Bam Adebayo rewrote the history books on Tuesday night as the Miami Heat thrashed the Washington Wizards 150-129 at Kaseya Center. The Heat center erupted for 83 points, moving past Kobe Bryant for the second-highest scoring game in NBA history. Only Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary 100-point game now stands above Adebayo on the all-time list.
He set the tone with a staggering 31-point first quarter. He reached 43 by halftime (a new Heat record for any half) and entered the fourth quarter with 62, already having eclipsed LeBron James’ franchise record of 61.
Adebayo went 20-of-43 from the field and showed off an improved perimeter game by knocking down 7-of-22 from three-point range. In perhaps the most physically dominant aspect of the night, Adebayo set new NBA all-time records for free throws made (36) and attempted (43) in a single game.
“I wish I could relive it twice… Wilt, me, and then Kobe, which sounds crazy,” Adebayo told reporters after the game.
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Bam Adebayo Receives Praise From NBA Stars
Some of the biggest names in the basketball world flocked to the internet to congratulate the three-time NBA All-Star for the historic outing. Kevin Durant brought out the fan in himself while talking about Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game.
“I couldn’t believe it when I was hearing it in real time,” Durant said. “He got 30 in the first quarter, he got 70. Congratulations to Bam. I know how much work he puts in. I looked at his stat sheet. It’s pretty crazy: 40 shots, 43 throws, 23. That takes a lot of stamina.”
“Man, that takes a lot of energy to go out there and put those shots up but also make them, set a record and surpass Kobe as second highest scoring player in history. Damn, congrats. Huge huge accomplishment. Something we’re going to be talking about forever.”
The Los Angeles Lakers superstar, LeBron James, dropped a three-word reaction to the 83-point performance.
“BAM BAM BAM 💥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥,” James wrote.
“83?????” Dirk Nowitzki posted.
“Bro what,” Jalen Bruson wrote.
“83 Adebayo 🥶😮💨🔥,” Victor Oladipo shared.
“Chill Out @Bam1of1 YEAHHH @Bam1of1‼️‼️‼️,” Donovan Mitchell wrote.
“@Bam1of1 going CRAZY,” Karl Anthony Towns posted.
His girlfriend, Las Vegas Aces superstar and four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, was in the crowd to witness the history. She took to social media shortly after with a hilarious note of her own
“Welp won’t have the highest career high in the house anymore, but at least it gives me something to go after.” Wilson wrote.
Historic Night For Bam Adebayo
Bam outscored the entire Wizards team (29 points) by himself in the opening quarter. He tied the Heat franchise record for points in a half (41) before the second quarter even reached its midpoint. By halftime, Bam had already surpassed his previous career high of 41 points. He joined Kobe Bryant as the only players in the last 20 years to record 12+ FGs, 12+ FTs, and 5+ threes in a single half.
Adebayo is now the only player in the NBA’s play-by-play era (dating back to 1996) to record 40 points in both halves of a single game.
The most controversial and physically demanding aspect of the night was Adebayo’s record-shattering performance at the charity stripe. Frustrated by his mobility, the Wizards began sending double and triple teams to hackers’ lengths, leading to two all-time NBA records.
- Free Throws Made: 36 (Old record: 28 by Wilt Chamberlain and Adrian Dantley)
- Free Throws Attempted: 43 (Old record: 39 by Dwight Howard)
With this performance, Bam Adebayo became just the fourth center in history to score 70+ points, joining Wilt Chamberlain, David Robinson, and Joel Embiid. Bam finished the night with 83 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
