Several people in the NBA world celebrated with Bam Adebayo following his career-high performance. Miami Heat president Pat Riley couldn’t help but joke around with the star after the game.
Heat President Pat Riley Jokes With Bam Adebayo
Adebayo made NBA history on Tuesday by recording the second-most points in a single game with 83 against the Washington Wizards. As expected, the Heat star was celebrated by his organization. Among those who took the time to congratulate him was Riley, who met him in the tunnel following the game.
Instead of just straight-up congratulating Adebayo, though, the team president took the time to joke about taking him out of the game much earlier.
The interaction happened while the Heat center was talking about what he felt after sinking the free-throw that netted him his 83rd point. As he was speaking, he ran into Riley, who was ready to poke fun at him.
“I would have taken you out at 70,” Riley said. Afterward, he appeared to whisper something to the star that the microphone didn’t pick up.
Afterward, he can be heard saying, “You did it.”
Pat Riley to Bam: “I would have taken you at 70. Goddamn it! You did it!” pic.twitter.com/xHAJfg0gGk https://t.co/Uoh5H9yHkC
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 11, 2026
Adebayo now holds the record for the second-highest scoring performance in league history, trailing only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 points from 1962. He surpassed Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who scored 81 points back in 2006.
While several people are celebrating Adebayo’s performance, it has also sparked some controversy. The Heat center is being criticized for stat-padding, especially considering that he attempted 43 free throws, sinking 36 of them.
It’s mostly being compared to Bryant’s performance, in which he attempted just 20 free throws and made 18.
Furthermore, he’s being criticized for staying in the game even after it seemed like the Heat had already secured the win. Entering the fourth quarter, Adebayo already had 62 points, while his team led by 16 (113-97).
Early in the game’s final frame, their lead shrank to just under 15 points. However, Adebayo’s hot hand not only ensured that the lead would not go away but also that it would grow even bigger. With only 6:43 left in the game, they went up by 28, with the Heat center recording his 71st point on a free throw.
Despite the already insurmountable lead, he remained on the floor, scoring most of his points from the charity stripe. He took his final shots of the game from the free-throw line with 1:16 left and was finally subbed out with a little over a minute remaining.
