Kel'el Ware #7 of the Miami Heat collects a rebound against Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter at Kaseya Center on December 29, 2025 in Miami. Rich Storry Getty Images
Through the first few months of Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware’s second NBA season, he has produced plenty of encouraging moments. But there have also been some rough nights for Ware.
What’s the key to getting more consistent play from the 21-year-old Ware?
“Let me know,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said when asked that question following Tuesday’s 28-point loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. “We’re working on it, and he’s had more good moments than not.”
Ware has definitely had plenty of good moments in his second NBA season, as he entered Thursday night’s matchup against the Bulls in Chicago averaging 12.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 54.8% from the field and 43% on 2.9 three-point attempts per game through the first 37 games of his second NBA season. That’s up from Ware’s rookie production, when he averaged 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game while shooting 55.4% from the field and 31.5% on threes.
Among the 165 NBA players who entered Thursday with at least 105 three-point attempts this season, Ware’s three-point shooting percentage ranks 13th best. And among the 23 centers around the NBA who have put up at least 105 threes this season, Ware ranks second behind only Denver Nuggets three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
Ware has also been among the NBA’s best rebounders this season. Among the 194 players around the league who have played at least 30 games this season, Ware entered Thursday with the NBA’s second-best rebounding percentage (the percentage of available defensive rebounds a player grabs when he’s on the court) at 18.8% behind only Philadelphia Andre Drummond.
“These experiences are good for him,” Spoelstra continued on Ware. “His growth has been immense, but it has not been linear. It’s been a lot of [ups and downs], and he’s significantly better than where he was last year at this time.”
Kel'el Ware #7 of the Miami Heat looks on in the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 21, 2025 in New York City. Evan Bernstein Getty Images
Now, Spoelstra wants Ware to prove he deserves to stay in the Heat’s starting lineup.
While the 6-foot-9 Bam Adebayo is a fixture in the Heat’s starting group, Ware has been given an opportunity to start alongside Adebayo to form a double-big frontcourt. Entering Thursday’s matchup against the Bulls, Adebayo and Ware have started five straight games together.
But the results have been underwhelming, as the Heat has been outscored by 7.7 points per 100 possessions in the 266 minutes that Adebayo and Ware have played together this season. Among the Heat’s 34 two-man lineups that have played at least 200 minutes together this season, the Adebayo-Ware pairing has the second-worst net rating.
“Sometimes things take some time, and it’ll get there,” Spoelstra said of the Adebayo-Ware frontcourt. “I think the want level is there for them and us. The physicality and the size give us something different. You have to have a lot of different lineups if you want to be a great team. You can’t just have one lineup. You have to be able to check a lot of boxes. And the double-big lineup is something that is very important for us. It won’t be our only lineup, obviously.
“But the rebounding, the offensive rebounding, the physicality is paramount for us when we play that lineup. It doesn’t make sense if they’re not imposing that physicality and size on both sides of the floor.”
BACK WITH THE HEAT
With second-year forward Keshad Johnson out of the Heat’s rotation, he was sent to the G League on Jan. 2 for the first time this season.
Johnson, who went undrafted last year, took advantage of his three-day stay in the G League before returning to the Heat on Monday. He averaged 22.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, three assists, three steals and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting 58.6% from the field and 9 of 15 (60%) from three-point range in two games with the Heat’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
“He’s getting a lot of development here and great mentorship from the vets. But his continued development on the court is important as well,” Spoelstra said of sending Johnson to the G League for a few games earlier this month. “He played well there and just continues to grow and improve in a lot of different aspects.”
Johnson entered Thursday with 131 minutes logged over 15 appearances in the NBA during the Heat’s first 37 games this season.
“It’s always good to play basketball,” Johnson, 24, said. “That’s what we come here for, basketball first. So being out there to play and just get the cobwebs off, get some good burn, get my wind back, get a game-like feeling. Couldn’t ask for nothing just to keep the screws tightened.”
INJURY REPORT
Heat sixth man Jaime Jaquez Jr. is listed as questionable for Thursday’s matchup against the Bulls with a sprained right ankle. He has missed the last two games with his sprained ankle.
The Heat ruled out Terry Rozier (not with team), Vlad Goldin (G League) and Jahmir Young (G League).
The rest of Miami’s roster is expected to be available for Thursday’s game in Chicago.