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Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat.
The NBA’s latest historic scoring performance quickly turned into a heated debate — particularly among fans of the Los Angeles Lakers and loyal supporters of the late Kobe Bryant.
When Bam Adebayo erupted for 83 points in the Miami Heat’s 150–129 victory over the Washington Wizards, the performance immediately sparked comparisons to Bryant’s iconic 81-point game in 2006.
But as criticism poured in from Lakers fans and Bryant loyalists, one NBA superstar stepped forward to defend Adebayo: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
“Incredible. Incredible,” Antetokounmpo said when asked about Adebayo’s historic performance. “Speaks volumes about his hard work. I haven’t seen the game. I have to watch the game and see.
“It doesn’t matter how you get it. All that means is that you got it.”
Bam Adebayo’s 83-Point Night Rewrites the Record Books
Adebayo’s performance instantly entered the NBA record books as the second-highest scoring game in league history, trailing only the legendary 100-point performance by Wilt Chamberlain in 1962.
For nearly two decades, Bryant’s 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors stood as the modern benchmark for individual scoring brilliance.
Bryant delivered that performance on Jan. 22, 2006, shooting 28-of-46 from the field, 7-of-13 from three-point range and 18-of-20 from the free-throw line while playing 42 minutes.
Adebayo’s path to 83 looked very different.
The Heat star finished with 83 points on 20-of-43 shooting, but much of his scoring came at the free-throw line. He converted 36 free throws on 43 attempts, breaking the NBA single-game records for both makes and attempts.
His 43 free-throw attempts surpassed the previous record of 39 held by Dwight Howard, while his 36 makes eclipsed the previous mark of 28 shared by Chamberlain and Hall of Famer Adrian Dantley.
Adebayo also attempted 22 three-pointers, tying the third-most attempts in a single game in NBA history.
Despite the scoring explosion, he nearly added a double-double with nine rebounds, along with three assists, two steals and two blocks.
Lakers Fans React to Bam Adebayo Surpassing Kobe Bryant
The performance drew a particularly strong reaction from Lakers fans who still view Bryant’s 81-point game as one of the most iconic achievements in NBA history.
NBA news account Legion Hoops quickly highlighted the difference in free-throw totals between the two performances.
“Kobe’s 81-point game: 20 free throws
Bam’s 83-point game: 43 free throws 🤷♂️🤷♂️🤷♂️”
Sports medicine analyst Dr. Brian Sutterer offered an even stronger reaction on social media.
“This is a disgrace to Kobe’s 81.”
Lakers-focused outlet Lakers Nation also weighed in.
“Congrats to Bam, but we all know what we just watched.”
The debate even spilled into arenas. Before the Lakers’ game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the public-address announcer informed the crowd that Adebayo had surpassed Bryant’s scoring mark.
“A rather melancholy footnote in NBA history occurred,” the announcer said. “Miami Heat–Washington 150–129. In that game, Miami forward Bam Adebayo scored 83 points.”
The announcement drew loud boos from the Los Angeles crowd, reflecting the emotional attachment many fans still hold to Bryant’s record-setting performance.
The Lakers went on to defeat Minnesota 120–106 that night.
O’Shea Jackson Jr. Offers Nuanced Kobe Fan Perspective
Not every Lakers fan rejected the achievement outright.
Actor and longtime Lakers supporter O’Shea Jackson Jr. — the son of rapper Ice Cube — offered a more nuanced reaction while defending Bryant’s legacy.
“As Kobe fans, we would’ve loved and respected somebody taking Kobe’s record because it would’ve been the closest thing to seeing Kobe,” Jackson wrote on X.
However, Jackson also questioned the circumstances surrounding the performance.
“But instead they manufactured and forced it to happen,” he wrote, adding that Bryant’s achievement still stands apart historically.
“It’s still the highest of any guard or perimeter player ever.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo Pushes Back on the Criticism
While debate intensified among Lakers fans and NBA observers, Antetokounmpo dismissed the criticism surrounding Adebayo’s record-setting night.
“In 10, 20, 30 years from now, nobody’s going to remember how many free throws he shot,” Antetokounmpo said.
“I don’t think I remember how many shots Kobe shot, or how many free throws he made or threes. All you remember is 81, 100.”
For Antetokounmpo, the most important detail is simple.
“At the end of the day, he got 83 points,” he said. “And obviously — did they win?
“Great way to help your team win a game.”
The two-time MVP also praised Adebayo’s relentless work ethic.
“I know Bam. He works his butt off every single day. He never cheats the game,” Antetokounmpo said. “Seeing a guy like him doing something like this is incredible.”
Regardless of the debate surrounding how the milestone unfolded, Adebayo’s 83-point performance now sits alongside the most extraordinary scoring nights in NBA history — even as Bryant’s legendary 81-point game continues to hold a special place among Lakers fans.
Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo