Bam Adebayo’s Historic 83-Point Game: A Novel NBA Record

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo etched his name into the NBA record books on Tuesday, March 11, 2026, with a stunning 83-point performance against the Washington Wizards. The feat places him second all-time for points scored in a single game, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary 100-point outing .

A Night of Records

Adebayo’s performance wasn’t just about the total points; it was a record-breaking night in multiple categories. He shattered the previous NBA record for free throws made in a game, sinking 36 of 43 attempts, surpassing the previous mark of 28 held by Wilt Chamberlain and Adrian Dantley . He similarly attempted a record-breaking 43 free throws, exceeding Dwight Howard’s previous high of 39 .

Surpassing Legends

With 83 points, Adebayo surpassed Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game, which had stood as the second-highest single-game total for approximately two decades . His previous career high was 41 points, making this performance a monumental leap .

Game Context and Team Support

The Heat were already dominating the Wizards when Adebayo began his scoring spree and the team actively worked to obtain him opportunities to score, recognizing the historic nature of his performance .

Final Stats

Adebayo’s final stat line for the game was as follows: 20 of 43 from the field, 7 of 22 from three-point range, and 36 of 43 from the free-throw line .

Reaction and Legacy

“Wilt, me, then Kobe,” Adebayo remarked, expressing his disbelief at joining such esteemed company . Heat coach Erik Spoelstra described the night as “surreal” . The game is expected to be remembered for its unexpectedness and the new benchmarks set in free-throw shooting .