Kel’el Ware’s Breakout Stretch a Bright Spot Amid Heat’s Recent Slide
MIAMI - The Miami Heat are in the middle of a rough patch, dropping seven of their last eight games heading into Tuesday night’s matchup with the Toronto Raptors. But even in the middle of this slump, there’s been one undeniable silver lining: Kel’el Ware is starting to look like a real difference-maker.
The 22-year-old big man has been on a tear lately, and while Miami’s 135-127 loss to the Knicks on Sunday added another L to the standings, it also featured a career night from Ware - and it’s the kind of performance that’s hard to ignore.
Let’s start with the numbers. Over the last three games, Ware has averaged 24.7 points and 15 rebounds, shooting a blistering 71% from the field.
That’s not just efficient - that’s dominant. And the real eyebrow-raiser?
He’s hit 12 of his last 16 three-point attempts. That’s 75% from deep - from a 7-footer.
That kind of shooting touch from a big is rare, and it’s starting to change the way teams have to defend Miami, even as the losses pile up.
Sunday’s game against New York wasn’t just another solid outing - it was historic. Ware dropped a career-high 28 points, pulled down 19 boards, and hit five threes.
No one in Heat history has ever put up that stat line before. And it’s not just a one-off.
Ware has quietly become one of the most efficient long-range shooting bigs in the league, hitting 48% of his threes this season (36-for-75). Among players with at least 70 attempts from beyond the arc, that ranks second in the entire NBA.
Asked Erik Spoelstra about what’s changed for Kel’el Ware.
— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) December 23, 2025
Plus, asked him about the relationship with assistant Malik Allen, who Spo says is one of the most underrated coaches.
“It’s tough love, you guys think I’m tough on Kel’el…”
Full response w/ great insight: #HeatNation pic.twitter.com/tD22t5keqn
But Ware’s impact goes beyond the scoring column. His rebounding has taken a noticeable leap.
Heading into Tuesday’s game, he holds the fourth-best defensive rebounding percentage in the league at 19%. That means nearly one out of every five available defensive boards is ending up in his hands - a huge boost for a Miami team that’s struggled at times to control the glass.
Head coach Erik Spoelstra has taken notice - not just of the numbers, but of the growth Ware is showing both on and off the court.
“I want there to be some surprises - not just with Kel’el, but with other guys too,” Spoelstra said. “He’s handling things the right way.
He’s being held accountable to winning basketball. And that doesn’t have to be a negative thing.
We all want the same thing: better results, faster growth.”
Spoelstra also acknowledged the challenge of balancing patience with urgency - especially with a young player flashing this kind of upside.
“I want him to play like he’s 28,” Spoelstra added with a smile. “That’s not realistic, but a little bit of impatience is good - as long as everyone handles it the right way. His play is clearly improving, and I want to fuel that.”
A key part of Ware’s development has come through his relationship with assistant coach Malik Allen, who’s been working closely with the former Indiana standout. Spoelstra described their dynamic as a mix of tough love and mentorship - the kind of bond that can accelerate a young player’s growth.
“They’ve got a great relationship,” Spoelstra said. “Sometimes it’s tough love.
You guys think I’m hard on Kel’el - I love it. But Malik’s the first guy to put an arm around him and say, ‘Let’s go grab some lunch.’
I love watching that.”
For a Heat team that’s been hovering around .500 - sitting at 15-14 heading into the Raptors game - Ware’s emergence is more than just a feel-good story. It’s a potential turning point.
If he can keep up this level of production, or even something close to it, Miami’s ceiling changes. They suddenly have a stretch-five who can rebound, protect the rim, and stretch defenses out to the perimeter - all while still learning the NBA game.
There’s still a long road ahead for both Ware and the Heat. But in a season that’s had its share of frustration, the rise of Kel’el Ware is giving Miami something to build on - and maybe even something to believe in.