TITLE: Ware’s Historic Night Fuels Heat Surge; Herro Shines, Injury Updates on Wiggins, Powell, Fontecchio
SLUG: ware-makes-history-herro-leads-heat-wiggins-powell-fontecchio-injury-updates
CONTENT:
Kelel Ware delivered another standout performance off the bench Thursday against Brooklyn, stepping in after starting center Bam Adebayo ran into foul trouble. The 21-year-old reserve produced 16 points, 11 rebounds, a career-high seven blocks and five steals in 32 minutes, helping Miami top the Nets for the second time in three days.
According to the team, Ware became the first player in franchise history to register at least 10 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks and five steals in one game—and the first player in NBA history to reach that stat line as a substitute. The last NBA player with at least seven blocks and five steals in a single contest was Josh Smith in 2007.
“It shows that I’m impacting the game,” Ware said postgame. “I’m going out there and affecting it—helping my team, proving I can play and be a plus.” Head coach Erik Spoelstra added, “I’m encouraged by his last handful of games. He’s doing a lot of things that are impacting the game.”
Herro’s Near Triple-Double Ends Hornets’ Streak
Miami extended its winning streak to four by defeating Charlotte on Friday, halting the Hornets’ six-game run. Tyler Herro posted his best outing of the season with 33 points, nine rebounds and nine assists without committing a turnover. The 26-year-old guard finished plus-18 in 37 minutes.
“Tyler, you can see he’s gaining more rhythm each game,” Spoelstra said. “Tonight, the three-ball started to go for him. It opens up so much for his game. The nine rebounds were needed because they’re a handful on the glass.”
Injury Report
• Starting forward Andrew Wiggins was unavailable Friday due to bilateral patellar tendinitis. “He’s dealt with it the last handful of days, and it didn’t loosen up enough today to be available,” Spoelstra noted, expressing hope for a short absence.
• Norman Powell (right groin strain) missed his fourth straight game, while Simone Fontecchio (left groin strain) sat out a second consecutive contest. Spoelstra said the organization is balancing players’ desire to return quickly with responsible rehabilitation timelines.
Source: Hoops Rumors
