Suns shooting guard Bradley Beal just can’t seem to catch a break.
The 6’4″ vet is set to be out at least the next two weeks as he recuperates from a sprained right ankle, Phoenix announced (Twitter link). He will then be reassessed, meaning the soonest he could play would happen once the calendar year flips over to January.
Shams Charania of The Athletic previously reported that Beal would be out for “a few” weeks, while Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic suggested a two-to-three week recovery timeline.
As Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports writes (via Twitter), the 30-year-old’s absence now, at best, will leave just 50 more games for the Suns’ maximum-salaried star triumvirate of Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant to jell ahead of the postseason.
Beal is a three-time All-Star and a 2021 All-NBA Third Teamer, but he’s been plagued by health issues for years at this point. He has appeared in just six contests for the Suns thus far this year, averaging 14.7 points per game on .449/.429/.708 shooting splits, along with 3.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per night.
The Florida alum hasn’t appeared in more than 60 games in a season since 2018/19.
Phoenix, expected to be a major postseason contender, may have a little trouble even getting there. At 14-12, the Suns are currently the No. 10 seed in a crowded Western Conference, just two wins north of the No. 11-seeded Warriors. Missing Beal could make for some additional tough sledding in the weeks to come.
Great trade!
Especially since the playoffs are starting in 2 weeks.
I’m sure he’ll be 100% healthy and ready to play when the playoffs begin!
Like I tell the losers in my fantasy league, playoffs start week 1. The Suns are a new team that needs all the time they can get to gel, especially in a crowded western conference.
Wow who saw this coming?!
He will be hurt in the playoffs even if he attempts to play, the team will have that excuse.
Why are Booker and Durant not enough? Beal isn’t going to magically transform the Suns into a super team. They didn’t have the pieces before Beal signed.