SI:AM | 5 Fun Facts About Bam Adebayo’s 83-Point Game

The Heat center made history in a variety of ways in passing Kobe Bryant for the second most points in an NBA game.

DAN GARTLAND Good morning, I'm Dan Gartland. I really thought I was going to lead this newsletter with the Maxx Crosby trade falling through, but then Bam Adebayo went out and had one of the best games in NBA history.  In today's SI:AM: 🔥 Bam goes off 😮 Crosby trade shocker ⚾ Trouble for Team USA Bam passes Kobe Zach Beeker/Getty Images At some point last night, I saw a post on social media about Heat center Bam Adebayo having 40 points and thought to myself, "Nice, pretty good game." What I didn't realize was that it was only the first half.  Adebayo went on to finish with 83 points, passing Kobe Bryant's 81 for the second most in NBA history behind only Wilt Chamberlain's legendary 100-point game.  "It's a special moment," Adebayo said. "It's Wilt, me, then Kobe, which sounds crazy." It is pretty crazy. It's the kind of performance that produces all sorts of fun facts, so let me share a few of my favorites.  CONTINUE DAN'S COLUMN ON SI The best of Sports Illustrated Several general managers around the NFL spoke with Albert Breer to help answer the biggest questions surrounding the canceled Maxx Crosby trade. The Ravens quickly pivoted off of Crosby and reportedly signed former Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson to a four-year deal, Mike Kadlick writes. In his free agency notebook, Breer also looks at how the early quarterback deals may inform the market for Kyler Murray and Kirk Cousins and analyzes what to make of the Jaguars' subtle approach.  Team USA suffered an embarrassing loss to Italy on Tuesday night that takes the team's World Baseball Classic fate out of its hands. Tom Verducci breaks down the U.S.'s absurd defeat. Celtics star Jaylen Brown was ejected during Boston's battle against the Spurs. Chris Mannix says the early dismissal should not have happened, and the league knows it. Mannix also examines why the Knicks have been a puzzling team this season. Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, Kevin Sweeney explores Auburn's NCAA Tournament case in his latest bracket watch. Blake Silverman provides his latest view on how the women's tournament field could shake out. Get the print edition of Sports Illustrated delivered to your door. CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE! Grace Hollars/Imagn Images 👀 The top five ... … non-Bam Adebayo things I saw last night:  5. Carter Verhaeghe's two late goals for the Panthers to tie and then take the lead against the Red Wings.  4. Hofstra coach Speedy Claxton's emotional reaction to leading his alma mater to its first NCAA tournament since 2001. (Jay Wright was the coach of that '01 team.) 3. Keon Thompson's game-winning steal and layup for Stephen F. Austin in the Southland Conference semifinals.  2. Kellen Pickett's block in the dying seconds to seal Wright State's victory over Detroit Mercy in the Horizon League championship game. The Raiders are going to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2022.  1. Beck Malenstyn's goal for the Sabres, where he put the puck through a defender's legs.  The best of SI Video SI TV goes marching into the NCAA Tournament with a five-part docuseries that chronicles the journey of coach Pat Kelsey and the Louisville men's basketball program.  Join the SI Boxing Newsletter Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix provides a weekly spotlight, featuring in-depth reporting and sharp commentary, on the biggest fights and stories inside the ring. CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE W We may receive compensation for some links to products and services included in this email. Sports Publishing Solutions Inc. 625 Broadway, 10th floor New York, NY. 10012 You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to the SI:AM newsletter. You can unsubscribe here  . Privacy Policy – Terms & Conditions © 2026 Sports Publishing Solutions Inc. All rights reserved. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. All betting and gambling content included in the SI:AM newsletter is intended for individuals 21+ (18+ in DC, KY, NH, RI, and WY). Betting and gambling content, including picks and predictions, are based on individual commentators' opinions and we do not guarantee any success or profits. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER or texting 800GAM. Click this link to view the newsletter in your browser.