Candace Parker Stirs Competition Between A’ja Wilson and Boyfriend Bam Adebayo

Bam Adebayo and girlfriend A'ja Wilson hold the second-highest NBA single-game score, and the joint-highest WNBA single-game score.

Candace Parker Stirs Competition Between A’ja Wilson and Boyfriend Bam Adebayo

Bam Adebayo, A'ja Wilson, and Candace Parker (Image via FirstSportz)

In Short
  • Bam Adebayo scored 83 points in a game, surpassing LeBron James' franchise record.
  • A'ja Wilson cheered for Adebayo while joking about losing career-high bragging rights.
  • Candace Parker encouraged Wilson to compete for higher scoring next WNBA season.

When Bam Adebayo went off to score 83 points against the Washington Wizards, he had his mother and girlfriend, WNBA superstar A’ja Wilson, at Kaseya Center, cheering him on.

The Las Vegas Aces center was seen clapping and cheering when her boyfriend surpassed LeBron James’ franchise scoring record. Then, as the center overtook the late great Kobe Bryant to register the second-highest single-game score, his mother was the first to hug and congratulate him.

The Kentucky star then went over to greet his better half, cementing what she means to him after being together for nearly two years. Their relationship has been inspirational, with how the two support each other.

Adebayo was there when Wilson led her Aces to their third WNBA championship in four years. That performance further cemented her status as the best women’s basketball player on the planet. That also explains why she joked about losing the career-high bragging rights at home, considering the Miami Heat star’s 83 leaves her WNBA record-tying 54 in the dust.

Do me a favor, tell A’ja I’m expecting 84 next year. You heard me! Just saying. I know you are competitive, so I know you can do it. I expect 84.

Candace Parker told A’ja Wilson via FaceTime

This was the WNBA legend stirring competition in her former Aces teammate to ensure she ends up with the bragging rights this coming WNBA season.

A’ja Wilson responded with a ‘it’s crazy,’ but Candace Parker was not having it and wanted the four-time WNBA MVP to usurp her boyfriend.

Udonis Haslem felt A’ja Wilson would have scolded Bam Adebayo had he missed his free throws

Much has been made about how Bam Adebayo managed to score 83 points in that game. From allegations of that performance being ‘unethical,’ to some critics suggesting the myriad of free throws did not justify the final box score.

A'ja Wilson and Bam Adebayo share a moment after his 83-point performance
A’ja Wilson and Bam Adebayo share a moment after his 83-point performance (Image via Complex/X)

The Heat star and his head coach have slammed those critics, citing that they did nothing intentionally in the game until they felt Kobe Bryant’s record was within reach.

After the 6’9″ center scored his 69th point, he scored just one more two-point field goal. The rest of the 12 points came from free throws. Had he missed any of those, this historic moment might never have happened.

If he would have missed his free throws, you would have probably scolded him worst than anybody.

Udonis Haslem said

This was the Miami Heat legend predicting that had Bam Adebayo missed any of those free throws, A’ja Wilson would have scolded him, as such opportunities do not come around twice.

Bam Adebayo defends Erik Spoelstra’s decision to keep him in the game

While speaking over FaceTime, Udonis Haslem then asked Bam Adebayo about the criticism from some quarters towards Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra for leaving the center in a game they were already winning.

They cut it to 13 with nine minutes left, so he couldn’t take me out of the game… At that point, I was like, ‘I gotta go for it, it’s 70, I’ve got nine minutes left. I have to go for it.’

Adebayo said

The Paris Olympics gold medalist reiterated that Spoelstra checks him back in whenever the Heat get a lead, as that is their usual game plan.

Therefore, his head coach is not to blame. Then, Bam Adebayo reiterated that once he got to 70 points, he felt that he should chase Kobe Bryant’s record, as that is what a competitive athlete should do.

Also Read: