Miami’s Adebayo surpasses Kobe Bryant for second-most points scored in NBA with 83

MANILA, Philippines — Miami’s Bam Adebayo has made NBA history. 

The Heat center scored 31 points in the first quarter and never looked back, finishing with 83 points in the Heat’s 150-129 victory over the Washington Wizards Wednesday morning (Manila time).

Adebayo broke the late great Kobe Bryant’s 81 points in a single game to move to No. 2 in the list.

Bryant scored 81 points in 2006, and more than 20 years later, Adebayo dropped 83 before being subbed out of the game with 1:08 remaining. 

The 6-foot-9, 28-year-old shot 20-of-43 from the field, including 7-of-22 from deep. 

He also made 36 of his 43 free throws. 

Adebayo now only trails Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points in a game, a record that has stood tall since 1962.

“Man, I wish I could relive it twice. I credit God, I credit my teammates and this crowd,” he said. 

“This is number one [moment in my career,] for sure. For sure, number one… Obviously, it’s a top three performance of all time,” he added. 

With 22.2 seconds remaining in the third quarter against the Wizards, He broke LeBron James’ single-game Miami mark of 62 points.

And Adebayo continued on, putting pedal to the metal as he chased Bryant’s record.

Despite being doubled late in the game, he was able to force himself to the line. 

He reached Bryant’s 81-point mark with 1:37 left, and he was able to surpass it with 1:16 remaining as he sank free throws.

Adebayo scored 31 of Miami’s 40 first quarter points.

He, then, finished the half with 43 in the half.  And he did not stop there. 

The big man continued to pounce on the attack in the second half, as the crowd cheered every time Adebayo scored. 

But aside from scoring, Adebayo also tallied nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. 

Simone Fontecchio chipped in 18 markers and six boards for the Heat, while Davion Mitchell finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the win. 

Alex Sarr powered the Wizards with 28 points and six rebounds, while Will Riley had 22. 

The Heat rose to 37-29 in the season, good for sixth place. The Wizards dropped to 16-48.