Bam Adebayo’s 83-point performance receives commendation from LeBron, A’ja, and others.
The NBA record book received a significant update on Tuesday, thanks to Bam Adebayo.
The Miami Heat standout scored 83 points in a 150-129 victory against the Washington Wizards, marking the second-highest scoring game in NBA history, second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s iconic 100-point game in 1962.
Prior to Tuesday, Adebayo’s highest scoring game this season was 32 points, and his career best was 41. By the conclusion of the first quarter, he was already nearing both totals. He set an impressive pace, outscoring the entire Wizards team in the first quarter, 31-29.
Adebayo finished the game shooting 20-of-43 from the field, 7-of-22 from beyond the arc, and 36-of-43 from the free throw line. As noted by ESPN Research, Adebayo became one of only two players in NBA history, alongside Chamberlain, to achieve at least 20 made field goals and 25 free throws in a single game.
This performance surpassed the modern-era record established by Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game in 2006, which had been the highest scoring performance since Chamberlain’s 100-point game until Luka Doncic scored 73 points on January 26, 2024.
As Adebayo’s remarkable scoring night progressed, social media was abuzz with reactions from the basketball community. Here are some of the notable posts celebrating his achievement.
Sports world weighs in
Early in the evening, Adebayo eclipsed a record previously held by LeBron James. Miami’s former single-quarter franchise record was 25 points, set by the current Los Angeles Lakers star, a figure Adebayo surpassed with his 31-point first quarter.
Later, with his 62nd point, Adebayo broke James’ record for the most points scored in a single game in Heat history.
James was among the first to extend his congratulations online. His girlfriend, A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces, supported him from the sidelines and later joined in the online celebration.
BAM BAM BAM 💥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 11, 2026
A'ja Wilson live posting while Bam Adebayo has a historic scoring night is everything ❤️ 👏
(via aja22wilson/Threads) pic.twitter.com/7ASvG9e5Oo
— espnW (@espnW) March 11, 2026
83 for CAP 🫡 🤯 pic.twitter.com/wdoptsezDp
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) March 11, 2026
Bro what
— Jalen Brunson (@jalenbrunson1) March 11, 2026
83?????
— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) March 11, 2026
@Bam1of1 going CRAZY
— Karl-Anthony Towns (@KarlTowns) March 11, 2026
YEAHHH @Bam1of1 ‼️‼️‼️
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) March 11, 2026
83 Adebayo 🥶😮💨🔥
— Victor Oladipo (@VicOladipo) March 11, 2026
83 💥🫡
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) March 11, 2026
🫡🫡 daaang Bam!!! https://t.co/gJSE0aZJJl
— Cam Jordan (@camjordan94) March 11, 2026
83!!!!! @Bam1of1
— CC Sabathia (@CC_Sabathia) March 11, 2026
