Tonight Bam Adebayo scored 83 points against the Washington Wizards — surpassing Kobe Bryant's 81-point game from January 22, 2006 and placing him second on the NBA's all-time single-game scoring list behind Wilt Chamberlain's 100 points on March 2, 1962. The Miami Heat won 148–122.
The Box Score
Adebayo finished with 83 points on 20-of-43 from the field (46.5%), 7-of-22 from three-point range (31.8%), and 36-of-43 from the free throw line (83.7%). He drew fouls on 25 separate possessions. He also recorded 9 rebounds (1 offensive, 8 defensive), 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and 5 turnovers in a +23 plus/minus. He played the full game.
His point totals by quarter: 40 points in the first quarter, 36 in the second, 37 in the third, and 35 in the fourth. The Heat led by as many as 28 points. Adebayo drew 25 personal fouls from Wizards defenders — the free throw volume was the engine of the night. He went to the line 43 times and converted 36, adding 26 points in the paint and 8 fast break points to his total.
Shooting Breakdown
Of Adebayo's 43 field goal attempts, 32 were in the paint (26 at the rim, finishing 81.3% there on 21-of-26). He went 13-of-21 on two-point jumpers and mid-range attempts, and attempted 22 threes, converting 7. His true shooting percentage for the game was 66.3% on 61.04 true shooting attempts. His effective field goal percentage was 54.7%.
Historical Context
The all-time single-game NBA scoring records:
- Wilt Chamberlain — 100 points, Philadelphia Warriors vs. New York Knicks, March 2, 1962
- Bam Adebayo — 83 points, Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards, March 10, 2026
- Kobe Bryant — 81 points, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Toronto Raptors, January 22, 2006
- Wilt Chamberlain — 78 points, Philadelphia Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers, December 8, 1961
- Wilt Chamberlain — 73 points, Philadelphia Warriors vs. Chicago Packers, January 13, 1962
Adebayo's 83 points also set a new record for the most points scored by a center in a single game in NBA history, surpassing Chamberlain's 100 — which was also set by a center. Among positions, prior to tonight the record for a center in the modern era (post-1980) was held by Shaquille O'Neal with 61 points on March 6, 2000.
Team Context
The Heat shot 45-of-88 from the field (51.1%) as a team, 13-of-43 from three (30.2%), and 45-of-55 from the free throw line (81.8%). Miami scored 64 points in the paint, 22 fast break points, and 19 second-chance points. The team committed 14 turnovers but converted Washington's 24 turnovers into 31 points. Miami's offensive rating for the game was 131.9 points per 100 possessions.
Washington finished 44-of-86 from the field (51.2%) and committed 24 turnovers. Alex Sarr led the Wizards with 28 points on 12-of-19 shooting. Will Riley added 22 and Tre Johnson 17. The Wizards' defensive rating for the game was 131.9 — they gave up 1.32 points per possession.
Supporting Cast
Adebayo accounted for 56.1% of Miami's 148 points. The remaining Heat scorers: Simone Fontecchio 18 points (6-of-7 FG, 3-of-4 from three), Davion Mitchell 12 points, Pelle Larsson 10, Dru Smith 5, Jaime Jaquez Jr. 5, Kasparas Jakucionis 5, and Myron Gardner 4.
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