Overview
- Adebayo finished with 83 in Miami’s 150–129 win, passing Kobe Bryant’s 81 and trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 for the top single-game mark.
- He shot 20-of-43 from the field, 7-of-22 from three and 36-of-43 at the line, setting NBA single-game records for free-throw attempts and makes.
- The Heat center opened with 31 in the first quarter and reached 62 by the end of the third on a night his prior career high of 41 was more than doubled.
- Erik Spoelstra said the team abandoned its original plan to keep feeding Adebayo, a choice that drew criticism over heavy free throws and late-game staging.
- Wizards coach Brian Keefe said the fourth quarter “wasn’t a real basketball game,” as Adebayo attempted 16 free throws in the period, while NBA stars praised the feat and others questioned its context; Adebayo has averaged about 18.9 points this season.