Bam Adebayo Scores 83 Points — March 10, 2026

On March 10, 2026, Bam Adebayo delivered one of the most unexpected and historic scoring performances in NBA history. The Miami Heat center scored 83 points in a 150-129 victory over the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center in Miami.

Adebayo's 83 points moved him past Kobe Bryant's legendary 81-point performance from January 22, 2006. At the end of the night, only Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game on March 2, 1962 stood above Adebayo on the NBA's single-game scoring list.

The performance was particularly stunning because Adebayo entered the night with a career high of only 41 points. By halftime, he had already surpassed that mark.

Adebayo finished 20-of-43 from the field, made 7-of-22 three-pointers and converted an NBA-record 36 free throws on 43 attempts. He added 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots in 41:54.

Halftime: Miami 76, Washington 62
Through three quarters: Miami 113, Washington 97
Final: Miami 150, Washington 129
Largest Miami lead: 28 points
Lead changes: 0
Times tied: 5

Washington shooting: 51.7% FG, 41.7% 3PT, 75.9% FT. Alex Sarr led the Wizards with 28 points in only 19:40, while Will Riley added 22.

Miami shooting: 50.0% FG, 30.2% 3PT, 79.7% FT. Adebayo scored 83 of Miami's 150 points, accounting for 55.3 percent of the Heat's entire offensive output.

There was little indication before tipoff that Adebayo was about to produce one of the greatest scoring games in league history. He entered the night averaging 18.9 points and had never scored more than 41 in an NBA game.

That changed almost immediately.

Adebayo scored Miami's first basket only 17 seconds into the game and then hit a three-pointer to give the Heat their first five points. By the end of the opening quarter, he had scored 31 of Miami's 40 points.

Adebayo had actually outscored the entire Washington team by himself through 12 minutes, 31-29.

The 31-point period established a Miami Heat franchise record for points in a first quarter and immediately turned an ordinary March regular-season game into a potential historic night.

Adebayo began the second quarter on the bench and did not return for several minutes, yet he still added another 12 points before halftime.

Late in the second quarter, he reached 40 points. With 41 seconds remaining, Adebayo converted a layup while being fouled and moved past his previous career high of 41.

He completed the three-point play to reach 43.

Miami entered halftime leading 76-62, with Adebayo responsible for more than half of the Heat's points. His career high had already been broken, but the historic portion of the night was only beginning.

Adebayo added 19 points during the third quarter, bringing his total to 62 through 36 minutes.

That pushed him past the previous Miami Heat single-game scoring record of 61 points, established by LeBron James against the Charlotte Bobcats on March 3, 2014.

At that point, Adebayo had already doubled his usual scoring output and owned the highest-scoring performance in Heat history. The only question remaining was how high the total could climb.

Adebayo opened the fourth quarter by making two free throws, giving him 64 points. He soon reached 70, becoming the 11th player in NBA history to score at least 70 points in a game.

As the total continued to rise, Kobe Bryant's famous 81-point game moved within reach. Miami increasingly looked for Adebayo on offense while Washington attempted to keep the ball away from him.

With 1:37 remaining, Adebayo made two free throws to reach 80 and 81 points, tying Bryant's total from his historic January 22, 2006 performance against Toronto.

The next milestone came moments later.

Adebayo was fouled again with just over a minute remaining. He made the first free throw for point No. 82, moving past Bryant and into sole possession of second place on the NBA's single-game scoring list.

He made the second for No. 83.

Miami soon removed him from the game to a standing ovation from the Kaseya Center crowd.

For two decades, Wilt Chamberlain's 100 and Kobe Bryant's 81 stood alone as the two highest individual scoring totals in NBA history. Adebayo inserted himself between them with 83.

Adebayo's scoring total was not the only historic part of the night. His repeated trips to the foul line produced two NBA single-game records.

Adebayo attempted 43 free throws, breaking the previous single-game record of 39 attempts held by Dwight Howard.

He made 36 free throws, also establishing a new NBA record. The previous record was 28 made free throws, shared by Wilt Chamberlain and Adrian Dantley.

Adebayo therefore scored 36 of his 83 points at the line. He added 40 points on two-point field goals and 21 points from his seven made three-pointers.

What makes the performance especially unusual is the player who produced it.

Adebayo had built his NBA reputation primarily through defense, rebounding, versatility and playmaking rather than enormous individual scoring totals. Before this game, his career high was 41 points.

His 83-point performance therefore more than doubled his previous personal best.

He also attempted 22 three-pointers against Washington. Seven went in, setting another personal high and adding an unexpected dimension to a scoring performance dominated by free throws and aggressive attacks toward the basket.

Adebayo scored 83 of Miami's 150 points, or 55.3 percent of the Heat's total.

No other Miami player scored 20 points. Simone Fontecchio was the team's second-leading scorer with 18, while Davion Mitchell added 12 and Pelle Larsson scored 10.

The remaining Heat players combined for 67 points. Adebayo scored 16 more points by himself than the rest of Miami's roster combined.

Miami also played without several notable players. Tyler Herro, Norman Powell, Nikola Jovic and Kel'el Ware did not dress for the game.

Washington's offense was productive despite being overshadowed by Adebayo's performance. The Wizards scored 129 points while shooting 51.7 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from three-point range.

Alex Sarr led Washington with 28 points on 12-of-19 shooting despite playing only 19:40. Will Riley scored 22 points, while Tre Johnson and Jaden Hardy each added 17.

Washington committed 24 turnovers, however, and Miami converted those mistakes into 31 points. The Heat also held a 64-50 advantage in points in the paint and scored 22 fast-break points to Washington's five.

By the end of the night, Adebayo had rewritten several different sections of the NBA record book.

His 83 points were the second-most ever scored in an NBA game. He passed Kobe Bryant's 81, broke the Miami Heat single-game scoring record, more than doubled his previous career high and established league records for both free throws made and attempted.

He scored 31 points in the first quarter, 43 in the first half, 62 through three quarters and finished with 83.

The final stat line — 83 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks — immediately became one of the strangest and most memorable individual box scores in NBA history.

Date: March 10, 2026
Final Score: Miami Heat 150, Washington Wizards 129
Arena: Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida
Attendance: 19,700
Officials: Ben Taylor, Pat Fraher and Dedric Taylor

Bam Adebayo: 41:54, 20-of-43 FG, 7-of-22 3PT, 36-of-43 FT, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 5 turnovers and 83 points.

Miami: 45-of-90 FG (.500), 13-of-43 3PT (.302), 47-of-59 FT (.797), 48 rebounds, 31 assists, 16 steals, 5 blocks and 17 turnovers.

Washington: 46-of-89 FG (.517), 15-of-36 3PT (.417), 22-of-29 FT (.759), 35 rebounds, 25 assists, 6 steals, 3 blocks and 24 turnovers.

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