Bam Adebayo’s 83 points passes Kobe Bryant for 2nd-most in NBA history
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MIAMI, FL - MARCH 8: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat dribbles the ball during the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 8, 2026 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Only 10 players in NBA history had ever scored 70 points in a single game. Only Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant had ever scored 80 points in a game. Bam Adebayo broke both barriers on Tuesday night as his Miami Heat blasted the Washington Wizards 150-129 at home in one of the most shocking individual scoring displays in league history.

Adebayo scored 83 points in the Heat win. It’s the second-highest scoring game in NBA history. Miami started fouling on purpose late in the fourth quarter to get the ball back and give Adebayo more field goal attempts. They were even missing free throws on purpose late in the fourth quarter to get Adebayo more chances.

Adebayo’s career-high was 41 points coming into the night. The NBA season-high was 56 points by Nikola Jokic. Against Washington, Adebayo broke his career-high by the end of the first half and the NBA’s season-high before the end of the third quarter. Adebayo scored 31 points in the first quarter, and had 43 points heading into the halftime break. Adebayo scored 19 more points in the third quarter to give him 62 going into the fourth.

Here’s the bucket that gave him 70:

BAM ADEBAYO HAS 70 POINTS.

11TH PLAYER IN NBA HISTORY. pic.twitter.com/Wa1XftkOQT

— NBA (@NBA) March 11, 2026

Here’s the bucket that gave him 62 points, which tied him with Kobe Bryant for the most ever through three quarters:

62 POINTS FOR BAM ADEBAYO 🚨

BREAKS LEBRON'S HEAT RECORD OF 61 🚨

TIES KOBE FOR MOST POINTS THROUGH 3 QUARTERS IN PLAY-BY-PLAY ERA 🚨 pic.twitter.com/eKHtomSsvf

— NBA (@NBA) March 11, 2026

Here’s the bucket that gave him the NBA’s season-high scoring mark, surpassing Nikola Jokic’s 56 points on Christmas day:

57 FOR BAM.

NBA SEASON-HIGH.

It's still the 3rd quarter 🤯 pic.twitter.com/sRrHY9akw4

— NBA (@NBA) March 11, 2026

And here’s highlights from Adebayo’s 43-point first half.

43 POINT FIRST HALF FOR BAM ADEBAYO.

🚨 31 points in the 1st quarter
🚨 Career-high for a game, in just 1 half
🚨 2nd highest-scoring half in NBA since 1997-98 pic.twitter.com/vTqzEBmAWN

— NBA (@NBA) March 11, 2026

Adebayo was only averaging 18.9 points per game coming into the night. He’s always been better known for his defense.

The Wizards are one of the league’s biggest tankers, but this is special even for them.

Bam Adebayo now has the second-most points in NBA history. Think about that.



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