As Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo broke out of his slump to help the team get their first win of the season on Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks, 129-117, the captain also achieved franchise history. The win saw the Heat big man pass Udonis Haslem for the most rebounds in team history, as the captain reacted to the honor.
Being seven rebounds away from breaking Haslem's 5,791 before the game, Adebayo would get it during the game, where he broke out of his rut, leading the team with 24 points, shooting eight of 16 from the field, to go along with nine rebounds. To go along with three assists and three steals, Adebayo would describe how “special” it is to get the honor, especially when passing a mentor of his.
“I always say this, but to be No. 1 in something in a league where you’ve got so many guys that have come through this franchise and tried to leave their mark,” Adebayo said, according to The Miami Herald. “For me to be No. 1, that’s obviously special.”
“What makes it more incredible is I passed somebody who’s been with me for 10 years and has always been a phone call away, and really took me under their wing,” Adebayo continued.
Heat's Giannis Antetokounmpo congratulates Bam Adebayo
Head coach Spoelstra called Adebayo the Heat's “inspiring player of the game,” using more pick-and-rolls during the win that unlocked a more comfortable offensive outing for the 29-year-old. The locker room after would show Spoelstra giving Adebayo the game ball and Keshad Johnson pouring ice-cold water over the captain, with the coach saying that it was a “really special moment.”
Article Continues BelowThe #Heat give Bam Adebayo the game ball after breaking Udonis Haslem's all-time rebound record.
Keshad Johnson dumped ice-cold water on him lol
Video: @MiamiHEAT pic.twitter.com/QUdgIvDELz
— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) October 29, 2026
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who also had 24 points with 18 rebounds, congratulated his teammate and praised him for being a flag-bearer for the Heat for the last decade.
“He’s been 10 years in the league, 10 years in a Miami Heat uniform. I’m happy that I was able to be a part of this,” Antetokounmpo said.
At any rate, Adebayo continues to break his own rebounding record with the Heat's next game on Friday night against the Indiana Pacers in NBA Cup group play.