Kel’el Ware joins elite company in Heat history with huge rebounding game

The Miami Heat managed to pull off a dramatic 140–138 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, thanks to an unforgettable alley-oop buzzer-beater from Andrew Wiggins with just 0.4 seconds left on the clock.

On a night without Bam Adebayo, the Heat desperately needed an unexpected hero to rise to the occasion — and Kel’el Ware answered the call. The 21-year-old etched his name into franchise history, becoming only the 11th player in Miami Heat history to record at least 20 rebounds in a single game. He also joined Adebayo in an exclusive club, tying him as the youngest player in team history to reach that mark.

Ware’s workload was heavy but highly effective. He finished with 14 points, one steal, and one block, complementing his monster rebounding performance. Seven of his boards came on the offensive end, creating multiple second-chance opportunities that kept Miami in the fight down the stretch. Having to battle against Cleveland’s frontcourt of Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, Ware held his ground and showcased poise beyond his years.

This performance is just the latest sign of Miami adapting to the NBA’s evolving landscape. The Heat have embraced a double big-man lineup, leaning on length and rebounding to balance their offense and defense. Ware’s development has been a major part of that formula — he’s averaging 10.1 points and 8.8 rebounds across 11 games, showing growth and confidence in year two. While his overall field-goal percentage has dipped slightly, his three-point accuracy has climbed from 31.5% to 34.4%, adding a new layer to his offensive versatility.

Needless to say, the Heat are performing far better than many expected following an offseason full of change. With a 7–4 record and a firm hold on the third seed in the Eastern Conference, Miami has proven its resilience even without Tyler Herro, who has yet to play this season.

If Ware can continue rebounding and defending with this same energy, the Heat might have found a key long-term piece for their rotation — and perhaps their best chance yet at reclaiming a top-four playoff seed for the first time since 2021–22.

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