Miami recalled Ware from the G League's Sioux Falls Skyforce on Monday.
Ware played in Sunday's 114-112 G League loss to Grand Rapids, finishing with 20 points (9-14 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), 10 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and two steals over 31 minutes. At the NBA level, however, Ware has played just 6.9 minutes per game across 10 contests.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Assigned to G League Friday
Rotowire
Ware was assigned to the Heat's G League affiliate and has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Suns.
Ware will return to the G League, and he hasn't played in an NBA game since Nov. 27 due in part to right foot tendinitis. However, the rookie has been cleared to play and is expected to suit up for the Sioux Falls Skyforce's next matchup against the Grand Rapids Gold on Sunday.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Downgraded to questionable Sunday
Rotowire
Ware is questionable for Sunday's game against the Raptors due to right foot tendinitis, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Ware was a late addition to the injury report while he deals with a lingering foot issue. The rookie has yet to carve out a significant role with the club and has appeared in three of its last five games, during which he averaged 2.0 points and 2.3 rebounds across 7.3 minutes per game.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Limited role continues
Rotowire
Ware finished with four points (1-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, one block and one steal over 12 minutes during Wednesday's 98-94 victory over Charlotte.
Ware continues to be used sparingly off the bench, logging double-digit minutes for just the second time all season. Despite putting together a strong preseason, Ware has struggled to carve out a consistent role. It does appear as though he has edged ahead of Thomas Bryant in the rotation, something that is certainly a step in the right direction. However, barring an injury to Bam Adebayo, Ware is likely to be limited moving forward.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Rolls ankle, still available
Rotowire
Ware rolled his left ankle during Miami's morning shootaround, but he's still available for Tuesday's game against the Pistons, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald reports.
Ware played nine minutes against Minnesota on Sunday, posting four points and three blocks. While he'll be available, he's not guaranteed playing time. Ware didn't appear in four of Miami's first six games but has totaled 25 minutes over the last three contests.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Solid finish to preseason
Rotowire
Ware tallied 16 points (7-17 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two steals over 28 minutes in Friday's 114-109 preseason win over the Grizzlies.
Ware saw extended playing time off the bench Friday as Bam Adebayo (rest) and the other prominent Heat players sat for the preseason finale. Ware led the Heat with seven rebounds, and he was responsible for both of Miami's blocked shots. Ware will likely begin the 2024-25 regular season as the primary backup at center, but his willingness to shoot from three means he could share the floor with Adebayo.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Cruises to double-double
Rotowire
Ware tallied 21 points (8-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 5-6 FT), 10 rebounds and one block over 32 minutes during Monday's Summer League Championship Game against the Grizzlies.
Ware, who was named to the NBA 2K25 All-Summer League First Team earlier in the day, put together yet another strong performance to finish out Summer League play. He secured a double-double with his strong rebounding effort and scored efficiently, knocking down 80.0 percent of his tries from the field in an overtime thriller.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Drops 17 points
Rotowire
Ware produced 17 points (7-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-4 FT), three rebounds, three assists and three blocks in 25 minutes during Saturday's 119-114 Summer League win over Boston.
Ware came into this outing with a ton of hype after averaging 19.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game in his previous two Summer League outings. His path to fantasy value is obstructed by the presence of Bam Adebayo, but Ware has the potential to run away with the backup center role.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Shines in Summer League
Rotowire
Ware recorded 26 points (12-21 FG, 2-5 FT, 0-2 3Pt), 11 rebounds, three assists and a block in 29 minutes during Sunday's 102-86 win over the Kings in the California Classic Summer League.
Ware was dominant for the Heat's Summer League team Sunday, recording game-high marks in points and rebounds. The 15th overall pick has averaged 19.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game across his first two Summer League outings, showing clear flashes of upside.
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Heat's Kel'el Ware: Drafted by Heat at No. 15
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Ware was selected by the Heat with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
As a sophomore last year in Indiana, Ware earned spots on the All-Big Ten Second Team (media) and the All-Big Ten Defensive Team. The 7-footer showed upside as a rim-protecting stretch five, blocking 1.9 shots and making 0.6 threes at 42.5 percent in 32.2 minutes per game. He's also a phenomenal athlete capable of highlight-reel dunks, giving him intriguing offensive upside in a league so reliant on pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop offense. The reason Ware is being drafted in the middle of the first round rather than higher is largely due to mixed effort and decision-making, not to mention a lack of desire to play with physicality. In terms of his immediate role, Ware could slot in as Bam Adebayo's backup, though there's potential for the two to share the floor.
