Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo delivered one of the most extraordinary performances in Professional basketball on Tuesday night, scoring 83 points in a 150‑129 victory over the Washington Wizards to record the second‑highest single‑game scoring total in NBA history.
Adebayo, a Nigerian‑American forward/center for Miami, surpassed Lakers legend Kobe Bryant’s 81‑point game from 2006 and now trails only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100‑point performance from 1962 on the all‑time scoring list.
Adebayo exploded for 31 points in the first quarter, reached 43 by halftime, and finished with 83 total points on 20‑of‑43 shooting, including 7 of 22 from three‑point range. He also added nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in 42 minutes of action.
Record Breaking Performance
Adebayo’s performance broke multiple NBA records, most notably for free throws made (36) and free throws attempted (43) in a single game — both NBA highs. These marks eclipsed long‑standing records previously set by Dwight Howard, Wilt Chamberlain and Adrian Dantley.
The Miami Heat, missing several key players due to injury, leaned heavily on Adebayo’s offense throughout the game. Despite the Heat’s comfortable lead late, head coach Erik Spoelstra kept Adebayo in the game as he ascended past historic scoring thresholds.
The achievement has sparked widespread reaction across the league and among fans, with many celebrating Adebayo’s elevation into rarefied company.
