Ware racked up 14 points (4-13 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 4-5 FT), nine rebounds and one assist over 27 minutes during Tuesday's 144-117 win over the Hornets.
For the second time this season, Ware finished one rebound shy of a double-double. His role continues to trend up as coach Erik Spoelstra is seemingly content with him playing alongside Bam Adebayo. Through four games, Ware is on pace for 11th-round fantasy value in nine-category formats with averages of 11.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks in 21.2 minutes.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Flirts with double-double in start
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Ware ended with 19 points (8-12 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal over 23 minutes during Friday's 146-114 victory over Memphis.
Ware moved back into the starting lineup, falling one rebound short of a double-double. While this was an encouraging performance, it could have been even better had the game been remotely close. It appears as though the Heat's starting lineup could differ from one night to the next, depending on the opponent. With that said, Ware should be able to do enough, whether starting or coming off the bench, to maintain fantasy value, even in standard leagues.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Will start vs. Memphis
Rotowire
Ware will be in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Grizzlies.
Ware played only 14 minutes off the bench during the team's season opener against the Magic and didn't make much of an impact during that short time on the floor. He'll be joined by Davion Mitchell, Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins and Bam Adebayo in the first five.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Eased back into action Wednesday
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Ware (neck/ankle) racked up seven points (3-5 FG, 1-2 3Pt), four rebounds, one block and one steal over 14 minutes during Wednesday's 125-121 loss to Orlando.
While Ware was able to play through neck spasms and an ankle sprain, the Heat decided to ease him back into the lineup by deploying him from the bench. Nikola Jovic started at power forward in his place, but the former scored just nine points in 23 minutes of action. Ware was a popular breakout candidate for 2025-26 after a strong rookie campaign, and it shouldn't be long before he supplants Jovic in Miami's first unit.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Cleared to play Wednesday
Rotowire
Ware (ankle) is available for Wednesday's season opener against the Magic, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
A sprained ankle won't be enough to keep Ware from playing Wednesday. The second-year big man wouldn't figure to have a noticeable minutes restriction, but he will come off the bench, with Nikola Jovic starting at power forward. Last regular season, Ware averaged 10.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks per contest in 36 games as a starter during his rookie campaign.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Goes through shootaround
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Ware (ankle/neck) participated in Wednesday's morning shootaround, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
According to coach Erik Spoelstra, Ware remains questionable to face the Magic on Wednesday. However, it does appear that he's trending in the right direction. If Ware can get through warmups with no setbacks, he could get the green light to play through his injuries.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Iffy for Wednesday
Rotowire
Ware (neck/ankle) is questionable for Wednesday's season opener against the Magic, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Ware was initially listed as probable for Wednesday, which has changed after he suffered an ankle injury in Tuesday's practice. The Indiana product dealt with neck spasms, resulting in him being held out of Monday's practice. If Ware is unable to play in the season opener, the team will likely lean on Nikola Jovic (back) in the frontcourt.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Probable for Wednesday
Rotowire
Ware (neck) is probable for Wednesday's game against the Magic, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Ware was held out of practice Monday, though it sounds like the team was being overly cautious. Coach Erik Spoelstra hasn't committed to a starting lineup yet, but Ware did not see a start alongside Bam Adebayo during the final three preseason games.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Dealing with neck spasms
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Ware didn't practice Monday due to neck spasms, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
It doesn't sound like a significant issue, though it's enough to leave Ware's status in the dark for Wednesday's season opener against the Magic. If he can't play, it's possible Jaime Jaquez will be needed to make a spot start.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Double-doubles in 30 minutes
Rotowire
Ware posted a 20-point (7-15 FG, 6-6 FT), 14-rebound double-double during Friday's 141-125 preseason loss to the Grizzlies, adding one steal, one block and one turnover across 30 minutes.
Ware has been lighting it up for Miami throughout the preseason, posting averages of 17.4 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.0 steal per game in just 22.4 minutes a night. He looks poised to open the season as a full-time starter in Miami, and the Heat will need his offense with Tyler Herro (ankle) set to begin the year sidelined.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Drops 24 points in exhibition
Rotowire
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
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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.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Team option picked up
Rotowire
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.
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