The Miami Heat and Boston Celtics engaged in a solid battle during the 2025 NBA Summer League.
The two Eastern Conference rivals left it all on the court as the final score stood at 100-96 in favor of the Miami Heat.
Despite the marginal victory, three separate Heat players ended the game in double-digits, including Kel’el Ware.
With that said, the Heat’s lead coach, Eric Glass, for the NBA Summer League, shared his thoughts on Ware’s performance.
Photo by Elsa/Getty ImagesEric Glass praises Kel’el Ware’s performance vs the Boston Celtics
Although the Summer League is a pre-season tournament, a clash between rivals like the Boston Celtics and the Heat is bound to entertain fans.
Moreover, a few players always ensure that their performance stands out from the rest of the players on the hardwood. This time around, it was Ware for the Heat.
“I thought he was even better than last night. That was his best game of Summer League by far. He sustained throughout the whole game,” coach Eric Glass told the media.
While Ware had a sensational game, there was a moment in the final quarter when the 21-year-old was out of gas. But he bounced back from it.
“He had a stretch right in the middle of the fourth quarter where he was gassing out, and he just gutted it out with the rest of those guys.”
Ware finished the night with 21 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 assists in a team-high 33 minutes of playing time as he led the Heat to a four-point win over the C’s.
Kel’el Ware is expected to make a major leap
During his rookie season, Ware averaged 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game for the Heat in 64 appearances.
He did so while playing just 22.2 minutes per game throughout his first campaign in the league. Now, in the Summer League, Ware already has multiple 20-plus-point performances for the franchise.
On top of that, Ware has drastically improved as a rebounder. Sure, it’s only the Summer League, but the 21-year-old is showing great signs of improvement.
As a result, it’s no surprise that head coach Erik Spoelstra has shown immense confidence in the 15th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Additionally, the Heat refusing to include Ware in any trade talks, including Kevin Durant, further solidifies this point.