Who has the highest scoring game in NBA history?

It’s time to rewrite the history books. Bam Adebayo poured in 83 points on Tuesday night, passing Kobe Bryant for the second most points in a single game in NBA history.

With more modern players reaching the 70-point mark, surpassing 81 seemed inevitable. Players such as Luka Doncic, James Harden and Damian Lillard were billed as potential candidates over the past few seasons. Rarely, if at all, did people mention Adebayo’s name among those who could break Bryant’s record.

Yet here we are. Adebayo scored 83 points in a 150-129 victory over the Wizards. He played 42 minutes, remaining in the game until the final minute when he passed Bryant on the free throw line. Here’s how Adebayo’s performance stacks up with the top scoring performances in NBA. history.

NBA Single-Game Scoring Leaders

How did Bam Adebayo score 83 points?

It’s not an easy feat to score 83 points, which is why only two players in history have ever accomplished this. Prior to Bryant’s 81-point explosion, no player had touched 80. That barrier is now broken.

Adebayo shot 20-of-43 from the field and 7-of-22 from distance. Field goals accounted for 47 points, while he scored the other 36 from the free throw line. That’s right, he made 36-of-43 free throws. It’s a ridiculous number and has already received some negative attention on social media.

That said, 83 points is 83 points no matter how it’s calculated. Adebayo is in the history books tonight, tomorrow and forever.