A tough homecoming
Bradley Beal’s return to Phoenix has not been smooth. Now with the Los Angeles Clippers, he was booed during introductions and every touch of the ball. Beal struggled to find rhythm, shooting just 2 of 14 from the field in a 115–102 loss to the Suns. With Kawhi Leonard and James Harden out, Beal has had a bigger role, but he is still on a minutes restriction after offseason knee surgery.
Frustration with coaching roles
After the game, Beal pointed to how he was used in Phoenix as the main issue.
“If you let me be that guy, I will be that guy,” Beal said The Athletics. “But when you have two coaches who want you to set screens and play in the dunker, you’re not Brad Beal. You’re someone else.”
Beal averaged 17.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game during his two seasons with the Suns. He shot efficiently, with a true shooting percentage of 60.3, but his impact did not match Phoenix’s expectations.
The failed Big Three experiment
The Suns traded Chris Paul, four first-round pick swaps and six second-round picks to get Beal. The goal was to build a championship trio with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Injuries and bad chemistry made that impossible. Both coaches – Frank Vogel and Mike Budenholzer – struggled to find a consistent system. Durant is now in Houston, and Phoenix is restructuring Booker after giving up significant assets.
Clippers prioritize patience
Beal, a three-time All-Star, hasn’t played more than 53 games in a season since 2021. Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said the team is bringing him back slowly.
“[Beal] is a starter for us,” Lue said. “He had knee surgery in May, so we’re making sure he’s comfortable. We cannot rush the process.”
The Clippers believe Beal can eventually fill the scoring hole left by Norman Powell. For now, their focus is on getting him fully healthy and regaining the confidence that once made him one of the league’s top scorers.
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