Erik Spoelstra’s three-point demand to Kel’el Ware in the middle of a hot stretch

As it is The Miami Heat had a disappointing matchup against the Boston Celtics In a 129-116 loss on Friday night, many impressive performances gave the team some comfort for the future. Besides that Rookie Kasparas Yakutsionis makes his first career start and impressesit was also another remarkable exit from Kel’el Ware.

Watching Miami’s young center, the last two games have been great, scoring 24 and 22 points against the Celtics and Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, two of his best games of the season. With a total of 26 rebounds in two contests, where he started both, his three-point shooting on Friday caught the attention of the basketball world.

Despite the loss in Boston, Ware made an incredible six-of-seven three-point attempts, a career high and a number rarely seen from downtown. Although he was lighting it up from beyond the arc, the head coach Erik Spoelstra he would warn Vare “hunting” for in-depth looks, via video Heat Central on X, formerly Twitter.

“I’m not sure,” Spoelstra said when asked by reporters if Miami wanted the center to play more threes down the stretch. “I want to be open to everything with this team this year. And like I said, early on, I want there to be some surprises. I watch him work, and I see him knock down a ton of shots. I don’t want him chasing that three because I like his head under the rim. But when the spray is a touch, and I think it’s a good look, I want to get a good look and get a good quality. that.”

Coach Spo on Kel’el Ware shooting 3s

“I watch him work and see how he knocks down shots. I don’t want him to shoot from 3 because I like his head under the rim, but when the spray is a touch of the paint and a good look, I want to be open to it.” https://t.co/ivlh9geHkc pic.twitter.com/714MoHaVV4

— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) December 20, 2025

Heat’s Kel’el Ware answers Erik Spoelstra’s three-pointer

Seeing Ware’s outings with the Heat of late have undoubtedly been encouraging team as the franchise sees the 2024 first-round pick as a building block, though his name will certainly be floated in potential trade talks for big stars. Either way, the three-point shot is just another area that makes the 22-year-old even more impressive.

While it makes sense to caution the young center against going for three-point attempts, Spoelstra still says the team is open to anything. As he should, as Ware is shooting 45.6 percent from deep, which ranks an impressive eighth among all players in the NBA with at least 60 attempts from that range.

Ware doesn’t seem to want to always make seven three-point shots per game like he did on Friday, but will always play through the course of the competition.

“I’m just getting more comfortable there,” Ware said. “Playing through the game, playing through the flow.”

Kelle Ware responds to Coach Spo’s comments about his 3s

“I felt like I was in a rhythm so I was comfortable letting them go. I think most of my game is under the basket, so whenever I go out, I don’t feel like it was a bad time.” https://t.co/Ks2pz9ZUBPT pic.twitter.com/ESP09dMKS4O

— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) December 20, 2025

As for Ware, Spoelstra’s request was granted, although the head coach has nothing to worry about, as most of Ware’s skill set is “under the basket” anyway. With rebounding numbers at a great time, and his defensive prowess on display, recording four blocks against Boston, Ware is on the rise.

“I think most of my game is under the basket, so whenever I go out, I don’t feel like it was a bad time,” Ware said.

Ware looks to continue to impress the Heat and get back in the win column next game on Sunday against the New York Knicks.