trae Young, who sat out due to injury management related to a knee issue. The loss extended Washington’s losing run to nine games, leaving the team struggling for consistency this season.
