Erik Spoelstra called it the ‘best game’ that Kel’el Ware has played with the Heat
.JPG "Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives the ball around Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware (7) during the first half of a game on Nov. 10, 2025, at Kaseya Center in Miami.")
The worst stretch of Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware’s young NBA career might have come against the Cleveland Cavaliers in his first NBA playoff series in April. But arguably the best game of Ware’s young NBA career came seven months later in his first matchup against the Cavaliers since that rough playoff series.
After totaling just 19 points, 19 rebounds and two blocks in 73 minutes during the Heat’s four-game sweep at the hands of the Cavaliers in his first playoff experience, Ware held his own against the Cavaliers’ talented frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in Monday night’s 140-138 overtime win over the Cavaliers at Kaseya Center.
“Just remembering what happened last year, I just took it as motivation through the summer and for this season to battle, do my job and get rebounds,” Ware, 21, said.
Ware definitely grabbed rebounds in Monday’s win against the Cavaliers, totaling 14 points and a career-high 20 rebounds while making his third straight start in place of the injured Bam Adebayo. Ware was even relied on to be on the court for all but one second of overtime, and finished the victory with a positive plus/minus of plus-6 in his 34 minutes of playing time.
“That’s the best game he’s played in a Miami Heat uniform,” Spoelstra said, with the Heat preparing to again host the Cavaliers on Wednesday (7:30 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network Sun). “I don’t care what the stats are. I know he had 20 rebounds. But those efforts on the glass were incredible. And he was reliable defensively. He was with it. He was in the right spots. Mobley made a couple great shots, but Kel’el was there. He was there, doing the right thing.”
For Ware, that praise from Spoelstra is especially meaningful after being publicly challenged by Spoelstra multiple times in recent months.
“I feel like that’s something they always wanted to see,” said Ware, who was taken by the Heat with the 15th overall pick in last year’s draft. “They’ve been wanting to see it from me. It feels [good] to see them encouraging me on that end and proud of me for bringing that out.”
But Spoelstra also understands that there will be more bumps along the road for Ware as a player still early in his second NBA season.
“It’s not linear. It’s not,” Spoelstra said of Ware’s growth. “He had a really good summer of development, but he started out summer league kind of slow, then finished with two really strong games. His last game was the most impactful game that led to a win against Boston. And then it was kind of uneven in the preseason and at the start of the season.
“But he’s been diligent. He shows up every day with a mind-set to get better. He and [Heat assistant coach Malik Allen] have a beautiful working relationship. They spend so much time together. And when you’re dealing with young players, you just have to embrace that unknown, embrace the possibilities and understand that it’s not always just going to be a rocket ship, straightforward. So we want to be patient, but you also want to be impatient through the process. So it’s a fine balance.”
CAVS NOT HAPPY
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson was ejected late in the third quarter for arguing the lopsided free-throw discrepancy in Monday’s loss to the Heat.
The Heat outscored the Cavaliers 36-19 at the foul line with the help of a 41-27 advantage in free-throw attempts. The third quarter was a big part of that discrepancy, as the Heat took 21 free throws to the Cavaliers’ four free throws in the period.
“I’ll just say that it was [21 to 4] in free throws in the third quarter — 21 to 4,” Atkinson said following Monday’s loss in Miami. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen that in all my years in the NBA, 21 to 4. So, I let them know that I wasn’t pleased with that. They tossed me for it, but I’ll stick with my protest. And I felt like I had to stick up for my team when it’s 21 to 4. When the disparity is that great, you’ve got to stick up for your guys.”
ESPN DROPS GAME
The NBA announced Tuesday that ESPN will no longer televise the Heat’s home game against Jimmy Butler and the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Because of ESPN dropping the game, the start time for next week’s Heat-Warriors matchup has been moved from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
INJURY REPORT
Adebayo (left big toe sprain) will miss his fourth straight game for the Heat on Wednesday against the visiting Cavaliers.
The Heat also remains without Tyler Herro (left ankle surgery), Terry Rozier (not with team), Myron Gardner (G League) and Jahmir Young (G League) against the Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers will be far from full strength for Wednesday’s game against the Heat, ruling out Darius Garland (toe injury management), Donovan Mitchell (rest), Mobley (rest), Max Strus (left foot surgery) and Jaylon Tyson (concussion). In addition, Larry Nance Jr. is questionable because of a left knee contusion.
This story was originally published November 11, 2025 at 2:52 PM.
