Photo Credit: Getty Images
Even though Bam Adebayo delivered the second-highest scoring game in history with his 83 points, not everyone is pleased. Yet, it’s hard to understand why anyone would downplay one of the decade’s greatest achievements.
“Let’s be clear: what you’re about to read could easily be considered the harshest kind of criticism. Also, take this warning as relating to Bam Adebayo’s historic performance Tuesday in Miami: I only watched a few minutes of the game against the Washington Generals—sorry, the Wizards—and I have no intention of watching more.”
That’s how Sam Amick, a respected journalist who writes for The Athletic and the New York Times, begins his take on a performance that sparked debate: on Tuesday night, Bam Adebayo scored 83 points, surpassing the 81 scored by Kobe Bryant in January 2026, and moved into second place for most points in an NBA game, behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 in 1962.
On that note – Bam Adebayo scores 83 points, the second-highest total ever in a single NBA game!
And since that night, instead of a chorus of praise for a historic feat, we’ve seen a parade of current and former NBA figures explaining why this achievement doesn’t matter, or isn’t worth much. One example among many: Robert Horry, a seven-time NBA champion (the only player with that many titles who wasn’t part of the legendary Boston Celtics of the 1960s), who said an asterisk should be attached to this performance, as he explained on NBA Courtside.
“43 shots, 43 free throws, I saw some highlights… 83 points is impressive, but there comes a point where you have to respect the game. At times, that wasn’t the case. It’ll go down as the second-best total in history, but I want to put an asterisk next to it.”
Here’s the sticking point: the free throws. 43 attempted, 36 made. Both are records. It’s obviously not the most entertaining way to play, but it’s simply about exploiting the opponent’s weakness. The Wizards have had one of the worst frontcourts in the NBA for years, and attacking them relentlessly is a valid strategy. And clearly, almost all of those free throws were justified. It was just a regular season game between two teams that aren’t exactly shining this year. The score was almost irrelevant (150-129), and yes, Eric Spoelstra could have played his center less, since Bam Adebayo was on the court for nearly 42 out of 48 possible minutes. But the Miami Heat coach decided to give his player, who was off to an incredible start (50 points in 25 minutes), a chance to make history—a once-in-a-lifetime performance.
Isn’t that what the NBA is about? Watching a player—certainly not a random one (Adebayo is a multiple all-star)—push his limits and become a legend for a night? Or should we just watch the same players and teams dominate the league with no surprises? You can’t claim the NBA is more competitive than ever (seven different champions in a row) and then complain when that competitiveness spreads to everyone.
