Ware finished with 24 points (9-17 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and two steals over 25 minutes during Sunday's 120-104 preseason loss to the Magic.
Ware took full advantage of his opportunity to start, needing only 25 minutes to turn in a double-double. He led the Heat in both points and rebounds, but it wasn't quite enough to secure a victory. Even so, Sunday's performance is a clear indication that the big man is ready for the 2025-26 regular season.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Joins starting lineup
Rotowire
Ware will start Sunday's preseason game against Orlando, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
With Bam Adebayo resting and Nikola Jovic (back) out, Ware will get his first start of the preseason. He's been a clear standout in Miami's exhibition slate thus far.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Keeps rolling in preseason
Rotowire
Ware generated 29 points (12-19 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block across 26 minutes of Wednesday's 112-107 preseason loss to San Antonio.
Ware has come off the bench in each of Miami's three preseason games, with Nikola Jovic and Bam Adebayo filling the starting power forward and center slots. Despite his role with the second unit, Ware has been dominant. He's averaging 19.0 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. The 21-year-old started in 36 of 64 regular-season games as a rookie last season.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Double-doubles in preseason loss
Rotowire
Ware contributed 18 points (7-15 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 13 rebounds and one steal across 23 minutes in Monday's 103-93 preseason loss to the Bucks.
Ware tied the game high in points and led all players in rebounds en route to a double-double. The second-year big man has come off the bench in each of the Heat's two preseason games, totaling 28 points, 22 rebounds and two steals across 41 total minutes. Ware started 36 of his 64 regular-season appearances in 2024-25 and is expected to compete with Nikola Jovic for a starting job alongside Bam Adebayo ahead of the regular season.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Strong showing off bench
Rotowire
Ware recorded 10 points (4-10 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds and a steal across 18 minutes off the bench in Saturday's 126-118 preseason loss to the Magic.
Ware didn't start this game, but he outperformed Bam Adebayo, who posted seven points while missing each of his five shots from the field (0-5 FG, 7-8 FT). Ware isn't going to replace Adebayo in the starting lineup any time soon, but a couple more strong showings in the preseason could boost his case for a starting nod once the regular season begins in late October.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Not starting vs. Orlando
Rotowire
Ware is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's preseason game against the Magic, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
The Heat will go with Bam Adebayo at center for this preseason tune-up in Puerto Rico, and the rest of the lineup will feature Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell, Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez. Ware is reportedly fighting for a starting spot ahead of the Oct. 22 season opener against Orlando.
Miami exercised its 2026-27 team option for Ware on Tuesday, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
This was simply a formality for Miami. Ware, who was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2024-25, has shown that he can be a long-term building block for the franchise. Ware is expected to start alongside Bam Adebayo this season after thriving in that role last season.
Heat's Kel'el Ware: Shut down for rest of Summer League
Rotowire
Ware (not injury related) won't play another game in the Las Vegas Summer League, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Following an impressive double-double performance in Monday's win against the Celtics, Ware's stint in the Las Vegas Summer League has come to an end. The Indiana product put up some strong performances during his time in Las Vegas, showcasing why he's a rising star in the NBA with a potentially bright future ahead.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Massive double-double in SL win
Rotowire
Ware amassed 21 points (8-15 FG, 3-3 3Pt, 2-4 FT), 15 rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block across 33 minutes in Monday's 100-96 Summer League win over the Celtics.
Ware posted a game-high mark in rebounds and finished as the Heat's third-leading scorer. The big man also tied the team lead in three-pointers during an efficient outing. The 21-year-old has now delivered back-to-back Summer League appearances with 21 points and multiple made triples.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Strong performance in SL loss
Rotowire
Ware logged 21 points (8-14 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 3-5 FT), nine rebounds, three blocks and a steal in 27 minutes during Sunday's 92-72 loss to the Cavaliers.
Ware was a bright spot for Miami in their loss Sunday, logging game-highs in scoring and blocks while leading his team in rebounding. Ware is the focal point for the Heat during Summer League, and Sunday was a great performance following a mediocre first game in Las Vegas, where he logged 10 points, six rebounds, one steal and a block while holding the team's lowest plus-minus at -21.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Will play in Summer League opener
Rotowire
Ware (rest) has been cleared to play in Friday's Summer League game against the Hawks, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
After resting during the final game of the California Classic, Ware will make his return to the floor to get the Summer League underway in Las Vegas. The rising star finished with 12 points, three rebounds and one block in his last outing against the Warriors.
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