Bam Adebayo Scores 83 Points in Heat Win

Bam Adebayo scored 83 points, the second-best scoring effort in NBA history, carrying the Miami Heat to a 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night. Adebayo had an incredible performance, with 31 points in the first quarter, 43 by halftime, and 62 by the end of the third quarter. He finished 20 for 43 from the field, 36 for 43 from the foul line, and 7 for 22 from 3-point range in 42 minutes on the court.

Adebayo set new NBA records for free throws made and attempted in a single game. The previous record for attempts was 39 by Dwight Howard, while the record for free throws made was 28, set by Wilt Chamberlain and Adrian Dantley. Adebayo passed his basketball idol, Kobe Bryant, who had previously held the second-highest scoring game ever with 81 points.

The Miami Heat have won six straight games and moved a season-best eight games over .500. The team was without several key players, including Norman Powell (groin), Tyler Herro (quadriceps), Nikola Jovic (back), and Andrew Wiggins (toe). Simone Fontecchio scored 18 points for Miami.

The Washington Wizards were without Trae Young due to right knee injury management. Alex Sarr had 28 points for the Wizards, while Will Riley added 22 and Jaden Hardy scored 17. The loss extended the Wizards' losing streak to nine games.

Adebayo's performance surpassed LeBron James' previous Heat single-game scoring mark of 61 points, set on March 3, 2014. Denver's Nikola Jokic had the previous season high in the NBA this season with 56 points.

Adebayo became the first player to score 70-plus points in a game while shooting below 50% from the field. He also became the first player with at least 12 made field goals, 12 made free throws, and five made 3-pointers in a single game since Bryant's 81-point game against Toronto in 2006.

An absolutely surreal night, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. Obviously, we’ve been blessed to have been part of a lot of big moments in this arena. This one, it just happened. Moments happen and I’m grateful that we’re all able to be a part of it and witness it.

Adebayo was in tears as he hugged his mother, Marilyn Blount, before leaving the floor after the game. For me, it was just remaining calm, remaining locked in and understanding that I can go for something special, Adebayo said. I didn’t think it was going to be 83. But to have this moment is surreal, because like I said, man, to be able to do it at home, in front of my mom, in front of my people, in front of the home fans, this is a mark in history that will forever be remembered.

Wizards coach Brian Keefe commented on Adebayo's performance: You’ve got to give him credit. In the first half he shot the ball terrific, he scored the ball really well. Obviously, he came out and had a little bit in the third, too. They obviously kept him in the game, and there was a lot of fouls called — 16 free throws in the fourth quarter. I was trying to take the ball out of his hands, he still got some free throws 40 feet from the rim. I can’t explain some of those calls.

Kevin Durant, Houston star and Adebayo's USA Basketball teammate, praised Adebayo's stamina and energy: It takes a lot of stamina, man. It takes a lot of energy to go out there and put those shots up and also make them, set a record, surpass Kobe as the second highest-scoring player in the history of the game.

Adebayo's 31 points in the opening quarter broke the Heat record for points in any quarter. He finished the first half with 43 points, setting a team record for any half and surpassing his previous career high set against Brooklyn on January 23, 2021.

Heat managing general partner Micky Arison congratulated Adebayo after the game. The nets were cut down as souvenirs, and A'ja Wilson, Adebayo's longtime girlfriend and four-time WNBA MVP, was visibly moved by his performance.