Heat's Bam Adebayo scores 83 points for second-most ever in a single NBA game

Bam Adebayo during 83-point game
Bam Adebayo during 83-point gameMegan Briggs/Getty Images

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo recorded 83 points during Tuesday's win over the Washington Wizards, surpassing the late Kobe Bryant for the second-most points in a game in NBA history.

Adebayo reached the milestone with a pair of free throws late in the fourth quarter to officially surpass Bryant, who scored 81.

It all started in the first quarter when Adebayo outscored the entire Wizards team 31-29. 

The record now stands as his alone after he surpassed LeBron James for the most points ever in a single quarter in Miami Heat franchise history, also surpassing Bryant's record of 30 points for the fifth-most in a quarter in NBA history.

It wouldn't be the only James record he broke on the night either...

The Heat center's historic night would continue with another 10 points in the second quarter, heading into halftime. 

Adebayo would enter the lockerroom with 43 points in the first half for the most by an NBA player in almost 30 years. 

Incoming third quarter, Adebayo broke James' Heat record of 61 points in a single game, all while tying Bryant's record of most points through three quarters. 

Heading into the fourth, Adebayo scored 31 of the Heat's 40 points in the first quarter, 12 of their 36 in the second, and 19 of their 37 in the third.

Then came the fourth quarter...

The veteran center would go on to score 21 of the Heat's 37 points in the fourth quarter to ultimately break Kobe's record and move into the second spot for most points ever in a single NBA game - falling 17 points short of Wilt Chamberlain's 100. 

He would tie Bryant's record of 81 with a pair of free throws just as he broke it with a pair before eventually being taken out of the game. 

Adebayo finished with a stat line of 83 points on 20-43 shooting (46.5%), going 7-for-22 from three-point range and 36-of-43 from the free throw line, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks. 

Miami won the game 150-129

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