Bam! Heat's Adebayo scores 83 points, 2nd only to Wilt Chamberlain in NBA history

MIAMI (AP) — It's Wilt, then Bam.

Bam Adebayo had a night for all time on Tuesday, with a point total second to only Wilt Chamberlain in the NBA record books. Adebayo scored 83 points, setting league marks for free throws made and attempted in a game for the Miami Heat in a 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards.

“An absolutely surreal night,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Obviously, we’ve been blessed to have been part of a lot of big moments in this arena. This one, it just happened. Moments happen and I’m grateful that we’re all able to be a part of it and witness it.”

Chamberlain's record of 100 points has stood since 1962. Kobe Bryant — one of Adebayo's basketball heroes — was No. 2 on the list with 81. Adebayo never thought he'd be in that club.

And then came a night he'll never forget.

“Wilt, me, then Kobe,” Adebayo said. “It sounds crazy.”

Adebayo’s final numbers: 20 of 43 from the field, 36 of 43 from the foul line, 7 for 22 from 3-point range.

He was in tears as he hugged his mother, Marilyn Blount, before leaving the floor after the game. Emotions were kept in check, until then.

“For me, it was just remaining calm, remaining locked in and understanding that I can go for something special,” Adebayo said. “I didn’t think it was going to be 83. But to have this moment is surreal, because like I said, man, to be able to do it at home, in front of my mom, in front of my people, in front of the home fans, this is a mark in history that will forever be remembered.”

Adebayo's career high, before Monday, was 41.

That was passed by halftime.

“I looked at the stat sheet. It was pretty crazy: 40 shots, 40 free throws, 20 3s, that takes a lot of stamina, man," Houston star and Adebayo's USA Basketball teammate Kevin Durant said. “It takes a lot of energy to go out there and put those shots up and also make them, set a record, surpass Kobe as the second highest-scoring player in the history of the game. I mean, damn. Congrats to him. Huge, huge accomplishment, something we're going to be talking about forever.”

Adebayo started with a 31-point first quarter and never stopped rolling. He was up to 43 at halftime, 62 by the end of the third quarter. And then came the fourth, when the milestones kept falling despite facing double-, triple- and what once appeared to be a quadruple-team from a Wizards defense that kept sending him to the foul line.

“BAM BAM BAM,” former Heat forward LeBron James posted on social media. James had the Heat single-game record of 61 points, set on March 3, 2014. He's now No. 2 on the team list — by a wide margin.

The NBA's previous best this season was 56, by Nikola Jokic for Denver against Minnesota on Christmas night. The last player to have 62 points through three quarters was Bryant, who had exactly that many going into the fourth for the Los Angeles Lakers against Dallas on Dec. 20, 2005.

Adebayo got to the line 16 times in the fourth, and the game had some comical moments. The Heat made clear they kept wanting Adebayo to get the ball and get to the line, even in a blowout. The Wizards tried to foul others — but couldn't stop the scoring onslaught.

“You’ve got to give him credit," Wizards coach Brian Keefe said. "In the first half he shot the ball terrific, he scored the ball really well. Obviously, he came out and had a little bit in the third, too. They obviously kept him in the game, and there was a lot of fouls called — 16 free throws in the fourth quarter. I was trying to take the ball out of his hands, he still got some free throws 40 feet from the rim. I can’t explain some of those calls. That’s all I got to say on that.”

And Adebayo only needed the first half to set a career high, too.

Adebayo's 31 points in the opening quarter broke the Heat record for points in any quarter — and tied the team record for points in a first half before the second quarter even started.

He finished the first half with 43 points, a team record for any half and two points better than his previous career high — for a full game, that is — set Jan. 23, 2021, against Brooklyn.

Adebayo’s season high entering Tuesday was 32. He matched that with a free throw with 5:53 left in the second quarter, breaking the Heat first-half scoring record.

He was just getting started.

“I would say once he got to 50, then we’re thinking, all right, maybe he can get to 60,” Spoelstra said.

He got to 60, late in the third.

“And when he got to 60, it just kept on going,” Spoelstra said. “We might as well go for 70.”

He got to 70,

“And then, I didn’t dare even think about taking him out at that point,” Spoelstra said. “We just kept on going.”

When Spoelstra finally declared Adebayo's night over, he was waiting to greet the center with a big hug. Teammates did the same, as did some of the Wizards after the final buzzer. Adebayo made his way over to Heat managing general partner Micky Arison for congratulations, before eventually getting to the locker room.

Everyone wanted his jersey, which he kept. The game ball was secured. The nets were cut down as souvenirs. A'ja Wilson, Adebayo's longtime girlfriend and the four-time WNBA MVP, could barely keep from crying.

“I know he says that I’m his inspiration,” Wilson said. “But I don’t think he has a clue how much he inspires me to continue to be the person that I am.”

Finally, Adebayo made his way to the parking garage, exhausted. He never had an opportunity to meet Bryant, who died in 2020, and often wonders what it would be like to have him as a confidant. He had those same thoughts Tuesday, after topping Bryant's 81.

“Just a surreal moment,” Adebayo said, “being in the company with somebody I idolized growing up.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra hugs center Bam Adebayo (13) as he leaves the game after scoring 83 points, the second-highest single game total in NBA history, in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, right, celebrates with teammates after he scored 83 points, the second-highest single game total in NBA history, in an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, center, and players react during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, as center Bam Adebayo (13) plays on his way to scoring 83 points, the second-highest single game total in NBA history, in an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Fans and Miami Heat players on the bench stand to watch as center Bam Adebayo (13) takes a free throw, on his way to scoring 83 points, the second-highest single game total in NBA history, in an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Heat teammates celebrate center Bam Adebayo (13) after he scored 83 points, the second-highest single game total in NBA history, in an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) passes to forward Myron Gardner (15) as Washington Wizards center Alex Sarr looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, March 10, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) aims to score as Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown's frustration with officials boiled over during the first half of Tuesday's game against the San Antonio Spurs when he was ejected after receiving back-to-back technical fouls.

Brown did not speak to reporters after the game unlike Boston's first matchup with San Antonio when he was fined for criticizing the officiating crew.

The Celtics stood up for Brown on Tuesday after a 125-116 loss in a physical battle between the No. 2 teams in each conference.

“He definitely earned the first one and then I thought the second one was (expletive), honestly,” Boston guard Derrick White said. “I mean, it’s a passionate game, high-level game. You can’t throw out a guy that’s done so much for us all year in a game like this, especially joining in, like I wouldn't throw him out. I think that was ridiculous.”

Brown was upset after no foul was called when he lost the ball out of bounds with 3:42 remaining in the first half.

White and Jayson Tatum both believe Brown was pushed on the play and were confounded it led to an ejection, especially in a nationally broadcast marquee matchup.

“He definitely got pushed,” Tatum said “The first tech probably warranted, emotions are high, but second tech ...? You've got to understand, national TV game, two of the best teams in the league and you make a big deal about stars playing and then you're trigger happy, throw somebody out the game. So I disagree with it.”

Brown has voiced his displeasure with the officiating previously, which added to his exasperation and first ejection of the season.

Brown’s official X account shortly after he reached the locker room Tuesday expressed his frustration.

“This the (expletive) I be talking about,” Brown posted.

Brown had eight points and seven assists in 15 minutes when he was ejected.

It marked the second time Brown was agitated with a lack of calls against San Antonio.

The NBA fined Brown $35,000 on Jan. 12, a day after he criticized officials following a 100-95 loss to San Antonio.

“I feel like, honestly, they just got away with a lot, and I’m tired of the inconsistency,” Brown told reporters in Boston after that game.

The Celtics took just four free throws in that home loss to the Spurs.

Boston had 17 free throws on Tuesday while San Antonio had 25.

Brown's frustration showed early in the rematch.

Official Tyler Ford assessed the first technical after Brown continued to voice his displeasure at the no-call after he lost the ball out of bounds.

The technical incensed Brown, who had to be restrained by teammates from approaching Ford. Official Suyash Mehta assessed a second technical seconds later, resulting in an automatic ejection.

NBA Rule No. 12 requires an ejected player or coach to leave the playing area and bench immediately upon notification, but Brown remained after the ejection as he continued yelling at Ford. Players and staff, including Boston coach Joe Mazzulla, had to restrain Brown from approaching Ford. Brown threw his hands up in disgust before walking off the court.

Mazzulla said Brown had his full support, but he also did not want to speak about the officiating.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) is restrained as he argues a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) is restrained as he argues a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) argues a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs guard De'aaron Fox (4) drives around Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Tuesday, March 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)