Jaime Jaquez Jr. Disappointed When Bam Adebayo Scored 83 Points

Adebayo's historic scoring performance surpassed Kobe Bryant's long-standing record.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:19am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the explosive energy and multiple perspectives of a basketball game, with vibrant colors and fragmented shapes representing the record-breaking performance.Bam Adebayo's historic 83-point game shatters Kobe Bryant's long-standing scoring record, sparking mixed emotions among fans.Today in Miami

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo scored 83 points in a game against the Washington Wizards, surpassing Kobe Bryant's previous record for the second-highest single-game scoring total in NBA history. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Adebayo's teammate, admitted he was disappointed to see Bryant's record broken, as he was a big fan of the 'Black Mamba' growing up.

Why it matters

Adebayo's 83-point performance was a surprising and historic feat, as he is known more for his defensive prowess than his scoring ability. While many celebrated the achievement, some fans, including Jaquez, were disappointed to see Kobe Bryant's long-standing record fall.

The details

Adebayo shot an NBA-record 43 free throws, making 36 of them, in his 83-point outburst against the Wizards. This sparked some backlash, with critics calling it an 'unethical' way to pad his scoring total and surpass Bryant's 81-point game. Jaquez, a self-proclaimed 'Kobe guy', jokingly told Adebayo he was happy for him but 'a little sick for Kobe'.

  • Kobe Bryant previously held the record for the second-highest single-game scoring total with 81 points, set in 2006.
  • Bam Adebayo scored 83 points against the Washington Wizards on April 17, 2026.

The players

Bam Adebayo

A center for the Miami Heat who scored 83 points in a single game, surpassing Kobe Bryant's previous record.

Jaime Jaquez Jr.

A teammate of Bam Adebayo on the Miami Heat who admitted to being disappointed that Adebayo broke Kobe Bryant's long-standing scoring record.

Kobe Bryant

The former Los Angeles Lakers star who previously held the record for the second-highest single-game scoring total with 81 points.

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What they’re saying

“As much as I love you, I'm so happy for you. I'm a little sick for Kobe. I'm LA, I'm a Kobe guy, but I'm still like, damn, I'm a Kobe guy. I didn't think anyone would break it, but if anyone is going to break it, I'm glad it was you.”

— Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat teammate

The takeaway

Bam Adebayo's historic 83-point performance highlighted the enduring legacy of Kobe Bryant, as some fans, including his own teammate Jaime Jaquez Jr., were conflicted about seeing the 'Black Mamba's' long-standing record fall. This moment underscores the deep emotional connections fans can have with iconic sports figures, even as new records are set.