Heat Blow Out Bulls, But All Eyes Are on Kel’el Ware and Spoelstra’s Youth Movement
MIAMI - The Miami Heat didn’t just bounce back Sunday night-they made a statement. Missing newly minted All-Star Norman Powell, the Heat steamrolled the Chicago Bulls in a 134-91 win that tied the largest margin of victory in franchise history. But while the scoreboard lit up, the real story was brewing beneath the surface: the evolving relationship between head coach Erik Spoelstra and rookie big man Kel’el Ware.
After playing just three minutes in Saturday’s loss, Ware responded in a big way. The 7-footer dropped 17 points on 8-of-15 shooting, pulled down six rebounds, and finished with a +25 in just 22 minutes of action.
It wasn’t just the numbers-it was the energy. Ware looked active, engaged, and confident, a stark contrast from the previous night.
Spoelstra, who’s been fielding questions about Ware’s playing time for weeks, didn’t wait to be asked this time. He brought up the rookie unprompted, clearly aware of the growing attention around the young center’s role.
“Since one of you guys will probably ask about Kel’el,” Spoelstra said with a knowing grin. “Kel’el gave us really solid minutes tonight.
I was encouraged by his defensive activity… he gave us the vertical spacing when we needed it. He shot the three when he needed to.
Those are things we can build on.”
Spoelstra also acknowledged Ware’s recent hamstring injury, which sidelined him for four games during the last road trip, and noted the past couple of weeks had been “a little bit uneven” as the rookie worked his way back into rhythm. Sunday, though, was a step in the right direction.
Ware’s selection to the 2026 Rising Stars game only adds fuel to the conversation. His potential is clear, and his flashes of two-way impact have fans-and analysts-wondering why his minutes haven’t been more consistent. With Nikola Jovic out due to a hip injury and Bam Adebayo limited to just 22 minutes in the blowout, the door opened for Ware, and he walked right through it.
But Spoelstra’s message wasn’t just about one player. He took the opportunity to speak broadly about the team’s youth movement, which has become a defining theme of this season. The Heat are leaning on more young talent than they have in recent years, and Spoelstra knows the responsibility that comes with that.
“I have to do a better job with this group,” he said. “We have the potential that we can see.
We have the explosiveness. We have the defense.
And it’s a matter of consistency. That’s what I’m here for-along with the veterans-to help build that consistency.”
Spoelstra emphasized the delicate balance between holding young players accountable and instilling confidence in them. “We have more of ’em than we’ve had in recent history,” he said, referring to a roster that includes Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Pelle Larsson, Kasparas Jakucionis, Myron Garder, and others.
“But also develop them and infuse confidence in them. And that’s a fine balance… I want to take that challenge, and I want to be better with that these final 30 games.”
Erik Spoelstra would speak about Kel’el Ware‘s positive minutes tonight:
— Zachary Weinberger (@ZachWeinberger) February 2, 2026
“Since one of you will ask about Kel'el, he gave us really solid minutes tonight, I was encouraged by his defensive activity. Its good to have him get some extended minutes...“ #HeatNation
Full response: pic.twitter.com/aSR0F6GJ1G
At 27-24, the Heat sit eighth in the Eastern Conference, a team still figuring itself out as the playoff race heats up. Sunday’s blowout win was a reminder of what this group is capable of when it clicks. But the real test lies ahead: finding consistency, developing the young core, and navigating the final stretch with an eye on both the present and the future.
Next up: a Wednesday night matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. Another chance for Miami to build momentum-and perhaps, for Ware to continue carving out his place in the rotation.