Audio By Carbonatix
Unless you live under some rock without internet access, you’ve probably heard about Miami Heat captain Bam Adebayo’s 83-point performance Tuesday night in the team’s barnstorming 150-129 victory against the Washington Wizards.
The red-hot display is the second-highest point total for a single player in NBA history, overtaking Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game in 2006 but not quite reaching Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962. While countless social media users were full of predictable praise for such a noteworthy performance, droves of haters were also swift to downplay the record.
Longtime Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was in awe of his team captain, telling reporters after the game he felt more like a fan during the performance, according to Heavy.com. Spoelstra after the game was in a jovial mood, telling reporters he at one point had in his house the box score of LeBron James’ 61-point game in a Heat jersey back in 2014. But it “went up in flames,” he quipped in reference to a fire that destroyed his home in November 2025.
Spoelstra told reporters it was “an absolutely surreal night. Obviously, we’ve been blessed to have been part of a lot of big moments in this arena. This one, it just happened. Moments happen and I’m grateful that we’re all able to be a part of it and witness it.”
According to X (formerly known as Twitter) user Brady Hawk, a Miami Heat sports writer, fans at the game sensed something special was unfolding. “Bam Adebayo’s night was so legendary I saw people buying his jersey at halftime and throwing them on in the bathroom and I’m not even trolling,” he wrote.
Former Heat captain and certified Miami legend Dwyane Wade was full of praise for Adebayo, writing, “I’m proud of this individual accomplishment! I’m more proud of how his teammates rallied around him to make sure this night was historic for him! That’s why he’s the Cap! Salute and respect to my lil bro. 83!??? Bamonte!!!!!”
Adebayo’s remarkable game was filled with record-breaking stat lines, including the most free throws made (36) and attempted (43) and most points by a Heat player in a game (83), half (43), and quarter (31), according to the NBA. Speaking to reporters after the game, Adebayo said, “Wilt, me, then Kobe,” Adebayo said. “It sounds crazy.”
“For me, it was just remaining calm, remaining locked in and understanding that I can go for something special. 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.”
But not everyone was happy with the Heat captain’s performance, with self-described “haterade” pouring in from places like The Athletic. Writer Sam Amick opined that Adebayo (and the Heat coaching staff) should have stopped at 81 to preserve the late Kobe Bryant’s record.
He wrote, “In a bizarre and completely avoidable plot twist, the Heat decided to leave Adebayo in the game with 1:35 left, presumably so that he could pass Kobe Bryant’s 81-point mark from 20 years ago and secure the second-highest scoring performance in NBA history (behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100). Never mind that the Heat were up by 27 points at the time, or that all signs had pointed to the Heat pulling him with 81 points as a classy tribute to the late, great Lakers star.”
Many were heated with how many free throws Adebayo got, despite Wizards players getting handsy with him all game long.
X user Richi González Dávila wrote, “Watching these last 100 seconds of the Wizards vs. Miami game and Bam Adebayo’s ‘psuedo’ record is embarrassing. What a shame to have turned the NBA into a real circus and the laughingstock of the basketball world.”
Another user, iam_johnw, wrote, “Stat padding is one thing but Heat players were actually missing free throws so they could Wizards players and get the ball back for Bam Adebayo.”
X user Dashytwo posted a throwback to Kobe’s 81-point game, writing, “With Bam Adebayo breaking the GOAT’s record tonight I present you an ethical way of getting 80-plus points. 81 points off 28-46 shooting (7-13 3-points made) (18-20 free-throws made) in a very tight game until the last couple minutes.”
