The historic night of the Miami Heat player is the second behind the famous Wilt Chamberlain who scored 100 points back in 1962.
Posted on March 11, 2026
Bam Adebayo produced the second-highest single-game scoring total in NBA history, scoring 83 points as the host Miami Heat beat the Washington Wizards 150-129 on Tuesday night.
The 28-year-old center scored 31 points in the first quarter on his way to surpassing Kobe Bryant (81 points in 2006) for second place on the singles game list. Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point outing has stood as the record since March 2, 1962.
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Adebayo set Heat records for highest scoring game and fourth highest scoring game. The club’s old mark per game was 61 points, set in 2014 by LeBron James. Adebayo’s previous career best was 41 on January 23, 2021, against the Brooklyn Nets.
In 42 minutes on Tuesday, Adebayo was 20 of 43 from the field, 7 of 22 from 3-point range and 36 of 43 at the free throw line. He also grabbed nine rebounds.
Abebayo set single-game NBA records for most free throws made and most free throw attempts. Chamberlain and Adrian Dantley were the previous record holders for free throws, with 28 each. Dwight Howard had the old mark of 39 attempts, which he reached twice.
The Heat earned their sixth consecutive victory, matching their longest streak of the season. They improved to 22-11 at home.
Adebayo’s heroics were necessary because Miami was without three of its top four scorers due to injuries: Tyler Herro (quadriceps), Norman Powell (groin) and Andrew Wiggins (toe). The Heat were also without Kel’el Ware (shoulder) and Nikola Jovic (back).
Washington has lost nine straight games, five shy of its longest streak of the season. Alex Sarr led the Wizards with 28 points.
Wizards star Trae Young was lost due to an injury related to his right knee.
Adebayo, in his fiery first quarter, was 10 of 16 on field goal attempts, 5 of 8 on 3-point attempts and 6 of 7 on free throw attempts.
Miami, which led 40-29 after the first quarter, extended its lead to 19 points in the second. However, the Wizards closed relatively well, going into halftime trailing 76-62.
Adebayo scored 43 points in the first half, another Heat record. His first half came with 13 of 24 shooting overall, 5 of 11 from beyond the arc and 12 of 14 accuracy at the free throw line.
His shooting eclipsed Sarr, who scored 23 points at halftime.
Adebayo scored 19 points in the third, giving Miami a 113-97 lead at the end of the quarter. He made a dunk with 22.2 seconds left in the third, giving him 62 points and breaking James’ record.
In the fourth quarter, with the “victory” assured, Miami kept Adebayo in the game, passing him the ball on every possession while going for records. His last two points came from the foul line with 1:16 left to beat Bryant.
