Erik Spoelstra elaborates on ‘encouraging’ Kel’el Ware starts in win against Nets

As it is The Miami Heat snapped a five-game losing streak in a 106-95 win over the Brooklyn Nets, there were plenty of contributions that led to a much-needed win. Besides that Heat star Norman Powell leads the team against the Netsit was also a remarkable exit from Kel’el Wareattracting the attention of the head coach Erik Spoelstra.

Starting Thursday night, it was the 11th time Ware has been featured in the frontcourt alongside Bam Adebayoa duo that looks to be improving after a slow start to the season. Ware was terrific against the Nets, especially on a night when Adebayo was in foul trouble and the shots weren’t falling, scoring eight points on 4-of-13 shooting from the field, even as he grabbed 17 rebounds.

Ware would score 22 points, 10 in the fourth quarter, along with 12 rebounds and four blocks, making a huge impact on both ends of the floor, and Spoelstra said how he was. “encouraged” by the excursion.

“Well, it was the attention to detail, the competitive spirit tonight. And sometimes, you know, with that group, it has to be if we play bigger,” Spoelstra said. “Sometimes it’s just getting your head under the rim and being in a position to, you know, have those returns and lobs.”

“(Wiggins) picked it up for a lob in the first half, he’s gotten a lot better at getting into open spaces, making that extra effort on the glass, and then being more detailed and consistent with his pick-and-roll effort, which is obviously a big thing in this league. But everyone was encouraged by the game he had tonight,” Spoelstra continued.

Coach Spo on Kel’el Ware tonight

“He’s gotten a lot better putting in extra effort on the glass. More detailed in the pick and roll. Everyone was encouraged by his play tonight.” pic.twitter.com/AKIGv9bElJ

— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) December 19, 2025

The Heat’s Kel’el Ware closed out the win against the Nets in impressive fashion

Doc Spoelstra disputed the Heat’s pairing of Ware and AdebayoThursday was a step in the right direction, especially from the 21-year-old center who was Miami’s first-round pick in 2024. Ware played so well that Spoelstra kept him to finish the game while keeping Adebayo on the bench with him in four fouls and the team leading by double digits.

“I wanted to bring Bam back,” Spoelstra said. “But when we got it to double digits, I thought we were going to be able to pull away. We never got it to 15, but I thought Kel’el (Ware) was playing well. And Bam thought it was good for Kel’el to have that opportunity to finish the game where there’s a little bit of context. So I think that’s very important for his growth and improvement.”

As for Ware, he would say that he thought his performance was impressive, but I didn’t want to make a bigger deal out of it, how he looks to maintain it.

“I feel like I played well. I feel like I did well to close out that win,” Ware said. “We went through this during the season for a long stretch of games. So I feel like it wasn’t that big of a deal that I did.”

Kel’el Ware on his performance and approach to Bam:

“Man, I feel like I played well, I feel like I did well to close out that win, like I said we’ve been through this for a long stretch of games so I feel like it wasn’t that big of a deal.”

Talk that talk Ware🗣 pic.twitter.com/PMDKs6o7v5

— ღამარი (@VadekFlash) December 19, 2025

Ware and Miami look to keep it going as the team is 15-12 and next faces the Boston Celtics on Friday night.