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
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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: 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.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Invisible in Game 4 thumping
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Ware closed with two points (1-6 FG, 0-4 3Pt) and seven rebounds across 15 minutes during Monday's 138-83 loss to Cleveland in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Ware barely troubled the statisticians in terms of the scoring column, ending what has been a serviceable rookie campaign. Initially out of the rotation altogether, Ware eventually moved into a meaningful role, flashing some upside on both sides of the court. He is an intriguing prospect and one of the few positives to come out of the season for Miami.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Double-doubles in blowout
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Ware racked up 10 points (5-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 11 rebounds, two assists and two blocks across 26 minutes during Friday's 153-104 win over the Pelicans.
Ware recorded his 15th double-double of the season during Friday's blowout win. Since moving to the starting lineup on Jan. 21, the rookie big man has proven to be a consistent shot-blocker, averaging 1.3 blocks across 35 appearances.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Snags 17 boards in win
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Ware produced 19 points (8-16 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 17 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal over 35 minutes during Monday's 117-105 victory over the 76ers.
Ware bounced back from a sluggish performance Saturday against the Bucks, notching his second double-double in three appearances. He led his team on the glass with 17 rebounds, which marked a new season high for the 20-year-old rookie. Ware has been less reliable in the scoring department of late, as he's been held to single digits in three of his last five matchups.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Back to bench Monday
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Ware is not in Miami's starting lineup against New York on Monday, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Ware is coming off a double-double against the Grizzlies on Saturday. He has started in all but one game he's played in since Jan. 21, but he'll come off the bench Monday while Jaime Jaquez enters the Heat's starting five. Ware should still see meaningful minutes in a reserve role behind Bam Adebayo.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Records double-double
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Ware ended Saturday's 125-91 loss to the Grizzlies with 19 points (8-14 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 1-3 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and one steal over 36 minutes.
The Heat looked overmatched in this 34-point loss to the Grizzlies, but Ware was one of the few standout performers for Miami. The rookie out of Indiana posted his first double-double since Feb. 23, when he supplied12 points and 12 boards against the Bucks. Ware is certainly more valuable in dynasty formats than in standard leagues, but he will continue to have a decent floor as long as he remains in a starting role, which is likely to be the case for the rest of the season.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Shifting to bench Friday
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Ware is not in the Heat's starting lineup against the Celtics on Friday.
Ware has started in every game he has appeared in since Jan. 21. The rookie first rounder will shift to a reserve role Friday as head coach Erik Spoelstra goes with Bam Adebayo at the five with Jaime Jaquez and Andrew Wiggins rounding out the Heat's starting frontcourt.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Makes defensive impact in return
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Ware (knee) tallied seven points (3-7 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, two steals and two blocks across 26 minutes Saturday in the Heat's 114-109 loss to the Bulls.
Back in action after a three-game absence due to a left knee sprain, Ware took back his spot in the starting five alongside Bam Adebayo. The rookie took a back seat on the offensive end to fellow starters Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Andrew Wiggins, but Ware piled up some useful numbers defensively. Since moving into a starting role Jan. 21, Ware is now averaging 10.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.7 three-pointers in 29.2 minutes while shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 76.2 percent from the free-throw line over 19 games.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Good to go Saturday
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Ware (knee) is available for Saturday's game against the Bulls, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports.
Ware had sat out the Heat's last three games with a left knee sprain, but he's made enough progress to give it a go Saturday. With Ware back in the fold, Kevin Love is likely to move to the bench. Since entering the starting lineup Jan. 21, Ware has averaged 10.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks over 29.4 minutes per game.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Out Monday with knee sprain
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Ware has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Wizards due to a right knee sprain.
Ware appeared to tweak his knee late in Sunday's 116-112 overtime loss to the Knicks, but he returned to action briefly thereafter while sporting a bit of a limp. He turned in one of his better performances of late with 12 points (6-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt), eight rebounds and six blocks over 29 minutes, but the Heat will elect to hold him out for the second leg of a back-to-back set. With the rookie sidelined, the Heat will likely move Bam Adebayo back to center and could reopen a spot in the rotation for Kevin Love to serve as Adebayo's backup. Kyle Anderson and Haywood Highsmith will be the primary candidates to absorb minutes at power forward.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Good to go Wednesday
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Ware (ankle) is available in Wednesday's game against Atlanta.
Despite dealing with left ankle discomfort, Ware will give it a go Wednesday and play through the issue. There's no indication the rookie big man will face any restrictions against the Hawks. Over his last 15 games, Ware has averaged 10.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.7 steals in 29.6 minutes.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Probable for Wednesday
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Ware (ankle) is listed as probable for Wednesday's game against the Hawks.
Ware hasn't missed a game since Dec. 20 and is likely to suit up against the Hawks despite left ankle discomfort. The rookie big man has started in each of his last 15 appearances, during which he has averaged 10.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 blocks across 29.5 minutes per contest. Ware could see a slight uptick in playing time if Bam Adebayo (calf) is downgraded from questionable to out.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Big night on glass
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Ware totaled eight points (4-7 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 0-1 FT), 15 rebounds, three assists and one block over 24 minutes during Monday's 98-86 loss to the Hawks.
The rookie center tied his career high in boards, and Ware likely would have established a new personal best if he hadn't sat out the entire fourth quarter. It's not clear what prompted that decision from coach Erik Spoelstra -- Ware came into the game nursing an ankle issue, but per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, no new injury was reported by the team. Ware did extend his streak of games with at least one rejection to seven, a stretch in which he's averaging 9.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 blocks.
