Home / NBA BAM, BAM, BAM! Awesome Adebayo moves second on all-time list with 83 points as Miami thrash Washington Bam Adebayo enjoyed a remarkable night for the Miami Heat against the Washington Wizards Written by Jon Fisher Last Update: March 11, 2026 09:57:39 am GMT 3 min read Bam Adebayo described his 83-point night against the Washington Wizards as surreal. Adebayos effort for the Miami Heat moved him second on the all-time list of points scored in an NBA game, behind only Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 100 in 1962. Kobe Bryant, who remains one of Adebayos inspirations, is now third with 81.The 28-year-old finished 20-of-43 from the field, 36-of-43 from the foul line and 7-for-22 from 3-point range as the Wizards were brushed aside 150-129.With the game won long before the buzzer, the night became more and more about Adebayo.For me, it was just remaining calm, remaining locked in and understanding that I can go for something special, Adebayo said. I didnt 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.Wilt, me, then Kobe. It sounds crazy.Table of Contents1 We are blessed to have witnessed that Heat coach Spoelstra2 James hails brilliant Adebayo3 Top 10 single-game scores in NBA historyWe are blessed to have witnessed that Heat coach SpoelstraAdebayo scored 31 points in a blistering first quarter and had 43 at half-time.An absolutely surreal night, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. Obviously, weve been blessed to have been part of a lot of big moments in this arena. This one, it just happened. Moments happen and Im grateful that were all able to be a part of it and witness it.It was a chastening night for the Wizards, whose 29th-ranked defense was hopelessly outmatched.Youve got to give him credit, Wizards coach Brian Keefe said. 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 cant explain some of those calls. Thats all I got to say on that.James hails brilliant AdebayoAdebayo now has the Heats single-game record, which had been held by LeBron James, who scored 61 in 2014.James wrote on X: BAM, BAM, BAM.Houstons Kevin Durant, another long-time star in the NBA and Adebayos USA team-mate, added his praise, saying: I looked at the stat sheet. It was pretty crazy: 40 shots, 40 free throws, 20 3s, that 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. I mean, damn. Congrats to him. Huge, huge accomplishment, something were going to be talking about forever.Top 10 single-game scores in NBA historyPlayerPointsGameDate1. Wilt Chamberlain100PHILADELPHIA v New YorkMarch 2, 19622. Bam Adebayo83MIAMI v WashingtonMarch 10, 20263. Kobe Bryant81LOS ANGELES LAKERS v TorontoJan 22, 20064. Wilt Chamberlain78PHILADELPHIA v Los Angeles LakersDec 8, 19615. Luka Doncic73DALLAS v AtlantaJan 26, 20246. Wilt Chamberlain73PHILADELPHIA v ChicagoJan 13, 19627. Wilt Chamberlain73SAN FRANCISCO v New YorkNov 16, 19628. David Thompson73DENVER v DetroitApril 9, 19789. Wilt Chamberlain72SAN FRANCISCO v Los Angeles LakersNov 3, 196210. Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, David Robinson, Elgin BaylorAll 71 Topics: Bam Adebayo Miami Heat Washington Wizards Follow us: Jon Fisher Jon has over 20 years' experience in sports journalism having worked at the Press Association, Goal and Stats Perform, covering three World Cups, an Olympics and numerous other major sporting events. Read more from Jon Fisher
