Another Miami Heat big man made a major statement against the Washington Wizards on Saturday as Kel’el Ware entered rare air by eclipsing 20 points, 15 rebounds and seven blocks while draining a trio of three-pointers.
Ware finished with 24 points, 19 rebounds and seven blocks in 36 minutes off the bench in a 152-136 home win less than one month after Bam Adebayo scored 83 points, the second-most in a game in NBA history, in a 150-129 home win over Washington.
Ware previously had a career-high of seven blocks in a game on March 10 against the Brooklyn Nets alongside 16 points and 11 boards. Now he arguably just had the best game of his two-year career.
Ware got much-deserved praise after the game from head coach Erik Spoelstra and Adebayo.
Needless to say, the Wizards’ games against the Heat this year have gone disastrously.
First, Miami beat Washington 132-101 on Feb. 8 behind 21 made three-pointers. Then the Adebayo game happened a month later before Ware crushed the Wizards on Saturday. Sixth Man of the Year candidate Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 32 points himself to supplement the effort as well.
The Wizards have allowed 305 points over their last two games after allowing a season-high 153 points against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday.
Unfortunately for Washington, the Heat will face the Wizards once more this regular season on April 10.