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Spoelstra Praises Kel’el Ware as Bam–Ware Frontcourt Lifts Heat Into All-Star Break

Spoelstra’s endorsement signals a reset for the young center’s role.

Overview

  • Injuries to Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell, Pelle Larsson and Tyler Herro led Miami to start Kel’el Ware with Bam Adebayo in a 123-111 win at New Orleans.
  • Were delivered 16 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks with a plus-18 in the Pelicans game, complementing Adebayo’s 27 points and 14 boards.
  • Miami is plus-68 in 42 minutes with the Adebayo–Ware duo over the past three games, a promising but small sample reported against lottery-level competition.
  • After January’s widely criticized remark and subsequent walkback, Erik Spoelstra publicly credited Ware’s improved process over the past month.
  • Ware was selected for the Rising Stars event in Los Angeles, and his minutes remain tied to health, matchups and consistency when the Heat return from the break.