Heat Coach Spoelstra Shakes Up Lineup for Play-In Game

Rookie center Kel'el Ware gets the start as Miami looks to upset the Hornets in Charlotte.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:26pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a basketball game, with players' figures broken down into abstract shapes and forms, capturing the energy and intensity of the play-in tournament clash between the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets.Spoelstra's surprise lineup shakeup aims to give the Heat an edge against the high-powered Hornets in a crucial play-in tournament matchup.Today in Miami

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is making a surprise lineup change for the team's NBA play-in tournament game against the Charlotte Hornets. Spoelstra is inserting rookie center Kel'el Ware into the starting lineup, moving Bam Adebayo to power forward and shifting Andrew Wiggins to small forward. The move is aimed at giving the Heat more size and rebounding against the high-powered Hornets, who are lethal from the 3-point line.

Why it matters

The Heat are the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference and are underdogs against the upstart Hornets, who have been one of the league's best teams over the past three months. Spoelstra is known for making bold lineup changes in big games, and this move could give Miami a better chance of pulling off the upset and advancing to face the loser of the 76ers-Magic play-in game.

The details

Ware has started games for the Heat this season, but Spoelstra has often gone away from that lineup, citing Ware's need to improve his focus. However, with the season on the line, Spoelstra is returning to the Ware-Adebayo frontcourt, which should provide more size and rebounding against the Hornets' potent offense. The move will require Ware to be active in closing out on Charlotte's 3-point shooters, but it also allows Adebayo to be more of a roaming defender.

  • The Heat and Hornets will face off in the NBA play-in tournament on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

The players

Erik Spoelstra

The head coach of the Miami Heat, known for making bold lineup decisions in big games.

Kel'el Ware

A rookie center for the Miami Heat who has started games this season but has struggled with focus at times.

Bam Adebayo

The Heat's All-Star power forward who will slide down to center in the new lineup.

Andrew Wiggins

The Heat's starting small forward, who will move to his natural position in the new lineup.

Tyler Herro

The Heat's starting shooting guard who will be paired with Davion Mitchell in the backcourt.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Ware needs to get out to shooters.”

— Five Reasons Sports

What’s next

If the Heat win this play-in game against the Hornets, they will advance to face the loser of the 76ers-Magic play-in game on Friday.

The takeaway

Spoelstra's surprise lineup change shows he is willing to make bold moves to give his team the best chance of advancing in the play-in tournament, even if it means going away from his typical rotation. The success of the Ware-Adebayo frontcourt will be crucial in determining if the Heat can pull off the upset against the high-powered Hornets.