Getty
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 26: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat reacts from the bench area during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on December 26, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
After making headlines last week for putting together one of the best scoring games in NBA history, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo is on pace to miss his first game in a while.
The Miami Heat are paying a visit to the Charlotte Hornets in North Carolina on Tuesday, March 17, and they prepared for the matchup with the possibility of playing without Adebayo for the evening.
When the Heat submitted their initial injury report on Monday night, Adebayo was added and listed as questionable. Hours out from the start of the game, the Heat are doubting his status even more.
Miami Heat Get Bad News On Bam Adebayo vs Hornets
GettyBam Adebayo’s performance was the best scoring performance in Miami Heat franchise history.
According to the official NBA injury report, Adebayo was downgraded to doubtful for the game.
Barring any positive changes, the star center was likely to get the night off. He is dealing with calf tightness.
*FINAL UPDATE: The Miami Heat have ruled out Bam Adebayo for Tuesday’s game.
Bam Adebayo (calf) listed out Tuesday.
The last time Bam Adebayo missed action was during the Heat’s December 27 matchup against the Indiana Pacers. At the time, it was his second absence in a row.
Adebayo would return to the court for the Heat’s December 29 blowout victory over the Denver Nuggets. Since then, he’s been rolling with a lot of luck in the health department.
Still Buzzing Off 83
GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – MARCH 10: Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat leaves the court after a 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center on March 10, 2026 in Miami, Florida. Adebayo passed Kobe Bryant for the second most points scored in an NBA game with 83. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Whether it’s positive or negative talk–Bam Adebayo is still buzzing off his 83-point outing against the Washington Wizards on March 10.
In his 41 minutes on the court, Adebayo attempted 43 shots, with 22 of them coming from deep. He also had 43 attempts from the charity stripe, where he shot 83% to score 36 points.
From the field, Adebayo made 20 baskets. He wrapped up the 150-129 win over the Wizards with 83 points. He’s behind just Wilt Chamberlain on the NBA’s All-Time single-game scoring list. The Heat center surpassed the late-great Kobe Bryant.
Since his big night, Adebayo has struggled with his efficiency from the field. He produced 21 points against the Milwaukee Bucks in the following game, shooting 30% from the field. Along with his scoring, Adebayo came down with eight rebounds and passed out two assists.
In Miami’s last game out, Adebayo checked in for 38 minutes. He shot 6-15 from the field, scoring 20 points. He also had seven rebounds, one assist, four steals, and two blocks. The Heat came up short with a 121-117 loss.
This season, Adebayo has posted averages of 20.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 60 games.
The Miami Heat’s Standing In The East
GettyHead coach Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat
Heading into Tuesday’s action, the Heat are seventh in the Eastern Conference. They hold a 38-30 record, winning seven of their last 10 games.
While they are currently sitting in the NBA Play-In range, the Heat are just 0.5 games out from the fifth and sixth seeds in the East. Every game holds high stakes going forward.
The Heat and the Hornets are slated for a 7:00 PM ET tip on Tuesday.
Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso
More Heavy on Heat
Loading more stories