Heat's Kel'el Ware: Scores season high in double-double
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Ware registered 20 points (8-15 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 14 rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals in 28 minutes during Friday's 143-107 victory over the Bulls.
Ware moved to the starting lineup due to the absence of Andrew Wiggins (hip) and formed a dominant frontcourt pairing with Bam Adebayo. This was the second-year big man's fifth double-double over his last six games, averaging 14.5 points and 14.5 boards per game in that stretch. The 20-point output was also a season-high mark for Ware.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Starting Friday
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Ware is part of the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Bulls.
Ware will start alongside Bam Adebayo on Friday, stepping in for Andrew Wiggins (hip). The second-year center is averaging 11.0 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks across 26 minutes in 11 starts this season.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Pulls down 16 boards in win
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Ware notched seven points (3-10 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT) and 16 rebounds across 19 minutes during Wednesday's 110-96 win over Golden State.
With the demotion to the second unit, Ware's minutes dipped below 20, and his double-double streak was put to an end. He didn't spend any time alongside Bam Adebayo, and if he's unable to share the floor with Adebayo, his upside will be severely limited.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Second consecutive double-double
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Ware finished Wednesday's 130-116 loss to the Cavaliers with 15 points (6-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 13 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 28 minutes.
Ware has three double-doubles on the season, and all three have come during the Heat's past five games. He also notched this feat in back-to-back games for the first time in 2025-26. Ware has enjoyed an uptick in playing time due to the absence of Bam Adebayo (toe), and the second-year big man should remain in the first unit as long as Adebayo remains out.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Pulls down career-high 20 rebounds
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Ware produced 14 points (7-14 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 20 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block over 34 minutes during Monday's 140-138 overtime win over the Cavaliers.
Ware was a beast on the boards in this one, as he set a new career high in rebounds, and his defense played a pivotal role in Miami eking out the two-point win in overtime. Over the past three games as a starter, Ware has been a top-75 producer with averages of 10.0 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.0 steals per contest.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Cleared to play Monday
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Ware (hip) is available for Monday's game against the Cavaliers.
Ware is nursing a right hip flexor strain but will power through and play Monday. The center has started the past two games in place of Bam Adebayo (toe), averaging 8.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.0 blocks and 1.0 steal in 26.5 minutes per contest during that stretch. Ware is expected to make a third straight start now that he's cleared.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Probable to face Cleveland
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Ware (hip) is probable for Monday's game against the Cavaliers, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Ware is dealing with a right hip flexor strain, though he's still likely to suit up against the Cavaliers. The second-year center has started the Heat's last two games with Bam Adebayo (toe) sidelined, averaging 8.0 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 blocks while shooting just 33.3 percent from the field during that span.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Starting Friday
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Ware will move into the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Hornets, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Bam Adebayo (foot) will miss Friday's game, so Ware will draw the start in his place and will be joined by Pelle Larsson, Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell and Davion Mitchell. Ware double-doubled across 27 minutes his last time out, so he's an attractive target in daily fantasy leagues with some increased opportunity coming his way.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Retreating to bench Monday
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Ware won't start in Monday's game against the Clippers.
With Norman Powell (groin) back in action, Ware will come off the bench against Los Angeles. Over six regular-season appearances (five starts), the second-year big man has averaged 8.7 points and 6.8 rebounds in 19.8 minutes per contest.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Nearly double-doubles
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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
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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: Cleared to play Wednesday
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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: 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: Keeps rolling in preseason
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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: Team option picked up
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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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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Shut down for rest of Summer League
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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: Strong performance in SL loss
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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
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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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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Won't play Tuesday
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Ware (rest) has been ruled out for Tuesday's Summer League game against the Warriors, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Ware will rest Tuesday after playing in Sunday's loss to the Lakers. The rising star played 28 minutes, finishing with 12 points, three rebounds and one block. The next opportunity for him to suit up will be Friday, when the Heat face the Hawks in Las Vegas.
