‘Freak of nature’ Kel’el Ware powerful, polished as Heat push past Kings 102-86 in summer league

Sunday was an affirmation for the Miami Heat at the summer-league California Classic at Chase Center in San Francisco.

Just as previous Heat first-round picks Nikola Jovic (2022) and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (2023) had breakout moments in their initial summer-league games, Kel’el Ware experienced those moments in a 102-86 victory over a similar team of rookies and young free agents from the Sacramento Kings.

From alley-oop finishes to an intriguing variety of post moves, the 7-footer taken with the No. 15 pick out of Indiana closed with 26 points and 11 rebounds in a polished and powerful performance.

Ware’s effort helped the Heat bounce back from their 105-66 loss to the Golden State Warriors’ summer team in Saturday’s summer-league opener.

“This game I really wanted to show my offense,” Ware said. “I feel the more I get comfortable, it’s going to be way more comfortable than it was today.

“Today I was being more aggressive in the paint.”

Heat assistant Dan Bisaccio, who is coaching the Heat summer roster, said it was enjoyable watching Ware go into his offensive bag.

“He did a phenomenal job creating action, rolling to the rim, sealing,” Bisaccio said. “He did a great job with his touch around the rim. And then again, rebounding.”

Then there was Isaiah Stevens, the undrafted point guard out of Colorado State who was on the passing end of several of Ware’s finishes.

“Man, he makes my job easy, makes me look good. It’s like I know what I’m doing half the time,” Stevens said with a smile. “Just a freak of nature athletically. I never played with a big man like him.”

Ware said once he pushed past his first-game jitters, it became a whole new game.

“Today, I definitely started finding that groove more as the game was going on,” he said. “I feel like the more I get used to the environment, I feel like it’s just going to get better and better.”

Ware said it was a concerted effort to work in the paint.

“Right now, my shot’s feeling a little short, so I wanted to get to the basket more,” he said, “and be more of a target with my presence.”

Balancing the scoring from the perimeter for the Heat was returning forward Cole Swider, who closed with 21 points in a performance that featured 5-of-10 3-point shooting.

“On the surface, you look at it, 5 of 10 from three, 21 points, we love all that stuff,” Bisaccio said, “but can you do a lot of the other things? He got a couple of deflections today. Defensively he was pretty solid. And that’s something we always want for him to continue to do.

“And then, as we’ve been mentioning, can you build on that shooting, can you be more of a playmaker? And he was feeding some guys. He had some nice sprays.”

Pelle Larsson, the guard out of Arizona drafted in the second round at No. 44, filled the box score with nine points, six assists and five rebounds.

Sunday’s starting lineup beyond Swider, Ware and Larsson was rounded out by two-way player Keshad Johnson, the undrafted forward out of Arizona, and Stevens, who was signed Saturday to an Exhibit 10 tryout contract.

Stevens started in place of Saturday starter Alondes Williams, the returning guard, who then played as the Heat first reserve Sunday.

Stevens opened 4 of 4 from the field and steadied the Heat with his playmaking, finishing with 10 points and seven asissts.

Johnson added 13 points, with Williams with nine points, five assists and four rebounds.

The Kings are taking a split-squad approach to summer league, also with an entry in the portion of the California Classic being played in Sacramento.

The Heat led 27-20 after the opening period, 56-44 at halftime and 76-66 going into the fourth quarter.

Unlike regulation NBA games, summer-league games are played with 10-minute quarters instead of 12-minute periods.

Heat summer-league schedule

(All times Eastern)

California Classic

(San Francisco, Chase Center)

Wednesday, 7 p.m. vs. Lakers, ESPN2

NBA Summer League

(Las Vegas, UNLV)

Saturday, 6:30 p.m. vs. Celtics  NBA TV

July 15, 6 p.m. vs. Thunder, ESPNU

July 17, 3 p.m. vs. Mavericks, ESPN2

July 19, 9 p.m. vs. Raptors, ESPN+

(Plus at least one additional game in Las Vegas, based on results from previous four.)