Wham Bam! Adebayo's 83 points eclipses Kobe record

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Bam Adebayo delivered one of the greatest scoring performances in NBA history, pouring in 83 points as the Miami Heat defeated the Washington Wizards 150–129 in Miami on March 11, 2026 (AEDT).

The 28-year-old All-Star produced the second-highest single-game scoring total ever recorded, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s iconic 100-point game in 1962. Adebayo surpassed Kobe Bryant’s previous No.2 mark of 81 with a relentless four-quarter assault that left the Wizards with no answers.

“My mind is like, what would he (Bryant) say to me? Bam said.

“Cause I’ve always wanted to have a conversation with him. He’d probably say ‘Do it again’. But it’s just a surreal moment — being in the company with somebody you idolise growing up.”

But, of course, Bryant fans and critics are blowing up instead of celebrating the extraordinary feat.

Adebayo finished 20-from-43 from the field, seven-from-22 from beyond the arc and an astonishing 36-of-43 from the free throw line — both attempts and makes setting new NBA single-game records.

“I came into this league as a defender and a lobber,”  Adebayo said.

“I really got emotional. It didn’t hit me until I hugged her (A’ja Wilson), and then I hugged my mom. Cause those two — and then obviously my trainers, Ronnie Taylor, Kevin Graves, even Caron Butler — those are the emotional moments.

“They’ve seen me at my lowest behind the scenes. They’ve seen me at the lowest, at the bottom of the bottom, trying to figure out how to really pick myself up.

“To have this moment and share it with all of them — it’s a pretty emotional moment. Like I said, I wish I could relive it twice. This is a special moment. It’s Wilt … me… then Kobe, which sounds crazy.”

Adebayo was sitting next to WNBA MVP and partner Wilson, who is tied with Australian Liz Cambage for the highest single-game score with 53.

“She was complaining about how I got my 10,000 points and how she wanted me to wait,” Adebayo said.

“So to have 83 in the first game she’s here is very special. The behind-the-scenes, the workouts and the conversations — they’re very motivating. Obviously, you see what she does, and you get inspired every day by that. So I’m thankful to have her in my life. She’s gonna cry, by the way.”

Wilson revealed she “got nervous” as Adebayo was closing in on Kobe’s record.

“I was hiding a little bit only because… I don’t know, I just got nervous,” Wilson said.

“Cause like Bam said, I see the countless hours that he puts in. I see the early morning workouts, the questioning, the self-doubt — I see all that. And so for him to be thriving so well in that space during that time, I didn’t want to mess up any mojo. Cause we are two of the most routine people ever. I’m just like, alright, if I’m not in my seat, he’s doing pretty well.

“I remember I sat down and you missed your free throw, and I was like, alright, let me go back to the back. But at the same time, I knew I wanted to just be there to show my support.

“This has been an incredible game, obviously, but journey for Bam. Witnessing it first-hand — the highs and the lows of it — it’s been so much fun. I know he says I’m his inspiration, but I don’t think he has a clue how much he inspires me to keep being the person I am. But to show up for him — that’s my biggest goal — is always just to be present and show up for him.

“I was a little mad that you got your 10K and I wasn’t here, but you made up for it.”

The Heat centre set the tone early, exploding for 31 points in the opening quarter as Miami raced to a 40–29 lead. He reached 43 by halftime and had 62 through three quarters before pushing past Bryant’s mark late in the fourth.

Miami (37–29) controlled the contest throughout, shooting 50% from the field and dominating the glass 48–35 while extending its winning streak to six games. The Heat were without several key contributors, including Tyler Herro and Norman Powell, placing even greater offensive responsibility on Adebayo’s shoulders.

Simone Fontecchio added 18 points off the bench, while Davion Mitchell contributed 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists as Miami maintained offensive flow around its red-hot star.

Washington, which has now lost nine straight games, received 28 points from rookie Alex Sarr and 22 from Will Riley. Jaden Hardy chipped in 17, but the Wizards could not slow Adebayo’s relentless trips to the foul line or his ability to create scoring opportunities in transition and half-court sets.

Adebayo’s 83 points also shattered the previous Miami franchise record of 61 set by LeBron James in 2014. He eclipsed the NBA season-high mark of 56, previously held by Denver’s Nikola Jokic, before the fourth quarter even began.

The performance further strengthened Miami’s push up the Eastern Conference standings, with the Heat now eight games above .500 and building momentum ahead of a home clash with Milwaukee.

For Adebayo, the historic night reinforced his evolution from elite defensive anchor to dominant offensive force — and placed his name permanently alongside the greatest single-game performances the league has ever witnessed.

All-Time Single-Game Scoring Leaders (NBA)

1. 100 — Wilt Chamberlain (Wilt Chamberlain)
   Philadelphia Warriors vs New York Knicks — March 2, 1962
2. 83 — Bam Adebayo (Bam Adebayo)
   Miami Heat vs Washington Wizards — March 11, 2026
3. 81 — Kobe Bryant (Kobe Bryant)
   Los Angeles Lakers vs Toronto Raptors — January 22, 2006
4. 73 — David Thompson (David Thompson)
   Denver Nuggets vs Detroit Pistons — April 9, 1978
5. 73 — Luka Dončić (Luka Dončić)
   Dallas Mavericks vs Atlanta Hawks — January 26, 2024
6. 71 — Elgin Baylor (Elgin Baylor)
   Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks — November 15, 1960
7. 71 — Donovan Mitchell (Donovan Mitchell)
   Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls — January 2, 2023
8. 71 — Damian Lillard (Damian Lillard)
   Portland Trail Blazers vs Houston Rockets — February 26, 2023
9. 71 — David Robinson (David Robinson)
   San Antonio Spurs vs LA Clippers — April 24, 1994
10. 70 — Devin Booker (Devin Booker)
    Phoenix Suns vs Boston Celtics — March 24, 2017