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Bam Adebayo scored 83 points, surpassing Kobe Bryant for the second-highest scoring game in NBA history
He set records for most free throws made (36) and attempted (43) in a single game
Adebayo’s performance helped the Miami Heat secure a 150-129 victory over the Washington Wizards
Bam Adebayo played a historic game against the Washington Wizards!
On Tuesday, March 10, the Miami Heat center, 28, scored 83 points against the Wizards, surpassing the late Kobe Bryant‘s record for the second-highest-scoring game in NBA history.
Adebayo overtook Bryant’s record of 81 points, which the late L.A. Lakers legend set on Jan. 22, 2006, in a game against the Toronto Raptors. Now, the Heat center is second only to Wilt Chamberlain, whose 100-point game has remained in the top spot since 1962, according to the BBC.
The Heats star has been candid about Bryant being one of his heroes, and he acknowledged the surreal moment of breaking his record following the game. “Just a surreal moment, being in the company with somebody I idolized growing up,” Adebayo said, according to the NBA.
The game ended up being a historic one on multiple counts. Adebayo also made 36 of his 43 free-throws, earning him the record for the most successful free-throws made in a single NBA game, as well as the most free-throw attempts.
Dwight Howard was the previous record holder for most free-throw attempts with 39, which he achieved twice, per Sky Sports.
Chamberlain and Adrian Dantley previously held the record for most free-throws made in a game with 28.
Following the Miami Heat’s 150-129 win against the Wizards, the NBA celebrated Adebayo’s historic night.
Bam Adebayo after winning against the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center on March 10, 2026 in Miami, Florida
Credit: Megan Briggs/Getty
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“83 POINTS FOR BAM ADEBAYO. THE SECOND-MOST EVER,” the NBA wrote in a post on X.
“Wilt: 100 Bam: 83 Kobe: 81,” the NBA added.
Speaking at a press conference, Adebayo marveled at his remarkable achievement.
“It’s Wilt, me, then Kobe, which sounds crazy,” he said, per the BBC.
Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat celebrates with teammates after a 150-129 win against the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center on March 10, 2026 in Miami, Florida
Credit: Megan Briggs/Getty
He added that it was “special moment,” admitting he “really got emotional” once he realized the record he had broken.
“I wish I could relive it twice,” Adebayo said.
Adebayo went on to pay tribute to his family. “They’ve seen me at the lowest, at the bottom of the bottom, trying to figure out how to really pick myself up.”
“To have this moment and share it with all of them, it’s a pretty emotional moment,” he concluded.
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