"Ware has had an unfortunate up and down 2025-26 season that doesn't have anything to really do with his performance, but more so his role. He has been in and out of the starting lineup as the starting big man alongside Bam Adebayo on several occasions. This has mostly been due to Tyler Herro's availability as a starter impacting the rest of the rotation. However, when Ware has been out there for extended time with the first unit, he has put up dominant numbers. The 7-footer has averaged a 13.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks double-double in 27 games as a starter this season."
"In a more recent three-game stretch as a starter, Ware averaged a monstrous 25 points, 15 rebounds and elite 87% true shooting percentage. Despite a clear impact being shown when given the opportunity, coach Erik Spoelstra has continued to repeatedly mess up his flow. And he hasn't held back on questionable public criticism towards his 21-year-old big man, either."
"Spo on Kel'el getting just 9 minutes:"He needs to get back to where he was 7, 8 weeks ago when everyone felt he was stacking good days. He's stacking days in the wrong direction now... make sure you're ready to a point it makes me want to play you more." pic.twitter.com/NBMKXqGgmJ- Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) January 16, 2026 More on this Spo quote on Ware: "I get it with some young players- you sometimes subconsciously play poorly to say, 'hey, I'll play poorly until you play me the minutes I think I deserve and then I'll play well'... that's not how it works." Sheesh.😳 pic.twitter.com/NBMKXqGOch- Hot Hot Hoops (@hothothoops) January 16, 2026"
Kel'el Ware has experienced inconsistent minutes and role shifts during the 2025-26 season largely driven by lineup changes and Tyler Herro's availability. When given extended time as the starting big alongside Bam Adebayo, Ware produced strong numbers, averaging 13.2 points, 11.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks across 27 starts and posting a recent three-game stretch of 25 points, 15 rebounds with an 87% true shooting rate. Despite on-court impact, the coaching staff has frequently limited his minutes and publicly criticized his recent play, suggesting regression and implying young players sometimes underperform to force playing time. The pattern raises concerns about Ware's development and rhythm.
Read at Hot Hot Hoops - Miami HEAT NBA Blog
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