Suns guard Bradley Beal practiced in full again on Sunday and is on track to return to action this Tuesday vs. Golden State, barring a setback, sources tell Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic (Twitter link).
Beal’s Suns debut was delayed this fall due to back issues. He appeared in just three games for Phoenix in early November before those back problems flared up again, forcing the team to rule him out for at least three weeks.
Head coach Frank Vogel stated in mid-November and again this week that the Suns’ goal is to make sure Beal is 100% healthy before he’s cleared, so that he doesn’t have to be in and out of the lineup due to his back ailment. After the three-time All-Star began practicing in full earlier in the week, Vogel indicated that they wanted him to “stack together a few practices” to make sure his body was responding well to the increased work.
The Suns’ star trio of Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker has yet to suit up in the same game so far this season, as all three players have missed time due to injuries.
Booker was unavailable during Beal’s three-game cameo last month and there’s no guarantee Durant will be able to play on Tuesday if and when Beal returns. Durant missed Friday’s game due to a sprained left ankle and wasn’t a full participant in Sunday’s practice, per Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports (Twitter link).
Phoenix has held its own with its big three banged up during the first quarter of the season. The team has a 12-10 record and sits at No. 7 in the Western Conference standings, just 1.5 games behind the No. 3 Mavericks.
Got $100 smackers on him getting injured in 3 games. Who wants in?
He will be injured for postseason. This way, he’s not blamed for any postseason failure, and he will be seeking extension soon. Smart businessman, just not a champ.
Suns superteam injury issues sure started early. It seems highly unlikely they will start the playoffs fully healthy.