Ware produced 14 points (5-14 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 4-5 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, two steals and three blocks across 27 minutes of Saturday's 82-69 Summer League win over the Spurs.
Ware, who was selected to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2024-25, is set up to be the featured player for Miami during the Summer League. Expectations will be high in his second season after he flashed his upside as a starter -- he averaged 10.8 points on 53.6 percent shooting, 10.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks over 28.4 minutes per game in 36 regular-season starts. He hit a total of 31 three-pointers as a rookie at a 31.5 percent clip, and if Saturday was any indication, he's looking to expand his shot to the perimeter.
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.
Ware chipped in seven points (3-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt), four rebounds and one steal over 19 minutes during Wednesday's 121-112 loss to Cleveland in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Ware, who put together a terrific rookie season, has yet to find any rhythm in the postseason against Cleveland's stacked frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Through two games, Ware is averaging a mere 4.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 19.5 minutes per game.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Struggles in loss
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Ware notched two points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt), three rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 20 minutes during Sunday's 121-100 loss to the Cavaliers in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Ware has been a big part of the Heat's success during the 2024-25 campaign, but he failed to make an impact in Game 1 against Cleveland, finishing with only two points. The young center has a tall task going up against Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, but if Miami hopes to have any chances of making this a series with Cleveland, they'll need a lot more from Ware in Game 2.
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: Records another double-double
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Ware totaled 13 points (5-13 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 15 rebounds and three blocks across 35 minutes during Thursday's 110-108 loss to the Grizzlies.
Ware has looked comfortable playing alongside Bam Adebayo in the frontcourt, and while the rookie has experienced a fair share of ups and downs, he's done a good job of making his presence felt on both ends of the court for the most part. Ware has recorded six double-doubles over his last 11 outings since March 15, averaging 11.9 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game over that stretch.
Heat's Kel'el Ware: Records impressive double-double
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Ware recorded 13 points (6-6 FG, 1-1 3Pt), 14 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal over 31 minutes during Saturday's 118-95 victory over the 76ers.
Ware filled the stat sheet admirably and posted an impressive outing, hitting all six of his shots from the field while thriving as a rebounder and rim protector. This was Ware's eighth game with double-digit rebounds and multiple blocks, and it was also his 12th double-double of the campaign. The rookie seems to be adjusting well to playing alongside Bam Adebayo, and he's likely to remain in a starting role in the final weeks of the regular season.
Ware had 12 points (6-10 FG, 0-3 3Pt), eight rebounds, five assists and one block over 28 minutes during Sunday's 122-105 victory over the Hornets.
Ware finished just two boards shy of recording a double-double, but he also turned heads as a passer after delivering a new career-high mark in that category. Ware has scored in double digits in his last five appearances, a stretch in which he's averaging 14.2 points and 10.2 boards per contest.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Strong two-way showing
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Ware logged 14 points (7-10 FG, 0-2 3Pt), 12 rebounds, three blocks and one steal over 33 minutes during Wednesday's 116-113 loss to Detroit.
Ware has recorded double-doubles in each of his last two starts. While the rookie big man has shown flashes of being a reliable two-way player when given enough minutes, he's also been extremely inconsistent, alternating solid performances with some not-so-good ones. Ware is averaging 10.4 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks per game in his 23 starts this season.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Back in starting lineup
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Ware is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pistons.
The rookie big man will supplant Haywood Highsmith in the starting five Wednesday. Across his last 10 appearances in the first unit, Ware has averaged 8.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 blocks and 0.8 steals in 27.2 minutes.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Reaches double figures off bench
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Ware contributed 10 points (5-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt), six rebounds, one block and one steal in 19 minutes during Monday's 116-95 loss to New York.
Ware returned to the second unit in Monday's contest with Haywood Highsmith starting, going on to lead all Heat bench players in rebounds while finishing as one of five Miami players with a double-digit point total. Ware has reached double figures in scoring in six outings when coming off the bench.
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