Heat’s Bam Adebayo wishes Kobe Bryant experienced record 83 pointsnewsline24

MIAMI, March 11 (UPI) — Between hugs from his mom, girlfriend and Miami Heat teammates, Bam Adebayo thought of one man he wished experienced a record 83-point night: Kobe Bryant.

Adebayo, who passed Bryant for the second-most points in a single game in NBA history in a 150-129 triumph over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday in Miami, spoke about his idol shortly after the performance.

“In my mind, I was like, what would he say to me?” Adebayo told reporters, when asked about the late Bryant. “Because I’ve always wanted to have a conversation with him.

“He would probably say: “Do it again.”

The Heat center made 20 of 43 shots, including 7 of 22 3-point attempts. He also sank 36 of 44 free throws en route to the most points in an NBA game since Wilt Chamberlain’s record 100 on March 2, 1962.

Chamberlain made 36 of 63 shots, with 28 points from the free throw line, during his record scoring night. Bryant, who died Jan. 26, 2020, made 28 of 46 shots, including 7 of 13 from 3-point range, during his 81-point outburst Jan. 22, 2006 against the Toronto Raptors.

“It’s a surreal moment being in the company with someone you idolized growing up,” Adebayo said of Bryant.

Adebayo made five of his 3-point attempts in the first quarter en route to 31 points over the first 12 minutes. He passed his previous career-high (41) after another dozen points in the second quarter.

The 6-foot-9 All-Star, also known for his elite defense, was less efficient down the stretch, but continued to roll behind a support coach Erik Spoelstra, who continued to feed him the ball. Adebayo netted 19 in the third quarter, when he made 4 of 11 shots. He also passed the previous Heat single-game scoring record of 61, held by LeBron James, in the third quarter.

He then eyed his place on the all-time podium.

Adebayo, who registered 62 points through three quarters, scored the Heat’s five points of the fourth. He reached 70 with 9:05 remaining. Wizards defenders continuously smothered the Heat star, but he would not be denied.

Adebayo tied Bryant’s mark with a free throw with 97 seconds shown on the clock. He returned to the line for two more attempts 21 seconds later. Adebayo sank both shots, as his mom cried tears of joy from her seat in the Kaseya Center stands.

Adebayo said he also thought of Bryant’s locked-in mentality during those final attempts.

“That was my idol growing up,” Adebayo said on ESPN. “I watched how he approached the game with that laser focus, being locked in 48 minutes of the game. … When I got to the free throw line I was like ‘ok, you got 81, but you got to make these free throws.'”

Adebayo recorded nine rebounds and three assists, along with his 83 points. Forward Simone Fontecchio scored 18 off the Heat bench. Wizards center Alex Sarr scored 28 points in the loss.

The Wizards outshot the Heat 51.7% to 50%. They also held a 41.7% to 30.2% edge in 3-point shooting, but totaled 23 turnovers compared to the Heat’s 16. They also trailed 47-22 in made free throws, 64-50 in points in the paint and 22-5 in points off fast breaks.

The Heat, who never trailed, led by as many as 28 points and extended a six-game winning streak. With his record point total, Adebayo increased his season points per game average from 18.9 to 20.0. He also logged 9.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists per appearance through his first 58 starts of 2026.

“To be able to have this moment is surreal,” Adebayo said. “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 Heat (37-29), who sit in sixth place in the Eastern Conference, will host the 11th-place Milwaukee Bucks (27-37) at 7:30 p.m. EDT Thursday in Miami.