Bradley Beal Could Make His Suns Debut In Chicago

Suns star guard Bradley Beal (back) is seemingly approaching game action as he’s now listed as ‘questionable’ ahead of Wednesday night’s contest against the Bulls, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

The three-time all-star and former Washington Wizard had his fair share of injuries these past couple years most notably playing just 90 games since the start of the 2021 campaign and will be looking to not only return to action but offer a reliable shooter around both Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. A duo that sees more doubles than an In-N-Out Burger.

We’d have to imagine Suns’ first-year head coach, Frank Vogel, is likely to apply a minutes restriction on the six-foot-four shooting guard to work him back into the fold, however, his minutes will surely provide Kevin Durant, who just turned 35 in late September, with some much-needed assistance. The trio is (finally) molding itself together.

Last year, Beal averaged 23.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game shooting an impressive 36.5% from deep and 50.6% from the field. 

Suns‘ Bradley Beal (back) could make his debut vs. Bulls on Wednesday. He has been upgraded to questionable.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 7, 2023

Other than losing Devin Booker to a strained calf late last week, things are starting to bounce forward for the Suns as they come off a lights-out performance beating the Cade Cunningham-led Detroit Pistons 120-106 on Sunday. A master class on the offensive end out of Kevin Durant with an efficient 41-point night going a perfect 12-of-12 from the free-throw line.

But Phoenix has to know, despite their improved bench that gave them 38 points on Sunday, more reinforcements are necessary to help a 3-4 Suns team. Bradley Beal has the talent and know-how of playmaking — essentially making the life of a teammate that much easier. And let’s be honest: No 35-year-old should be burdened with the responsibility of carrying an offense on a nightly basis. It also wasn’t helping that the Suns’ big trade this off-season to land Beal in the first place was to send their true point guard packing — which leaves the scorers on this year’s team a new challenge of handling the ball. 

Losing an aging Chris Paul isn’t so bad when you add a perennial 20-point-a-game scorer who excels in scoring off the ball the way Beal does. And of course, averaging almost six assists per contest leads a Suns organization to the belief missing a true floor general can work if everyone can dribble and shoot when the ball comes their way.

Now we have nothing to officially lock Beal as a participant in tonight’s contest, but if he’s a go the 3-5 Chicago Bulls might be in for a rough night.