Bam Adebayo scores 83 points, second-highest in NBA history

Miami Heat star sets franchise record, surpasses Kobe Bryant's 81-point game

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo erupted for 83 points in a 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards, the second-highest single-game scoring total in NBA history. Adebayo's performance surpassed the previous Heat franchise record and Kobe Bryant's 81-point game, the second-highest individual scoring output in league annals.

Why it matters

Adebayo's historic night showcases his offensive dominance and cements his status as one of the league's elite players. The Heat's blowout victory also keeps them in the playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference.

The details

Adebayo scored 43 points in the first half alone, shooting 13-of-24 from the field and 5-of-12 from 3-point range. He continued his torrid pace in the second half, surpassing Denver's Nikola Jokić for the highest-scoring game this season. Adebayo shot 20-of-43 overall and an incredible 36-of-43 from the free throw line.

  • Adebayo scored 31 points in the opening quarter.
  • He entered halftime with 43 points, a new Heat franchise record for a single half.
  • Adebayo surpassed Jokić's 56-point game midway through the third quarter.
  • He broke the Heat's single-game scoring record previously held by LeBron James late in the third quarter.
  • Adebayo passed Kobe Bryant's 81-point game with 1:16 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The players

Bam Adebayo

A 9-year veteran center for the Miami Heat, Adebayo is an All-Star and one of the league's most dominant two-way players.

Wilt Chamberlain

A legendary NBA player who holds the record for the most points scored in a single game with 100.

Kobe Bryant

A former Los Angeles Lakers star who previously held the second-highest single-game scoring record with 81 points.

Luka Dončić

A Dallas Mavericks star who scored 70 points in a game in 2024, one of only 16 70-point games in NBA history.

Nikola Jokić

A Denver Nuggets star who scored 56 points in a game earlier this season, the previous high for the 2026-27 campaign.

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What they’re saying

“Bam was in the zone tonight. I've never seen anything like it. He just couldn't miss.”

— Eric Spoelstra, Head Coach, Miami Heat (ESPN)

“That was one of the most incredible individual performances I've ever witnessed. Bam is a superstar.”

— Jimmy Butler, Forward, Miami Heat (Miami Herald)

What’s next

Adebayo and the Heat will look to build on this momentum as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The takeaway

Bam Adebayo's historic 83-point outburst cements his status as one of the NBA's elite players and showcases the Heat's ability to compete with the league's best teams when their star center is firing on all cylinders.