Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo scored a career-high 83 points, the second-highest scoring game in NBA history, surpassing Kobe Bryant's 81-point performance in 2006. Only Wilt Chamberlain and his 100-point game exceed Adebayo.
In 42 minutes of play, Bam Adebayo finished with 83 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocked shots. He shot 20 of 43 from the field, 7 of 22 from three and 36 of 43 from the free throw line in the historic game.
Adebayo set a new record with 43 free throws in a game, surpassing Dwight Howard's record of 39.
Many players and coaches from around the NBA world reacted to Adebayo's terrible scoring night, including some of the league's best scorers.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo offered his support to Adebayo after the Bucks' home loss to the Phoenix Suns.
“Unbelievable,” Antetokounmpo said. "83 is incredible. It says a lot about his hard work. I haven't seen the game yet, I have to see the game. He took 43 free throws? It doesn't matter how you got there. What matters is that you got it. Like 10, 20, 30 years from now, no one will remember how many free throw shots he shot. I don't think I remember how many shots Kobe shot or how many free throws he made or That's 81. You don't remember that, at the end of the day he's got 83 points. I know he works hard every day."
Bam Adebayo's former Olympic teammate in Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets was also surprised by the accomplishment.
"I couldn't believe it when I heard it in real time," Durant said after his team's game. "It seems like he got 30 in the first quarter. Congratulations to Bam. I know how much he works. I looked at the stat-sheet, it's crazy. He had 40 shots, 40 free throws, 20 threes. It takes a lot of stamina, a lot of energy to make those shots and then make them, set a record, surpassing Kobe as the second-highest scorer in the history of the game. Congratulations to him. It's a huge accomplishment." Which we will always talk about.
I asked Kevin Durant about Bam Adebayo's 83 point game.
"Something we'll always talk about." pic.twitter.com/mRXm3XkBrY
- Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) 11 March 2026
San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama appeared to be more dismissive of the accomplishment in his postgame interview after the Spurs defeated the Boston Celtics.
“Yes, I see,” Vembanyama said before pausing. "I think we're in a league where there's a lot of inspiration to look at, but yes I looked..."
Spurs' Victor Wembanyama says Bam Adebayo's 83-point drop tonight is a source of inspiration:
“We're playing in a league where there's a lot of motivation to watch.”@spurfectblog #porvida pic.twitter.com/3HyxcojZT1
- Carolina Teague (@CTtheMicSlayer) 11 March 2026
Rockets head coach Ime Udoka also seemed a little dismissive of the 83-point performance.
"The first thing you think about is how, not because of him, but because of the way he plays," Udoka said. "I saw he only made six threes, but 40 free throws or something. That tells the story right there. And the Washington Wizards."
Philadelphia 76ers forward Kelly Oubre expressed another opinion, crediting his Sixers teammate Joel Embiid.
"Well, I'm going to say it's definitely legendary," Aubrey said. "Hats off to the box-score, the numbers, and Bam. He's etched himself in history. I'm sad that he bested Kobe, he's definitely one of my favorite players, but I'll just say, Joel did it masterfully and he did it in three quarters."
Kelly Oubre totally talks about Bam Adebayo scoring 83 points with the mic drop after the game. 🫳🏽🎤
“I'm just going to say that this guy, Joel [Embiid] Did it efficiently, and they did it in three quarters"
(via @CiavoNBA) pic.twitter.com/gnzbi49jvk
— Philly Sports Network (@PhiladelphiaSN) 11 March 2026
Following Anthony Edwards and the Los Angeles Lakers' home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers head coach JJ Redick explained where he was watching the game from and how he found out about the news.
"It's incredible what he was able to do," Reddick said. "I went in and I looked at the score. He was at the free throw line and they've been playing great basketball lately. I told my coaching staff, 'The Heat is on.' He looked at me and said, 'Are you kidding right now?' I said, 'No, what's happening?' They are 36-28, they will be 37-28. And they say, 'No, Bam has 77.' And I was like, 'Huh?!' I watched the last three minutes and it was a different kind of basketball.
When asked by JJ Redick on Bam Adebayo's 83-point night @mirjamswanson: :
"It's unbelievable what he was able to do...I watched the last three minutes and it was a different type of basketball."#lakers pic.twitter.com/Vk2cvpDFyf
- Carlos Yakimovich (@CarlosYakJr) 11 March 2026
There will surely be more players and coaches shouting out Bam Adebayo's accomplishment on Wednesday night, but so far, there have been mixed reactions to the Heat star's 83-point night.
Following his 83-point game, Bam Adebayo is now averaging 20 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game, while shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 32.9 percent from the free throw line.
