The Phoenix Suns, arguably the league’s biggest disappointment, are trying to make a last-ditch effort to even reach the Play-In Tournament. It is looking like a stretch that they will be able to do so, especially with Kevin Durant out with an ankle injury. The Suns certainly did not have an easy task on Friday taking on the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics. They would need their better players to step up and keep it a possibility that they could finish 10th in the West. They still can, but it’s looking more unlikely after their loss. One of the highest-paid players in the game, Bradley Beal’s struggles in his return from injury didn’t help Phoenix on Friday.
Bradley Beal Comes Up Small When Suns Need Him Most
Bradley Beal Struggles In Return
With the regular season winding down, the Suns need to find a way to win games. They were unable to do so on Friday, falling to the Celtics by the score of 123-103. With only five contests remaining, Phoenix now owns a record of 35-42 and have lost each of their last five outings.
Returning this game was Beal, who had missed each of the previous eight games with a hamstring injury. With no Durant, Beal was certainly expected to take on some of the scoring load even if he is not yet 100%. Coming back against the Celtics isn’t an easy task. Still, the 31-year-old had one of the worst games of his 13-year career.
Playing 30 minutes in the loss, Beal did not even connect on a single field goal. He missed all seven of his shots, with three of them coming from beyond the arc. He went 1-2 from the free-throw line which gave him one single point for the game. In what was a 20-point loss, the Suns were outscored by 23 points in Beal’s time on the court.
It was a hugely disappointing performance even when accounting for his coming back from injury. The three-time All-Star hasn’t exactly been a fan favorite since joining Phoenix as he is often seen a scapegoat for the team not reaching the heights that have been expected of them.
Double Whammy For Phoenix
Not only did the Suns lose on Friday night, but the Sacramento Kings defeated the Charlotte Hornets. The win now puts the 10th-seeded Kings two games up on the Suns. Phoenix is 2.5 game being the ninth-seeded Dallas Mavericks and would own the tiebreaker over them if they somehow were able to equal Dallas’ record at the end of the regular season.
The Suns are just 1-2 against Sacramento, but they play the Kings in the regular season finale. If Phoenix wins, they would possess the tiebreaker due to a better record in the Pacific Division.
With it being unclear if Durant will be able to return before the regular season ends, it is quite evident that Beal needs to play much better for the Suns to have a chance to reach the Play-In Tournament. His next chance to do so will come Sunday. Phoenix will go on the road to take on the New York Knicks.
Photo credit: © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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