Lakers Fans Tear Into NBA For Allowing Bam Adebayo to Overtake Kobe Bryant’s Record With 36 Free Throws

Lakers fans couldn't believe that someone surpassed Kobe Bryant's modern-era NBA record, as Bam Adebayo went off for 83 points on Tuesday.

Lakers Fans Tear Into NBA For Allowing Bam Adebayo to Overtake Kobe Bryant’s Record With 36 Free Throws

Bam Adebayo breaks Kobe Bryant's points record (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Bam Adebayo scored a career-high 83 points, surpassing Kobe Bryant's 81-point record.
  • The Miami Heat defeated the Washington Wizards 150-129, extending their winning streak to six games.
  • Lakers fans reacted negatively, booing the announcement of Adebayo's record-breaking performance at Crypto.com Arena.

Bam Adebayo put in a performance for the ages. If NBA fans had to guess one player to surpass Kobe Bryant‘s single-game points record of 81 points, no one would have named Bam Adebayo. On Tuesday night, the Miami Heat took on a struggling Washington Wizards at the Kaseya Center. Little did anyone know that history was going to be made.

The Heat registered a convincing 150-129 victory over the Wizards and extended their winning streak to six games. The win helped them overtake the Orlando Magic as they find themselves at sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings with a 35-28 record. The Heat are now in contention for a direct playoff qualification in the Eastern Conference.

Bam Adebayo was always known for his defensive abilities. Picked as the 14th overall pick by the Heat in the 2017 NBA draft, he has made it to two NBA Finals, selected as an All-Star three times and was selected in the NBA All-Defensive First team in 2024. Currently in his ninth season in the NBA, Adebayo has breached the 20 points per game average just once in his career and has had a career-high of 41 points.

However, on Tuesday night, the Heat were without their top scorer, Tyler Herro; hence, it was on Adebayo to take up the scoring burden. The Heat center stunned the NBA world and recorded a career-high 83 points to go along with nine rebounds. He scored 31 points in the opening quarter, breaking the Heat record for points in any quarter. He finished the half with 43 points, a team record for any half.

Bam Adebayo broke several club records against the Wizards, but the biggest of them all is surpassing the great Kobe Bryant‘s record of 81 points to become the second-highest scorer in a game in NBA history. He trails only Wilt Chamberlain‘s record of 100 points. Bryant set the modern-era record against the Toronto Raptors in 2006.

While the NBA world celebrated, Los Angeles Lakers fans were left upset as they saw their icon’s record being broken. Before their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers fans were heard booing at the Crypto.com Arena after the PA mentioned that Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat scored 83.

While Adebayo made a career-high seven threes on Tuesday, he shot a record 36 out of 43 free throws, which would have definitely rubbed the Lakers fans the wrong way. The 36 free throws made was also an NBA record, breaking the previous mark of 28 held by Wilt Chamberlain and Adrian Dantley. 

NBA world reacts to Lakers fans booing after Bam Adebayo broke Kobe Bryant’s record

Since Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game in 2006, only five players have breached the 70-point mark, but none of them have gotten to 80. It looked like Bryant’s record would stay for years to come. While it did last for nearly 20 years, the record had to be broken someday.

However, it did upset a lot of Bryant and Lakers fans when the announcement was made at the Crypto.com Arena. Following the loud boos in the arena, NBA fans took to social media to react to what had happened.

Several reactions on social media were calling out Lakers fans for their inappropriate behavior in response to a historic achievement. It would be something that even Bryant would not be proud of.

Ime Udoka on Bam Adebayo’s historic night

On an emotional and historic night for Bam Adebayo, the NBA world suddenly seemed divided over the quality of his performance. Along with Lakers fans, several other people were left unimpressed by Adebayo’s achievement. One of them was Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka

Following the Rockets’ win over the Raptors, Udoka threw shade on Adebayo’s historic night in his post-match press conference.

Bam Adebayo
Bam Adebayo (Image credits – Miami Heat/X)

I saw he only made 6 threes but 40 free throws or something like that, tells the story right there and….the Washington Wizards.

It was an unfortunate response from a head coach. While Adebayo did break the record for the number of free throws, it was still an achievement that will be remembered for a very long time. The comments would have left a bitter taste in the mouths of Heat and Adebayo’s fans.

Also Read: