March 10, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) reacts after becoming the second-leading scorer in the NBA during a game against the Washington Wizards at the Kaseya Center. Adebayo scored 83 points. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Image Bucks coach Doc Rivers started his postgame press conference Tuesday night with a question.
“Is it true that humans scored 83 tonight?” Rivers asked.
Of course the answer is yes. Miami’s Bam Adebayo scored 83 points in Tuesday night’s win over Washington, giving the Heat center the second-highest scoring game in NBA history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points in 1962.
“Wow,” Rivers said of Adebayo on Tuesday. “I can’t believe it. He’s the one playing next. Now I get to see the prep tape. It looks like fun.”
In fact, Milwaukee is scheduled to visit Miami on Thursday night. To use a word Rivers mentioned, it will be “interesting” to see what Adebayo can do for an encore in two nights after playing 42 minutes. Maybe he’ll tire against the Bucks, who have lost six of their last seven games.
With all going well, the Bucks are led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has missed 30 of Milwaukee’s 64 games this season due to injury.
Antetokounmpo, who finished seventh in NBA MVP voting for the ninth straight season, has played in four of the Bucks’ last five games, logging 32 minutes in Tuesday’s 129-114 loss to Phoenix.
However, there were several injury concerns related to Antetokounmpo in that game as well.
Rivers said he was “scared” after Antetokounmpo went down in the first half. “But he said he was fine. He just tripped on a guy’s foot and fell, and (later) got hit in the groin.”
Additionally, Antetokounmpo, who scored 22 points against the Suns, had to ‘wind’ to keep up with the fast pace of Phoenix.
This is understandable, as Antetokounmpo missed 15 straight games before his health improved recently.
Overall, Rivers expressed concerns about Milwaukee’s depth due to injuries to Kevin Porter Jr. (knee), Bobby Portis (back) and Jericho Sims (knee).
Antetokounmpo leads Milwaukee in scoring (27.4) and rebounds (9.8). Porter leads the team in assists (7.4) and steals (2.2). Portis, who averages 13.3 points, brings strength to the team.
Kyle Kuzma, who averages 13.4 points, scored 33 points against Phoenix.
Myles Turner could be tasked with guarding Adebayo, who is averaging 20.0 points, third on the Heat behind Norman Powell (22.6) and Tyler Herro (22.1). Andrew Wiggins is fourth on the Heat in scoring (15.9).
On Tuesday, all three players except Adebayo were sidelined due to injury: Powell (groin), Herro (quadriceps), and Wiggins (toe).
Powell and Wiggins are listed as out for Thursday, but Herro is available every day.
The Heat, who have won six straight and tied a season high, may need some more heroics from Adebayo on Thursday. Still, it’s probably safe to say he won’t reach 83 points, two more than Kobe Bryant’s career high.
“I feel dizzy,” Adebayo said after Tuesday’s game. “Wilt, me and Kobe, this is crazy. It’s surreal to be with Kobe, who I idolized growing up.”
Basketball purists might be upset that Adebayo stayed in his seat almost the entire 150-129 blowout just to chase down Bryant, but Heat coach Erik Spoelstra offered no apologies.
“When Bam turned 50, I said, ‘Okay, maybe I can make it to 60.’” Even when he was 60, he kept going,” Spoelstra said. “I might as well get to 70. “I didn’t even dare to think about taking him out.”
Spoelstra said Adebayo is one of the top three two-way players in the NBA.
“This is a moment we will never forget,” Spoelstra said. “You love him and you want good things for the people you really love. It’s a really great night for him, his family and the Heat fan base.”
–Field level media
