With Norman Powell and Tyler Herro sidelined, the offensive load fell onto the Miami Heats third leading scorer, Bam Adebayo. Given the keys to the offense, Adebayo took full advantage and cemented himself into the NBA record books.
After 43 shots, and 43 free throws, he ended the victory over the Washington Wizards with 83 points to surpass Kobe Bryant for second most points in NBA history.
Adebayo left the first quarter with 31 points. He picked up 21 more in the fourth quarter to get to 83 points. He escaped double- and triple-teams all through the fourth quarter.
The extra bodies thrown at Adebayo led to the astronomical free-throw count — making 36 of 43 foul shots. Bryant needed just 20 foul shots, making 18, in his 81-point game.
Coach Erik Spoelstra left Adebayo in the game down the stretch of the fourth quarter, with the outcome already decided.
“An absolutely surreal night” Spoelstra said.
With Bryant’s 81 points in sight, the Heat ran everything through Adebayo. Last season he averaged 2.8 3-point attempts per game. He attempted nine in the fourth quarter alone. His 22 total attempts on the game were more than he tried in the 2022-23 season. His seven makes were nearly half the amount he made in the 2023-24 season.
Adebayo now resides just behind Wilt Chamberlain in the history books. Chamberlain scored 100 points back in 1962. His other records have been in the news, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied his record for most consecutive 20-point games on Monday night.
No fan will soon forget where they were when Adebayo got to 83 points.
