Kevin Durant In Disbelief Over Bam Adebayo’s 83 Points
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PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 09: Kevin Durant (L) and Bam Adebayo, backwards white hat, watch a Women’s semifinal match between Team United States and Team Australia on day fourteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 09, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
On Tuesday evening, the Miami Heat played the Washington Wizards (at home).
While a lot of key players were ruled out for the game, Bam Adebayo took advantage in a major way.
The Heat center exploded for history, finishing with 83 points while shooting 20/43 from the field in 42 minutes of playing time.
Kevin Durant In Disbelief Over Bam Adebayo’s 83 Points
GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 10: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat celebrates with teammates after defeating the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center on March 10, 2026 in Miami, Florida. Adebayo passed Kobe Bryant for the second most points scored in an NBA game with 83 in the 150-129 win. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Adebayo has now scored the second-most points in all of NBA history.
He moved ahead of Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant (who had 81).
NBA Communications wrote: “Most points scored in a single NBA game:
1. Wilt Chamberlain – 100 (March 2, 1962) 2. BAM ADEBAYO – 83 (TONIGHT) 3. Kobe Bryant – 81 (January 22, 2006)
Adebayo joins Chamberlain and Bryant as the only players in NBA history to score 80+ points in a game.”
After the game, Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant shared his thoughts.
Durant (h/t NBA on ESPN): “I couldn’t believe it when I was hearing it in real time… Congratulations to Bam. I know how much work he puts in… That takes a lot of energy to go out there and put those shots up, but also make them… Congrats to him, huge, huge accomplishment. Something we’re gonna be talking about forever.”
GettyHOUSTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 29: Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets speaks with the media during NBA Media Day at Toyota Center on September 29, 2025 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images)
Adebayo was only averaging 18.9 points per contest coming into the night.
NBA reporter Rachel Nichols wrote: “Bam Adebayo’s 83 pts: * 20-for-43 from the floor * 7-for-22 from 3 * 36-for-43 on FT
Curious how folks feel about Miami’s fouls at the end that kept sending Bam to the line. Personally, I’m a “if it’s part of the game, it’s part of the game” person but I know not everyone is.”
Durant And Adebayo
GettyUSA’s #13 Bam Adebayo (Rear) embraces USA’s #07 Kevin Durant after the USA won the men’s Gold Medal basketball match between France and USA during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 10, 2024. (Photo by Damien MEYER / AFP via Getty Images)
While Adebayo and Durant have competed on other NBA teams for nearly a decade, they have also been teammates on Team USA.
They won two Gold Medals together (2020 and 2024).
ESPN’s Bobby Marks wrote: “Prior to tonight, Bam Adebayo averaged 4.8 free throws per game.
Tonight he shot 43, making 36.”
Adebayo is in his ninth season as a pro (all with Miami).
In addition to his Gold Medals, the 28-year-old has also reached the NBA Finals twice.
GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 08: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat looks on against the Detroit Pistons during the fourth quarter at Kaseya Center on March 08, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
The Heat (37-29) will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.
Ben Stinar Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years.
He has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar
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