Bam Adebayo Scores 83 Points, Setting Second-Highest Total in NBA History

Hannah Price

March 11, 2026

bam adebayo

Miami, United States- Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo scored 83 points in a 150–129 victory over the Washington Wizards on March 10, setting the second-highest single-game scoring total in the history of the National Basketball Association, according to league statistics and game reports. The performance surpassed the 81-point game recorded by Kobe Bryant in 2006 and trails only the 100-point record set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1962.

Adebayo delivered the historic performance at the Kaseya Center in Miami, helping the Heat secure the win over Washington. He finished the night shooting 20-of-43 from the field, including seven three-pointers, and converted 36 of 43 free-throw attempts, setting league records for both free throws made and attempted in a single game.

The 27-year-old center scored 31 points in the opening quarter and reached 43 by halftime before pushing his total to 62 by the end of the third quarter. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra allowed Adebayo to remain in the game as he approached the record, according to postgame comments reported by sports media outlets.

The outburst set a new franchise scoring record for the Heat and marked one of the most unexpected individual scoring performances in recent NBA history. Adebayo, widely known for his defensive presence and playmaking, had previously not exceeded 50 points in a game before the performance, according to historical team statistics.

League players and analysts quickly reacted across social media and postgame interviews, noting the rarity of a center reaching such a scoring total in the modern era of the NBA. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo told reporters the achievement would remain significant regardless of how the points were accumulated, according to media coverage of postgame reactions.

The performance also pushed Adebayo past Bryant’s long-standing mark from January 2006, when the Lakers star scored 81 points in a win over the Toronto Raptors, a game that had ranked as the second-highest scoring performance in league history for two decades.

Miami’s victory improved the team’s home record and extended its winning streak, according to game reports. Washington, meanwhile, suffered another defeat amid an injury-hit stretch this season.

The record-setting game immediately entered NBA statistical history as one of the most prolific scoring nights ever recorded in professional basketball.

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