NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium is reporting that Phoenix Suns shooting guard Bradley Beal has started his ramp-up process in his return from a back injury.
Beal has dealt with nerve irritation from his back down to his legs.
The Suns acquired Beal from the Washington Wizards this past offseason in a blockbuster trade involving Chris Paul. Beal is making $46.7 million this season. The Florida product signed a five-year, $251 million contract with the Wizards in June 2022.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns Updates
Beal is averaging 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Suns this season while shooting 39.1% from the floor, 33.3% from 3 and 68.8% from the foul line. Phoenix is 1-2 with Beal in the lineup.
Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker haven’t played together in a regular season game. The Suns are 12-8 on the season.
“Not having our ‘Big 3’ to start the [season] is very tough,” Beal wrote in his latest diary post for Andscape. “Everybody has their own expectations of what we can be and we have ours as well. We all pride ourselves on taking care of our bodies and being available. Devin and I, we haven’t even gotten the good end of the stick.”
Beal hasn’t been able to stay healthy since playing in all 82 games during the 2018-19 season. The veteran has career averages of 22.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists with the Wizards and Suns and has made three All-Star teams and one All-NBA team.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Bradley Beal, Phoenix Suns Updates
“It’s a fine line as a fan of the game. Like 100 percent, you want to see Phoenix healthy,” Beal wrote. “You want to see those guys out there competing. And you want to see what the hype is about. But internally, we have a totally different mindset. We’re not really worried about what people’s viewpoint of us is. But we also do know what we’re capable of and what we can be when we’re all healthy as well, too.”
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
