Bam Adebayo's previous career high makes no sense compared to record-setting 83-point night for Heat originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Wilt Chamberlain. And Bam Adebayo, ahead of even Kobe Bryant.
A ridiculous, unfathomable 83 points for Bam.
The Miami Heat frontcourt star just put himself in the rarest of NBA company with one of the highest-scoring games in NBA history on Tuesday night. And it really makes no sense.
This isn't an exaggeration. Of all the players in the NBA to score 50 points, or 60 points, or 70 points, let alone Adebayo's final total, he wasn't one of the most likely.
He's a well-rounded big guy who can score, rebound, pass and defend with the best of them. But he's not usually a high-volume guy. He isn't known for his scoring, even though he's an efficient offensive player.
A night like this was once in a lifetime. And one of the best ever. When you consider Adebayo's high-water mark before this, it's even crazier.
What was Bam Adebayo's previous career high?
Bam Adebayo's previous career-high point total for a game was 41 points, which he scored in 2021.
So to more than double that? That seems pretty much impossible.
No one would've ever expected this.
Sometimes, sports delivers in ways we could never imagine.
Bam Adebayo breaks a Wilt Chamberlain record
Chamberlain hold the previous record for most made free throws in a game. Bam broke that.
Wilt (and Adrian Dantley) had a game with 28 made foul shots.
Adebayo's final shooting stats on this night:
- 20-43 FG
- 7-22 3FG
- 36-43 FT
He added nine rebounds and three assists and two steals and two blocks to his 83 points. Astounding.
MORE: The adorable story behind Bam Adebayo's nickname