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 Bam Adebayo scored 83 points for the second-highest single-game scoring total in NBA history 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, passing Kobe Bryant (81 points in 2006) for second on the single-game list. Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point score has been a record since 1962.
Adebayo set Heat records for highest-scoring game and highest-scoring quarter. The previous club score in a game was 61, set by LeBron James in 2014. Adebayo’s previous career high was 41, which came against the Brooklyn Nets on January 23, 2021.
In 42 minutes Tuesday, Adebayo shot 20-for-43 from the floor, 7-for-22 on 3-pointers and 36-for-43 from the free throw line. He also grabbed 9 rebounds.
Abebayo set NBA single-game records for most free throws and most free throw attempts. Chamberlain and Adrian Dantley were the previous record holders with 28 foul shots each. Dwight Howard held the record for attempts with 39, which he did twice.
The Heat have won six straight games, their longest winning streak of the season. They improved to 22-11 at home.
Adebayo’s heroics were needed 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 games in a row, five losses short of its longest decline of the season. Alex Sarr led the Wizards with 28 points.
Wizards star Trae Young has been sidelined as he manages a right knee injury.
Adebayo went 10-for-16 on field goal attempts, 5-for-8 on 3-point attempts and 6-for-7 on free throw attempts in a hot first quarter.
Miami, which led 40-29 after the first quarter, maintained the advantage with 19 points in the second quarter. However, the Wizards finished relatively well, entering the first half down 76-62.
Adebayo set another Heat record by scoring 43 points in the first half. His first half consisted of 13-of-24 shooting overall, 5-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc, and 12-of-14 accuracy from the free throw line.
His shooting eclipsed Sarr, who had 23 points at halftime.
Adebayo scored 19 points in the third, giving Miami a 113-97 lead by the end of the quarter. He broke James’ record by dunking with 22.2 seconds left in the third quarter and scoring 62 points.
In the fourth quarter, with the win assured, Miami stayed in the game with Adebayo passing the ball to him on every possession to find the score. His final two points came from the foul line with 1:16 to play as he outshot Bryant.
–Field level media
