Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo scored 83 points against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday, surpassing Kobe Bryant to claim the second-highest point total in a single game in NBA history.
Only Wilt Chamberlain has ever scored more in one game, recording 100 points in 1962.
The Heat toppled the Wizards 150-129.
Adebayo shot 20-for-43 from the field and 7-for-22 from deep in the historic performance. He also went 36-for-43 from the free-throw line while adding nine rebounds and three assists over 42 minutes.
“An absolutely surreal night,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said postgame, according to ESPN.
Bryant became just the second player in NBA history to reach the 80-point mark in a contest, notching 81 on Jan. 22, 2006.
Rank Player Team Points Year
1 Wilt Chamberlain Warriors 100 1962
2 Bam Adebayo Heat 83 2026
3 Kobe Bryant Lakers 81 2006
4 Wilt Chamberlain Warriors 78 1961
T5 Wilt Chamberlain Warriors 73 1962
T5 Wilt Chamberlain Warriors 73 1962
T5 David Thompson Nuggets 73 1978
T5 Luka Doncic Mavericks 73 2024
9 Wilt Chamberlain Warriors 72 1962
T10 Elgin Baylor Lakers 71 1960
T10 David Robinson Spurs 71 1994
T10 Donovan Mitchell Cavaliers 71 2023
T10 Damian Lillard Blazers 71 2023
The previous Heat franchise record for most points in a single game was held by LeBron James, who scored 61 against the Charlotte Bobcats on March 3, 2014.
“Welp won’t have the highest career high in the house anymore,” four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and Adebayo’s girlfriend posted on social media.
Adebayo’s previous career high was 41, which he managed to best in the first half of Tuesday’s win.
