The Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo probably wasn’t whom most would have picked to score 83 points in a game. His previous career high was 41, and he surpassed that by halftime with 43.
Adebayo passed Kobe Bryant’s 81 points Jan. 22, 2006, for the second-most points in a game in NBA history. Only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game March 2, 1962, tops Adebayo’s scoring effort.
Adebayo’s game caught the attention of many around the league. Below are a few of those reactions.
As the Minnesota Timberwolves were preparing for their game against the Lakers in Los Angeles, players huddled around their phones in the visiting locker room watching the last five minutes of the Heat game. When Adebayo knocked down the free throws to get to 83, players shook their heads in amazement.
“Wilt then Bam. That’s hard,” Bones Hyland said. — Jon Krawczynski, senior writer, Minnesota Timberwolves
BAM ADEBAYO: “To have 83 the first game she’s here is very special… the behind-the-scenes, the workouts, the conversations, they’re very motivating, and obviously you see what she does… you get inspired by that. I’m thankful to have her in my life.”
A’JA WILSON: “I see the… pic.twitter.com/MfrMoSTqjq
— NBA (@NBA) March 11, 2026
“Is it true a human being had 83 points tonight?” — Doc Rivers — Eric Nehm, senior writer, Milwaukee Bucks
Lakers players were watching the game on their phones, a couple even stalling before heading to pregame chapel. One interesting observation — multiple players I spoke with thought Spo was showing respect for Bam by trying to manufacture extra possessions. — Dan Woike, senior writer, Los Angeles Lakers
“I taught that boy Bam everything he knows.” 🤣@Dame_Lillard calls into The Association to discuss Bam Adebayo’s historic outing.
The Association is LIVE on NBA TV and the NBA App! ➡️ https://t.co/dadjDhnWa7 pic.twitter.com/PQwzmENlDk
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 11, 2026
Ime Udoka on Bam: “First thing you think is how, not because of him, but because of the way he plays. I saw he only made six 3s but 40 free throws or something like that, tells the story right there.”
Then he paused and said: “And the Washington Wizards.” — Will Guillory, staff writer, Houston Rockets and the New Orleans Pelicans
“I couldn’t believe it when I was hearing it in real time. … Congrats to Bam.”
KD’s reaction to Bam Adebayo scoring 83 points ❤️ pic.twitter.com/b3syWVjTzr
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 11, 2026
Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke with reporters:
Giannis: “Incredible. Incredible. Speaks volumes to his hard work. I haven’t seen the game. I have to watch the game and see.”
Reporters: 36 of 43 from the line.
“Free throws?”
Yes.
“It doesn’t matter how you get there. All that matters is that you got it. Like in 10, 20, 30 years from now, nobody’s going to remember how many free throws he shot. I don’t think I remember how many shots Kobe shot or how many free throws he made or 3s. All you remember is 81. Wilt, 100. You don’t remember (how). So, at the end of the day, he got 83 points, and did they win?”
Yes.
“Good. Great way to help your team win a game. I know that his family, his close friends, they’re extremely excited and happy for him. And again, it speaks volumes in his hard work. I know Bam, he works his butt off every single day. He never cheats the game, and seeing a guy like him doing something like this is incredible.”
You guys get him next.
“We’ll try to not let him score 83. He’s going to score 82. So, we’ll do our best for him to score 82, not 83.” — Nehm
The Raptors on TSN panel reacts to Bam Adebayo having 77 points 🤣 pic.twitter.com/UudptiQB9t
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 11, 2026
You heard ’em 👀
Kelly Oubre on Bam Adebayo’s 83-point historic night. pic.twitter.com/pcwbMlnnvR
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) March 11, 2026
Lakers fans react to Adebayo’s passing Kobe Bryant for the second-best scoring game in league history: