Bradley Beal injury worst than expected

If you were anticipating the debut of the Phoenix Suns' Big Three, brace yourself for a longer wait – three weeks longer. Bradley Beal, sidelined just before the Suns triumphed over the Minnesota Timberwolves, is set for re-evaluation in three weeks, grappling with a lower back strain.

Concerns Amidst Cheers: A Wait for Signature Moments in Purple and Orange

Phoenix Suns fans are yearning for those signature moments in purple and orange, but Bradley Beal's history on a different team raises concerns. The last time Suns fans saw consistent brilliance was five years ago in the 2018-19 season. Since then, a pattern of missed games emerges:


2019-20: 7 games missed
2020-21: 11 (3 tank sits)
2021-22: 42 games (last 35 tank/contract sits, amidst contract uncertainty)
2022-23: 33 games missed (last 10 tank sits)
Despite his history, it's crucial not to paint too bright a shade on Beal's old team. He plays hard, diving for loose balls, driving into bigs for and-one opportunities, and consistently seeking contact.

Stats Showcase Beal's Impact: A Force on Both Ends

Beal's offensive prowess is evident in his career average of 5 free throw attempts per game, which would have ranked him 3rd on last year's post-deadline team. He also stands out among biggers with a career rebounding average of 4.1 per game, higher than many small forwards seen in Phoenix.

His career assists at 4.3 per game would have ranked 4th on the Suns a year ago, just behind Cam Payne. Perhaps it's time to cut him some slack and allow him the time to heal his back before deciding if the risk was worth it.

Real Deal Beal: A Closer Look at the Suns' Third Best Player

Bradley Beal, the Suns' third-best player, boasts a career scoring average of 23 points per game, topping 50+ points multiple times, recording 23 double-doubles (points/assists), and securing a pair of triple-doubles in the past injury-riddled five years. At just 30 years old, there's still potential for Beal to shine.