On Tuesday, March 10th, Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo, scored 83 points against the Washington Wizards, in a game that the Heat won 150-129. Where does this game rank among the best individual performances in the regular season since 1990?

The criteria for this list includes, the “wow” factor, efficiency, overall impact on the game, difficulty of the opponent and the player’s team had to win the game. Here are my top 15 individual performances in the regular season since 1990.

15. Kevin Love Dominates the Knicks

On November 12, 2010, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the New York Knicks, 112-103, behind the great play of Kevin Love. Love finished the game with 31 points and 31 rebounds. Only 19 players have had 30 or more rebounds since 1980.

14. Russell Westbrook Pays Homage to Nipsey Hussle

On April 2, 2019, The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Los Angeles Lakers. Russell Westbrook was playing against his hometown team and dedicated this game to California rap legend, Nipsey Hussle. Nipsey Hussle was murdered a few days prior to the game. Westbrook put up 20 points, 20 rebounds, and 21 assists with only two turnovers.

13. Anthony Davis Beat The Drum(mond)

On February 21, 2016, The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Detroit Pistons, 111-106, behind an all-time great shooting night from Anthony Davis. Davis scored 59 points, grabbed 20 rebounds, shot 24/34 from the floor and 2/2 from three point range.

12. The Magic of Assists

On December 12, 1990, Scott Skiles led the Orlando Magic to a win over the Denver Nuggets, 155-116. In that game, Skiles set the record for assists in a game with 30. The record still stands today. Skiles also scored 22 points and only had four turnovers.

11. David Robinson’s Quadruple Double

On February 17, 1994, the San Antonio Spurs took on the Detroit Pistons and won, 115-96. David Robinson dominated this game in every way. He scored 34 points, dished out 10 assists, grabbed 10 rebounds, and blocked 10 shots. The quadruple double is one of the rarest feats in NBA history. It’s only happened four times in the history of the league.

10. Hakeem Olajuwon’s Versatility Showcase

There have been 22, 5 by 5 games in NBA history. 5 by 5 means, that the player had at least five points, five rebounds, five assists, five steals, and five blocks in a game. On March 3, 1990, Hakeem Olajuwon had arguably the best of these games.

The Houston Rockets defeated the Golden State Warriors, 129-109, and Olajuwon had a game for the ages. He finished the game with 29 points, 18 rebounds, 11 blocks, nine assists, and five steals.

9. Dribbling? Who needs to do that?

On December 5, 2016, the Golden State Warriors’ Klay Thompson scored 60 points in just 29 minutes of game time, against the Indiana Pacers. Thompson famously only dribbled 11 times in the game, shot 21/33 from the floor, 8/14 from three, and 10/11 from the free throw line.

8. Bam Goes Ballistic

On March 10, 2026, Bam Adebayo led the Miami Heat to a victory over the Washington Wizards. He scored 83 points on 20/43 shooting from the floor, 7/22 from three, and 36/43 from the free throw line. Adebayo is now second all-time in points in a game and first in free throws attempted in a game.

7. The could of been 80-point game

On December 20,2005, The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the eventual western conference champion, Dallas Mavericks, 112-90. Kobe Bryant scored 62 points without playing in the fourth quarter. Bryant shot 18/31 from the floor and 4/10 from three point range.

6. Joel Welcomes Wemby to the NBA

The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 133-123, on January 22,2024. Joel Embiid had the best game of his career against a rookie, Victor Wembanyama. Embiid scored 70 points, grabbed 18 rebounds, dished out 5 assists, shot 24/41 from the floor and 21/23 from the free throw line.

5. Bron Burns Bobcats

The Miami Heat defeated the Charlotte Bobcats, 124-107, on March 3,2014. The Heat were led by LeBron James as he scored a very efficient 61 points. He shot 22/33 from floor, 8/10 from three point range, and 9/12 from the free throw line.

4. Luka Shoots Down the Hawks

There may have been something in the NBA water in January of 2024. Just a few days after Joel Embiid dropped 70 points, Luka Doncic scored 73 against the Atlanta Hawks.

Doncic led the Mavericks to a 148-143 victory with a stat line of 73 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. He shot 25/33 from the floor, 8/13 from three, and 15/16 from the free throw line.

3. Harden Pulls A Rabbit Out of Hat

The Houston Rockets beat the Magic on January 30,2018 by the score of 114-107. They were led by James Harden who had a 60-point triple double. Harden finished the game with 60 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists.

2. His Airness Flies Over the Cavaliers

On March 28,1990, the Chicago Bulls defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 117-113. Michael Jordan led the way with 69 points, 18 rebounds, and six assists. Jordan was 23/37 from the floor and 21/23 from the free throw line.

1. 81

On January 22,2006, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Toronto Raptors, 122-104. Kobe Bryant carried the Lakers to victory with a herculean performance. He scored 81 points on 28/46 shooting from the floor, 7/13 from three point range, and 18/20 from the free throw line.

What did I miss?

There were so many great performances since 1990 until now. I am pretty sure, I missed a game here and there or my order may be wrong. Please let me know what you would change.