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Rabat – Bam Adebayo made history during the March 10 clash between the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards. Adebayo scored 83 points in the Heat’s 150-129 victory, accounting for over 55% of points scored by the Heat and nearly 30% of total points scored by either team.
Prior to Adebayo’s latest eye-catching performance, only two players have ever surpassed 80 points in a game, namely Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain (100) and Kobe Bryant (81). With his 83-point outing, the Miami center has passed Kobe Bryant’s iconic 2006 comeback performance to claim the position of second-highest single-game scorer ever. Adebayo’s historic outing now only trails Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point performance in 1962.
Making history
Adebyao asserted his dominance early, setting a new franchise record for points in a quarter with 31 points in the first quarter, surpassing Lebron James’ previous 25-point performance. The center’s previous single-game career high was 41 points, and he surpassed that by halftime (43).
By the end of the third quarter, he had surpassed Lebron James (61) again to set the franchise single-game scoring record with 62. The Lakers superstar expressed his support for Adebayo, posting X after the game: “BAM BAM BAM [boom and fire emojis].”
Adebayo could not be contained in the 4th quarter; with 1:19 left to go, he was sent back to the free-throw line with 81 points. The stadium held their breath as he drained both to cement his name in the NBA record books. And the crowd erupted into chants of “M-V-P” after he broke the historic record.
Adebayo ended the game 20-43 from the field, 7-of-22 from the three-point line, and 36-43 from the line. His performance from the line shattered previous NBA records in both free throws attempted and made. Wilt Chamberlain and Adrian Dantley previously held the record for free throws made with 28, while Dwayne Wade held the previous record for free throws attempted with 39.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Adebayo said: “I wish I could relive it twice… This is a special moment. It’s Wilt, me, then Kobe, which sounds crazy.” The Miami center had previously commented that the late Laker was “an idol growing up.” When asked to speculate what Kobe would say about his record being broken, Adebayo stated, “He would tell me to do it again.”
Adebayo recently joined Dwyane Wade as the only players in franchise history to score over 10,000 total points in their career. Adebayo’s recent performance has helped propel the Heat to a six-game winning streak as they attempt to avoid the play-in tournament and secure a playoff spot.
