Bam Adebayo produced the second-highest single-game scoring total in NBA history, putting up 83 points as the host Miami Heat beat the Washington Wizards 150-129 on Tuesday night.
The 28-year-old center 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 1962.
"Man, I wish I could relive it twice," Adebayo said afterwards. "I credit my family, my team-mates, this crowd. ... And they kept feeding me the ball. ... I couldn't do it (without my team-mates). I appreciate coach (Erik Spoelstra) for drawing up plays for me, and I got it going tonight.
"To be able to do it at home makes it even more sweeter."
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 23 January, 2021, against the Brooklyn Nets.
In 42 minutes, Adebayo shot 20-for-43 from the floor, 7-for-22 from3-point range and 36-for-43 at the free-throw line. He also grabbed nine rebounds.
Spoelstra said, "Once he got to 50, then we're thinking, 'All right, maybe he can get to 60.' And when he got to 60, it just kept on going. We might as well go for 70 and then I didn't dare even think about taking him out at that point. It just kept on going.
"I wanted him to have a moment. I didn't know when that would be. It just kept on going. Otherwise I was going to foul him and allow the crowd to really enjoy the moment with him and allow him to enjoy this historic night in front of all the home fans. ... I didn't stop until once he got Kobe's."
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 free-throw 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 also were 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 scoring with 28 points.
