Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was very complimentary of center Kel’el Ware’s play against the Washington Wizards on February 8.

The connection between Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware and coach Erik Spoelstra could finally be reaching a turning point.

In the Heat’s 132-101 win against the Washington Wizards on February 8, Ware played arguably his best game in 2026. In 30 minutes, he finished with 19 points, 14 rebounds and 1 assist. Particularly, the Heat found success when Ware and center Bam Adebayo were on the court at the same time.

“I liked it today. We want to see where we can maximize rotations as much as possible,” Spoelstra said after the game. “Particularly with that 2nd unit. Bam has been a great anchor for us in whatever lineup he’s been in, especially the last 6 weeks or so. It’ll depend on how much it can be productive. Kas [Kasparas Jakucionis] gave us a good boost also with that unit. Defensively, that unit was very stable and active. Offensively, we managed the spacing and pounded them on the glass.”

Throughout the season, this lineup has struggled, being outscored by 7.5 points per 100 possessions.

However, the combination of Ware and Adebayo found so much success against the Wizards that the number plummeted to 1.8 points per 100 possessions. The two combined for a plus/minus of +63.

Ware agreed that being on the floor at the same time as Adebayo provided a boost to his game.

“It felt like I had a little more help out there, help closer to my size,” Ware said. “I feel like it’s better when he’s able to roam and help if my man does get behind me… It’s better for him, as you saw tonight, they put the smaller defender on him and have the bigger defender on me.”

Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware Share a Hilarious Moment

Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware might have a new rivalry after a hilarious moment.

In the second quarter, both Adebayo and Ware attempted to come down with an offensive rebound, but Adebayo won the battle and put down a vicious slam dunk on Ware, effectively “posterizing” him.

After the game, Adebayo didn’t hold back on the second-year center, relentlessly trolling him to the media.

“If y’all look around the next couple of days on my social media and my profile pictures are somebody getting dunked on, y’all know who it is,” Adebayo said. “That was like one of those prime Blake Griffin dunks on Pau Gasol.”

The Miami Heat gets a Boost From Another Young Player

Kel’el Ware wasn’t the only young player to shine for the Miami Heat against the Washington Wizards.

Rookie guard Kasparas Jakucionis had the best statistical game of his young career. Erik Spoelstra elected to play him over guard Dru Smith in the rotation, and the results paid off.

In 26 minutes, Jakucionis finished with 22 points, 6 assists and a plus/minus of +27. He also went 6/6 from three point range. Spoelstra was very complimentary of his rookie after the game.

“Kas [Kasparas Jakucionis] gives us something different than the other two,” Spoelstra said. “He really competes. He was getting into little things; Dust-ups. It’s really just how hard he plays. Offensively, he has a big upside; he can really shoot the ball, but also, as a playmaker, can make plays.”

Tobias Linkin Tobias Linkin covers the NBA and the Miami Heat for Heavy.com. He has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports. More about Tobias Linkin