Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo delivered one of the most extraordinary individual performances in NBA history on March 10, 2026, erupting for 83 points in a 150-129 blowout victory over the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center.
The outburst ranks as the second-highest single-game scoring total ever, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain's legendary 100-point game in 1962 and surpassing Kobe Bryant's iconic 81-point effort from 2006.
Miami Heat star Adebayo reveals what MJ, LeBron & Wade said after his jaw-dropping performance
In a postgame interview, Adebayo reflected on the surreal milestone, noting the cross-generational respect it earned. Basketball icons, including Michael Jordan with a famously "short and sweet" congratulations, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and even Kawhi Leonard, sent messages of praise, underscoring the performance's place in league lore.
Speaking of what MJ said, Adebayo, during the interview with ESPN, said:
“Just congratulations. Very short and sweet.”
The Miami Heat player added:
“If you know Mike, he’s not talking a lot.”
Adebayo, whose previous career high was just 41 points, shattered Heat franchise records while setting league marks for free throws made (36) and attempted (43) in a game. The big man's scoring rampage unfolded dramatically as he poured in 31 points in the first quarter, reached 43 by halftime, and hit 62 after three quarters before finishing with a stat line of 83 points on 20-of-43 shooting. This also included 7 three-pointers, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks.
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