Bam Adebayo scores 83 points, passes Kobe Bryant for second-most in NBA

Miami Heat player’s historic night is second behind the famous Wilt Chamberlain who scored 100 points back in 1962.

Bam Adebayo produced the second-highest single-game scoring ‌total in NBA history, putting up 83 points as hosts Miami Heat beat the ⁠Washington Wizards 150-129 on ⁠Tuesday night.

The 28-year-old centre scored 31 points in the first quarter en route to passing Kobe Bryant (81 points in 2006) for second place on the single-game list. Wilt Chamberlain’s ⁠100-point outing has stood as the record since March 2, 1962.

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Adebayo set Heat records for the highest-scoring game and the highest-scoring quarter. The old club mark for a game was 61 points, set in ⁠2014 by LeBron James. Adebayo’s previous career best was 41 on January 23, 2021, against the Brooklyn Nets.

In 42 minutes on Tuesday, Adebayo shot 20-for-43 from the floor, 7-for-22 from 3-point range and 36-for-43 at the free-throw line. He also grabbed nine rebounds.

Abebayo set NBA single-game records for most free throws made and most ‌free-throw attempts. Chamberlain and Adrian Dantley were the prior record-holders for made foul shots, with 28 each. Dwight Howard had the old mark for attempts of 39, which he reached twice.

The Heat earned their sixth straight win, matching their longest streak of the season. They improved to 22-11 at home.

Adebayo’s heroics were needed because Miami was without three of its top four scorers due to injuries: Tyler Herro (quadriceps), Norman Powell (groin) and Andrew Wiggins (toe). The Heat were also without Kel’el Ware (shoulder) ⁠and Nikola Jovic (back).

Washington has lost nine straight games, five short of its ⁠longest skid of the season. Alex Sarr led the Wizards with 28 points.

Wizards star Trae Young sat out due to injury management related to his right knee.

Adebayo shot 20-for-43 from the field in the history-making performance [Megan Briggs /Getty Images via AFP]

Adebayo, in his blistering-hot first quarter, shot 10-for-16 on field-goal attempts, 5-for-8 on 3-point tries and ⁠6-of-7 on free-throw attempts.

Miami, which led 40-29 after the first quarter, stretched its advantage to 19 points in the second. However, the Wizards closed ⁠relatively well, going into halftime trailing 76-62.

Adebayo had 43 points in ⁠the first half, another Heat record. His first half came on 13-of-24 shooting overall, 5-of-11 success from beyond the arc and 12-of-14 accuracy at the free-throw line.

His shooting overshadowed Sarr, who had 23 points at halftime.

Adebayo scored 19 points in the ‌third, giving Miami a 113-97 lead by the end of the quarter. He dunked with 22.2 seconds left in the third, giving him 62 points and breaking James’s record.

In the fourth quarter, with the ‌victory ‌assured, Miami kept Adebayo in the game, passing the ball to him on every possession as he hunted for records. His last two points came from the foul line with 1:16 to go as he surpassed Bryant.

Adebayo, right, celebrates with his Miami Heat teammates at Kaseya Center after the game [Megan Briggs/Getty Images via AFP]