MIAMI – There's no denying the sports world is buzzing about Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo, who scored 83 points against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night, surpassing Kobe Bryant's 81 points to become the second-highest scoring game in a game. While there is debate about the "ethics" of the Heat captain's 83-point outing, the big man himself spoke about the play after Miami's 112-105 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Adebayo's 83-point night drew polarizing reactions, from the center celebrating to making incredible NBA history, with the other side questioning the performance due to a myriad of factors, especially in the fourth quarter. Whether it's the 43 free-throw attempts or Miami's strategy of passing the game to gain more possessions, these have been some talking points.
There has also been discussion about whether Adebayo should have surpassed Bryant's mark in starts, saying that instead of making history, he would have taken himself out of the game. Adebayo will have a message for the "couch coach", touching on every criticism of the 83-point game, mentioning Washington's poor defense, and aiming to surpass Bryant's milestone.
“First of all, you all are blaming me; you should blame their head coach,” Adebayo told ClutchPoints. "Get it first. I wasn't going to let one go the whole game until I had 70. Then you started sending the double. At that point, I got 70 with, like, what, nine minutes left in the game. Do you think I'm not going for that?"
“And that's the thing that's crazy,” Adebayo continued. "When they talk about the unethical part of basketball. I'm like, I've got nine minutes left now. Who would be like, you know, coach, just take me out. Yeah, OK! There's somebody in my spot who's got nine minutes left? One minute? OK. Nine? Yeah, I'm going for it. You can't be mad at that. If you're mad, I don't care."
Had to ask Bam Adebayo about people questioning the "ethics" of his 83-point game.
Touched every conversation point around you.
"First of all, you're all blaming me, but you should blame their head coach... That's the thing to chase after, so you can move past it..." #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/yhQtFNhk6d
- Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) 13 March 2026
Heat's Bam Adebayo on 43 free-throw attempts in 83-point game
With Adebayo scoring 83 points and the Heat having a broader impact on a franchise making league history, the impact of Thursday's win over the Bucks can't be denied. Adebayo would still make his presence felt in the contest, scoring 21 points with eight rebounds, but one could tell the fatigue was emotionally and physically draining on Tuesday.
For 21 points, he shot six of 20 from the field and missed all five of his three-point attempts, but it was the fourth quarter that turned his night around. Entering the final frame with eight points, he scored a crucial 13 points, making nine of 12 from the free-throw line, helping Pelle Larsson finish with a career night with a total of 28 points.
It was certainly a quiet game for Adebayo, who made 43 shots, 22 from deep and 43 free-throw attempts on Tuesday, the most in association history. Adebayo continued the criticism, saying he was "being humiliated every time", which the film proves.
“Because a lot of guys, they're upset because if they played, they never would have had a chance to get close to chasing greatness,” Adebayo said. "And if you get that close to chasing greatness, that's the point of chasing it, so you can surpass it. And some guys have never played basketball."
"They're going to talk about free throws. It's not like I shoot 15 free throws a game," Adebayo added. "It's not like I averaged 10 free throws a game. I was, you can watch the film, I was legitimately getting fouled every time I went to the free-throw line."
At any rate, Adebayo's 83-point game will continue to be talked about, but for now the main focus is on Miami as they look to extend their seven-game winning streak (a season-high) with a crucial game on Saturday night against the Orlando Magic.
