Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo revealed what NBA legend Michael Jordan told him after scoring 83 points during Miami’s 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday.
“Just congratulations,” Adebayo said during a Wednesday appearance on NBA Countdown. “Short and sweet. If you know Mike, he’s not talking a lot.”
His 83 points scored were the second-most in a single game throughout NBA history, surpassing Hall of Fame guard Kobe Bryant’s 81-point performance in 2006.
Adebayo scored 31 points in the first quarter against Washington before racking up 43 points before halftime.
He finished the game with nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks in 42 minutes on the floor. Adebayo shot 20-of-43 from the field and 7-of-22 from three-point territory.
The three-time All-Star also connected on 36 of his 43 free throws, setting a new NBA single-game record for free throws made and attempted.
Adebayo’s scoring outburst was particularly surprising considering he entered Tuesday’s contest averaging 18.9 points per game. His previous career high of 41 points was set during the 2020-21 season.
“For me, it was just remaining calm, remaining locked in and understanding that I can go for something special,” Adebayo said after the game, per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. “I didn’t think it was going to be 83. But to have this moment is surreal, because like I said, man, to be able to do it at home, in front of my mom, in front of my people, in front of the home fans, this is a mark in history that will forever be remembered.”
As for Jordan, he won 10 scoring titles throughout his legendary career. His own career-high scoring performance came in 1990, as he tallied 69 points in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.