Bam Adebayo Surpasses Kobe with 83 Points in NBA Record Book
Bam Adebayo delivered an extraordinary performance on March 10, 2026, as he scored a remarkable 83 points, leading the Miami Heat to a 150-129 victory against the Washington Wizards. This achievement marks the second-highest scoring effort in NBA history.
Bam Adebayo’s Historic Night
During the game, Adebayo showcased his skills by scoring 31 points in the first quarter. By halftime, he had reached 43 points and closed the third quarter with 62. Adebayo’s shooting statistics included 20 for 43 from the field, 36 for 43 from the free-throw line, and 7 for 22 from beyond the arc, all in 42 minutes of play.
Setting New Records
Adebayo is notable for becoming the first player to score over 70 points in a game while shooting below 50% from the field. His 36 made free throws and 43 free throw attempts also set NBA records for a single game. He broke the record on a free throw with just 1:16 remaining in the fourth quarter.
- Previous Free Throw Records:
- Attempts: 39, held by Dwight Howard.
- Makes: 28, set by Wilt Chamberlain and Adrian Dantley.
Wilt Chamberlain achieved 28 free throws during his 100-point game in 1962, the only game to surpass Adebayo’s scoring night.
Adebayo Surpasses Kobe Bryant
With this incredible performance, Adebayo surpassed his idol, Kobe Bryant, whose highest scoring game was 81 points. This season, Adebayo is averaging 4.8 free throw attempts per game, as noted by ESPN. He also became the first player since Bryant in 2006 to achieve at least 12 field goals, 12 free throws, and five three-pointers in a single game.
Team Performance
The Miami Heat, now boasting a 37-29 record, has won their last six games and reached a season-best eight games above .500. Other notable contributions came from Simone Fontecchio, who added 18 points. The Heat played without key players, including Norman Powell, Tyler Herro, and Andrew Wiggins.
On the opposing side, the Washington Wizards lost for the ninth consecutive time. Alex Sarr led the Wizards with 28 points, while Will Riley contributed 22 and Jaden Hardy added 17. The team was missing their star player, Trae Young, due to knee management issues.
