Erik Spoelstra Calls Out Young Center Kel'el Ware For His Recent Performances

The Miami Heat have been up-and-down for much of the 2025–26 season thus far, but with a record of 21–20, they've put themselves in a good spot to once again be a playoff team in the Eastern Conference. However, this is a team that's now dropped four of its last six games, with the pressure seemingly mounting on it to turn things around following its latest defeat.

After their latest loss to the Boston Celtics, head coach Erik Spoelstra didn't hold back when asked about some players, specifically calling out young center Kel'el Ware. Despite some positive performances, the second-year big man hasn't been himself as of late, and now, Spoelstra has put him on notice with his latest rant.

"With Kel'el, I know that's a lightning rod topic. He needs to get back where he was 7/8 weeks ago, where I felt he was stacking good days. He's stacking days in the wrong direction now."

This season, Ware has averaged a very solid 12 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes per game, but as of late, he has struggled, posting a negative differential in his last five games as he has gone a combined -36. 

At just 21 years of age, Ware has an immense future with incredible upside, and while Spoelstra has made it clear that he needs to turn things around moving forward, if he can get back on the right track, this could be a long-term piece for this Heat team.