The 2025-26 NBA Social Justice Champion is... Bam Adebayo! Adebayo will receive the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Trophy for his efforts to help promote social justice and advancing Abdul-Jabbar’s life mission to engage, empower and drive equality for communities that have been historically disadvantaged and under-resourced. $100K to be donated to the Bam, Books, and Brotherhood Foundation.
- NBA
Mission Passed: 𝕽𝖊𝖘𝖕𝖊𝖈𝖙 +++ 🫡 Cheat Code: 𝗕𝗔𝗠𝟴𝟯 🕹️
Bam Adebayo officially owns the 2nd-highest scoring game in #NBAHistory.
#BamAdebayo #MiamiHeat
- NBA
Defensive player of the year Rudy Gobert of Minnesota headlined the team along with Wembanyama, Miami’s Bam Adebayo, New Orleans’ Herb Jones and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis.
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| FILE PHOTO - San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) shoots in front of Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson (45) in the first half of an NBA basketball game. | Photo Credit: BRANDON DILL/ AP |
Victor Wembanyama’s latest accolade was like none other.
The San Antonio center has become the first player in NBA history to make the league’s All-Defensive first team as a rookie. The league announced the teams on Tuesday, and Wembanyama appeared on 98 of the 99 ballots cast.
"Defensive player of the year Rudy Gobert of Minnesota headlined the team and was the only unanimous selection. He was joined on the first team by Wembanyama, Miami’s Bam Adebayo, New Orleans’ Herb Jones and the Los Angeles Lakers’ Anthony Davis.
“Coming into this league, obviously he had high expectations because he’s 7-3 and shooting step-back 3s. I think a lot of people paid attention more to that than what he actually did on the defensive end,” Adebayo said of Wembanyama. “So, for him to get first-team, first come around, it’s obviously a great accolade for him.”
The second-team All-Defense picks were Chicago’s Alex Caruso, Orlando’s Jalen Suggs, Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels and Boston teammates Derrick White and Jrue Holiday.
It was Gobert’s seventh5 All-Defense pick, all of them as a member of the first team. Davis is now a five-time All-Defense player, and a three-time first-team selection. Adebayo made All-Defense for the fifth time, and his first as a member of the first team. Jones made the team for the first time.
I feel it’s a long time coming, obviously,” Adebayo said of his first first-team nod. “Just staying in this moment, enjoying it, blessed to be able to be one of the ones selected.”
Wembanyama is now the sixth rookie in NBA history to make the All-Defensive Team — with the other five all earning second-team nods in their first seasons. Those five were San Antonio’s Tim Duncan in 1998, the Spurs’ David Robinson in 1990, Washington’s Manute Bol (1986), Houston’s Hakeem Olajuwon (1985) and Milwaukee’s Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970).
The All-NBA team will be revealed Wednesday. If Wembanyama makes that team, he would be the first rookie to earn that distinction since Duncan did 26 years ago.
- AP
Bam Adebayo hit a go-ahead jumper at the free-throw line with 18.8 seconds left, leading the host Miami Heat to a 99-96 win over the Orlando Magic on Friday night.
Magic star Paolo Banchero missed a short banker with 11.9 seconds left. He grabbed the rebound and missed a layup that would have put Orlando on top.
After two free throws by Miami's Haywood Highsmith, Banchero had a chance to send the game to overtime, but he missed a 3-poiner from the top of the key as the ball bounced off the back of the rim, ending the contest.
Banchero led all scorers with 25 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter. He also had eight rebounds and six assists. Orlando's Moritz Wagner scored 19 points off the bench. Miami's Duncan Robinson scored a team-high 23 points. Adebayo added 21 points and 11 rebounds.
76ers 112, Kings 93
Tobias Harris scored a season-high 37 points to lift host Philadelphia past Sacramento.
Harris, who sank 14 of 25 shots from the floor, finished two points shy of tying his career high. Tyrese Maxey added 21 points as the Sixers snapped a three-game losing streak.
Philadelphia improved to 3-7 without reigning MVP Joel Embiid, who remains out with a swollen left knee. De'Aaron Fox led the Kings with 21 points, and Domantas Sabonis added 14 points, 12 rebounds and five assists. Sacramento had won its previous two games and four of the past five.
