Miami Heat’s 7’2 center Kel’el Ware hasn’t had a double double game since January 6 when they lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves. That is a total of 10 games now not counting the four games he missed last week.
Fans thought he could have had his moment against the Chicago Bulls which did not play Jalen Smith and Nikola Vucevic. However, he did not come close to it at all. He had no chance getting to 10 points and 10 rebounds as he played just 3 minutes and 11 seconds.
Erik Spoelstra was blasted for this decision as some thought it is criminal to bench their promising player in a close game. Spo has an explanation.
He said it it was a decision based on the situation he read.
“Look I know every press conference ends up being about him and I really dont want it to be that,” the coach said post-game.
“This is not a knock on Kel’el. This game was so fast. They were playing SFs at Center. The advantage was the speed.”
“We have to find a way to make it work. I have two talented young bigs, and I have to find a way to make some of the lineups with Kel’el a positive. That’s not on him — some of the lineups we’ve gone to just haven’t been successful. He’s been diligent working behind the scenes.”
Heat lost the game, 125-118.
Kel’el Ware reacts to another benching
Spoelstra has long list of instances he had to explain his moves concerning Ware this season. This adds to that.
The sophomore center took the high road many times whenever Spoelstra criticizes his game, like that one time the coach still had to say something about his 3-point shooting despite it being efficient.
He is moving on despite the strong reaction to his limited minutes from other people.
Kel’el Ware on Erik Spoelstra’s decision to play him only three minutes tonight: “I can’t control it. I mean, it is what it is. I mean, whatever he feels like that he perceives or feels like playing, Lke I said, it is what it is.” https://t.co/vZwd7myZtv
— Anthony Chiang (@Anthony_Chiang) February 1, 2026
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