Topic / Subject

Bam Adebayo exploded for 83 points in Miami’s 150 to 129 win over Washington, which pushed him past Kobe Bryant’s 81 and into second place on the NBA’s single-game scoring list behind only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100. ESPN’s final box score showed Adebayo finishing with 83 points, nine rebounds, and three assists.

TL;DR

This one is real, not social gas. Bam finished with 83, which means he moved past Kobe’s 81 and now trails only Wilt’s 100 on the all-time list.

Key Details

• ESPN’s final box score showed Miami beat Washington 150 to 129, with Adebayo scoring 83 points.
• Adebayo also added nine rebounds and three assists in the win.
• NBA.com’s published all-time scoring list, last updated April 22, 2025, lists Wilt Chamberlain first with 100 and Kobe Bryant second with 81, so Bam’s 83 moves him into second by simple math.
• The AP recap said Bam broke Miami’s franchise scoring record when he reached 62 late in the third quarter, passing LeBron James’ old Heat mark of 61.
• The same AP recap noted Kobe also had 62 through three quarters in his 2005 game against Dallas, which is why the Kobe comparisons started flying before Bam kept scoring in the fourth.

Breakdown

The easiest way to frame this is simple. Bam did not just set a Heat record, he climbed into historic territory. Once he cleared LeBron’s old Miami mark in the third quarter, the only question left was how high the final number could go.

The fourth quarter is what turned a franchise story into an all-time story. ESPN’s final box score locked him at 83, which is two more than Kobe’s 81 and still 17 short of Wilt’s untouchable 100.

What to Watch Next

• How long Bam’s 83 holds as the second-highest game ever.
• Whether Miami leans even harder into him offensively after a night like this.

Sources

ESPN — Washington Wizards at Miami Heat box score

FOX Sports / AP — Bam! Heat’s Adebayo sets team’s single-game scoring record, breaking LeBron James’ mark of 61

NBA.com — Most Points Scored by a Player in an NBA Game

Comment

Where does Bam’s 83 land for you, most shocking scoring night ever outside of Wilt, or still a step below Kobe’s 81 because of the aura?