Bam Adebayo Drops Monster Game!
Bam Adebayo exploded for 83 points (74-83) vs. the Wizards (Heat won 133-108) [https://x.com/NBA/status/2031549314674147357, https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25406382-heat-troll-bucks-over-bam-did-not-score-83-post-after-7th-straight-win-amid-nba-playoff-race]—the most points scored by a player since Kobe's 81 [https://x.com/NBA/status/2031549314674147357]! He also made 36 free throws [https://x.com/NBA/status/2031549314674147357].
Adebayo's 83-point performance against the Wizards on March 10, 2026, is the second-highest single-game total in NBA history, only surpassed by Wilt Chamberlain's 100 points in 1962. He passed Kobe Bryant's 81-point game from 2006 for the second spot. The Heat won the game 150-129. Adebayo's record-breaking night included setting new NBA records for free throws made (36) and attempted (43) in a single game. Dwight Howard previously held the record for free throw attempts with 39. Wilt Chamberlain and Adrian Dantley shared the prior record for free throws made with 28. He scored 31 points in the first quarter, 43 by halftime, and 62 by the end of the third. The Heat were missing key players such as Norman Powell and Tyler Herro due to injuries. Wizards coach Brian Keefe was not pleased with how the final minutes of the game played out. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra defended his strategy of continuing to feed Adebayo in the fourth quarter, saying, "I apologize to absolutely no one". Adebayo stated that he didn't notice the Wizards double-teaming him until he had already scored 70 points. Following the 83-point game, Adebayo scored 21 points in the Heat's next game against the Bucks. After the game, Adebayo expressed his gratitude to his teammates and coaches, saying, "Somebody had to pass me the ball". He also acknowledged the historic nature of his achievement, stating, "Wilt, me and then Kobe—which sounds crazy".
