After Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo surpassed Kobe Bryant’s legendary 81-point game with an 83-point performance of his own against the Wizards, many of today’s NBA stars shared their thoughts on the achievement, which places Adebayo second all-time behind Wilt Chamberlain.
One player who watched Tuesday night’s events was Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić, one of the league’s most prolific scorers. He addressed the media about Adebayo’s record and offered a measured response.
Luka Dončić Offers His Thoughts on Adebayo’s 83-Point Game
Had fans been asked before Tuesday who was most likely to break Bryant’s 81-point record, many would have pointed to Dončić, based on his prolific scoring as both a Maverick and a Laker. Instead, the honor went to Adebayo, who more than doubled his career-high scoring output in a historic performance.
Dončić himself came close on Jan. 26, 2024, as a member of the Dallas Mavericks. That night against the Atlanta Hawks, he scored 73 points on 25-for-33 shooting, including 8-for-13 from beyond the arc, finishing with a 75.8% field-goal percentage.
His efficiency contrasted with Adebayo’s, who needed 43 free-throw attempts, 43 field-goal attempts, and shot 7-for-22 from 3-point range, aided by intentional fouling late in the game.
Asked how he felt about his own scoring feat being eclipsed under such circumstances, Dončić praised Adebayo’s accomplishment: “That was very special. 83, not bad. Very special. Congratulations to him.”
Luka on Bam’s 83 and if that is something he can see himself doing: pic.twitter.com/2xJIEYcNRg
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) March 11, 2026
He was also asked whether he envisioned himself reaching 80 points at some stage in his career. Dončić appeared unconcerned, modestly shrugging and saying, “As for me. I dunno. Maybe it can happen, maybe not.”
MORE: Lakers Fans Make Feelings Clear on Bam Adebayo Surpassing Kobe Bryant’s Iconic 81-Point Game
Beyond his 73-point outburst in 2024, Dončić has delivered several other high-scoring performances. In 2022 against the New York Knicks, he produced a 60-point triple-double, adding 21 rebounds and 10 assists. He has also recorded five additional 50-point games.
As a Laker, his career high stands at 49, set in October 2025 against the Timberwolves. Earlier this year, he scored 46 points against the Chicago Bulls.
At present, Dončić’s focus is on helping the Lakers contend for a championship. The team sits at 40-25, a half-game out of the third seed in the Western Conference.
The Slovenian is coming off a 31-point triple-double in a win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, continuing a strong season for Los Angeles. The victory was particularly meaningful on a night when Bryant’s iconic record was surpassed in controversial fashion.
