NBA nullifies Bam Adebayo’s historic triple-double

Final 8:03 WILD ENDING Lakers vs Heat | November 6, 2023

The NBA has nullified the Miami Heat’s historic first 20-rebound triple-double from center Bam Adebayo in the team’s 108–107 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.

Following the game, an NBA statistical review erased the final and twentieth rebound from Adebayo. After the stat review, Adebayo’s final line was 22 points, 19 rebounds and ten assists.

Although changes during stat reviews by the NBA are commonplace during and after matches, the nullification of the rebound was met with criticisms from Heat officials.

“Come on. He was doing a big-muscle workout on the glass. Let it go. Was it a tip, or whatever? That’s 20 rebounds in my book,” said Heat coach Erik Spoelstra.

NBA nullified the rebound after reviewing a scene that involved Heat swingman Duncan Robinson securing a blocked ball from Adebayo. Instead of Adebayo, the NBA credited Robinson for the rebound.

Although the NBA rescinded Adebayo’s 20-rebound stat in the Monday game, his final tally for the match is still a triple-double, making it his seventh throughout his regular season career, including playoffs.

Silver lining from the buzzkill

Despite the rebound’s nullification, Spoelstra still lauded Adebayo’s proficiency during the game.

“Yeah, he really willed us in those moments of truth; he was the voice in the huddles. He was holding everybody to a higher standard, demanding more particularly on the defensive end of the floor, and that’s leadership,” said Spoelstra, adding that Adebayo is the “heartbeat” of his team.

Heat small forward Jimmy Butler said rebounds by Adebayo are no rare instances. “Whatever it takes to win, I think we need everyone else’s points, getting those rebounds and every assist. It’s not going to look like that every night, but when it does, and we get a win I think everybody’s happy,” Butler said.

Although Adebayo lost a twentieth rebound from Monday’s game, he became the third Heat player after Lamar Odom and Butler with a triple-double of at least 15 rebounds and 20 points. Adebayo is also the only player aside from Odom in Heat history to have 19 rebounds in their triple-double.