Overview
- Second-year center Kel’el Ware was ruled out against Washington with a right shoulder strain after being listed earlier as questionable on the NBA injury report.
- Spoelstra said the injury occurred on a rebound in Sunday’s win over Detroit and that Ware will receive treatment while the team determines a return timeline.
- With Ware unavailable, Miami is expected to lean on Bam Adebayo and tap frontcourt depth, with Myron Gardner and Jaime Jaquez Jr. candidates for added bench minutes.
- Miami also sat Tyler Herro due to left quadriceps soreness as the Heat entered the night on a five-game winning streak at 36-29 and vying for Eastern Conference positioning.
- Ware’s breakout season features 11.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per game with near-40% three-point shooting, plus a rare 10-10-5-5 performance that was a first in Heat history and the first off the NBA bench.