Bam Adebayo’s ‘just play’ mantra amid recent struggles

MIAMI – After Miami Heat’s loss to the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night, 112-91, marks the team’s eighth loss in its last nine games, showing the huge slump the franchise is in right now. Another one also suffered defeat a disappointing outing for Heat captain Bam Adebayoas the star spoke openly about recent struggles.

In the loss, Adebayo scored nine points on four-of-11 shooting from the field, along with 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Even with Adebayo averaging 18 points per game, which would be his fewest since his third season in the NBA, he is also averaging 11.8 points over the last four contests, which is clearly his slump. “shit.”

“It’s terrible,” Adebayo said after the loss to Toronto. “But that’s part of the NBA, it’s a long season. So I fight through whatever I have to fight through, figure out how I can make a difference in the win, and do that instead of focusing on the shots that aren’t falling. Just play basketball and eventually the shots will start falling.”

Adebayo has been in slumps before, but with the team slumping alongside him, he needs to turn things around quickly. Although he is convinced that it is not a mechanical problem with himself, the shot is no longer falling.

“The shots aren’t falling,” Adebayo told ClutchPoints. “That’s really what it is, and getting to my spots and figuring out how I can get a couple more touches on offense.”

Bam Adebayo said it’s “crap” when asked what it’s like to go through the current slump.

He asked him afterward if it’s a mechanical issue right now, but he attributes it more to shots not falling, talking about getting into his spots. #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/BdCtLz4Ks1G

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) December 24, 2025

Erik Spoelstra on Bama Adebayo’s struggles with the heat

With A heat that wants to break free from its chainthere’s no denying that Adebayo serves as a key part of the team, especially in keeping with the team’s new offensive philosophy in a loose, fast system that cuts down on screens. Someone who accepted some guilt for Adebayo’s struggles is head coach Erik Spoelstra.

“I’ve got to be better for him,” Spoelstra said. “But his heart is in the right place. He wants to help the team as much as he can. He’s a great competitor. This part of the season weighs on him like it would be difficult for a coach. He carries it. We can figure all those things out right now. We just have to figure out how to come together and get a win and then do it again.

Erik Spoelstra on Bam Adebayo’s struggles and getting back into rhythm. #HeatNation

“I have to be better for him. His heart is in the right place, he wants to help the team as much as he can, he’s a big competitor. This part of the season puts a lot of pressure on him like he’s a coach…” pic.tvitter.com/KhViehCDgL

— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) December 24, 2025

As Adebayo continues to adjust to Miami’s new system, especially since much of his offense has been off the pick-and-roll, he must adjust to a team that sets the fewest screens in the NBA. On the surface, Adebayo wants to lead the Heat back to winning ways, as after a 14-7 start, the team’s slump now has them at 15-15.

Adebayo is looking to snap out of his own slump with the Heat looking to get back into the win column against the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.