Bam Adebayo Claps Back at Kobe Fans Over His Wild 83-Point Chase

Bam Adebayo built his NBA career through defense, rebounding and plays that do not always appear in the main statistics. The Miami Heat forward had never been known as a player who could score more than 80 points, which made his latest performance unlike anything else in his career.

The game soon created a larger debate about records and respect. Adebayo moved close to Kobe Bryant‘s 81-point mark with enough time left to decide whether he wanted to pass it.

Bam Adebayo Had No Interest In Stopping At Kobe Bryant’s Mark

Adebayo reached 70 points with 9:05 remaining against Washington. He kept attacking and finished with 83 points, passing Bryant’s 81 for the second-highest scoring game in NBA history.

Only Wilt Chamberlain has scored more in one NBA game. Chamberlain still holds the record with 100 points.

Some Bryant fans criticized Adebayo because they believed he should have stopped at 81 points. Adebayo rejected that idea and said he knew exactly what he was doing.

“I’m gonna say this, I went for it. I knew exactly what I was doing. I don’t give a f about what anybody negative has to say,” Adebayo said. “People say you should’ve stopped at 81. Why? So y’all can never mention me? I already know how Kobe fans are. I’m a Kobe fan.”

Adebayo said his respect for Bryant made the moment more meaningful. However, being a Bryant fan did not make him want to protect the 81-point mark.

Bam Adebay on Kobe fans wanting him to stop at 81 points:

“I went for it. I knew exactly what I was doing. I don’t give a f about what anybody negative has to say. — People say ‘you should’ve stopped at 81!’ Why? So y’all can never mention me? I already know how Kobe fans… pic.twitter.com/gSJOviTFvA

— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) October 1, 2026

“Listen, I’m a Kobe fan, I got close to his record. What do you think I’m going to do? Try to break it,” Adebayo said.

Adebayo chose to chase NBA history instead of stopping at Bryant’s mark. His 83-point performance moved him into second place on the league’s single-game scoring list.

The numbers show why Bam Adebayo kept pushing

The chase was not built only in the final minutes. Adebayo scored 31 points in the first quarter, reached 43 by halftime and had 62 after three quarters. His previous career high was 41. 

The final box score also explains why the debate started. Adebayo finished 20-of-43 from the field and 7-of-22 from three, while going 36-of-43 at the free-throw line. His 36 made free throws and 43 attempts both set NBA records. 

Washington’s late defense and Miami’s effort to create more possessions added another layer to the finish. Some saw that stretch as unnecessary. Adebayo saw a rare opportunity that might never come again.

He had 70 with nine minutes left. The record was within reach, and he chose to keep going. The final number was 83.

More NBA News