Heat's Bam Adebayo wins Player of the Week after 83-point game

The Miami Heat center's historic scoring outburst led to the NBA's most obvious weekly award selection.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:55pm

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Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week after scoring 83 points in a single game, the second-highest single-game scoring total in NBA history. Adebayo's performance came in a recent game against the Washington Wizards, where he showcased his elite scoring ability and challenged Kobe Bryant's long-standing record.

Why it matters

Adebayo is primarily known for his defensive prowess, so his 83-point explosion was a surprising and historic achievement that demonstrated the full breadth of his skills. The award also highlights the Heat's recent success, as they look to secure a top seed in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The details

Adebayo's 83-point game against the Wizards was the second-highest single-game scoring total in NBA history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point performance. The game sparked debate about the ethics of Adebayo and the Heat's methods, but it was still a remarkable individual accomplishment for the multi-time All-Star. The Heat are currently in a tight race with the Orlando Magic for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.

  • Adebayo scored 83 points in a recent game against the Washington Wizards.
  • The NBA announced its Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week on Monday.

The players

Bam Adebayo

A Miami Heat center who is a multi-time All-Star, known primarily for his defensive prowess, but showcased his elite scoring ability with an 83-point game.

Luka Doncic

A Los Angeles Lakers star who won the Western Conference Player of the Week award.

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What they’re saying

“While Adebayo is a multi-time All-Star and has had his fair share of scoring nights, few could have predicted that he would be the player to even challenge, let alone break, Kobe Bryant's mark of 81 points for the second-highest scoring game in league history.”

— Marc Stein, League Insider (X, formerly Twitter)

What’s next

The Heat will next take the floor on Tuesday evening for an important game vs the Charlotte Hornets.

The takeaway

Bam Adebayo's historic 83-point game not only earned him the most obvious Player of the Week award, but it also demonstrated the full breadth of his skills and highlighted the Heat's recent success as they jockey for playoff position in the Eastern Conference.