Rookie Kel’el Ware Shines as Heat Snap Losing Streak

MIAMI — Rookie Kel'el Ware scored 25 points, matching his season high, and added 21 points on 5-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc to lead the Miami Heat to a 128-107 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday at Kaseya Center. The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Heat, who improved to 21-20 on the season.

Ware, the 7-foot rookie, showcased his versatility on both ends of the court, contributing significantly to Miami’s defensive efforts while also providing a spark on offense. His performance included a key stretch in the second half where he helped the Heat pull away with a 25-8 run. Bam Adebayo, Miami’s All-Star center, praised Ware’s potential, saying, “He’s 7-1. You can’t teach height. But also he’s athletic, coordinated, can jump, rebound, block shots. And he has a motor.”

The Heat struggled early, missing their first eight 3-point attempts, but turned things around by making 10 of their next 11 from deep. Duncan Robinson and Terry Rozier hit consecutive 3-pointers late in the second quarter, capping an 11-0 run that gave Miami a 46-41 halftime lead. The Heat never looked back, outscoring the Spurs 82-66 in the second half.

For the Spurs, Victor Wembanyama scored 23 points and added 21 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to prevent San Antonio from dropping its third straight game. The Spurs, now 19-22, reached the halfway point of their season with a losing record.

Ware’s emergence has been a bright spot for Miami, which has dealt with inconsistency and injuries throughout the season. Coach Erik Spoelstra has been cautious in integrating the rookie into the rotation, but Ware’s recent performances have made it difficult to keep him off the court. “He’s showing why he belongs,” Spoelstra said after the game.

Miami’s next game is against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, while the Spurs head to Paris for a pair of games against the Indiana Pacers later this week.