Bradley Beal set to make Phoenix Suns regular season debut against Chicago Bulls
CHICAGO – Bradley Beal will make his Phoenix Suns regular season debut in Wednesday’s game against Chicago to end a three-game road trip.
Beal has yet to play in a regular season game with his new team due to low back issues as he only played in two preseason games.
The three-time All-Star had a pregame workout Saturday morning before Phoenix (3-4) lost at Philadelphia that appeared to be a turning point in his return.
Beal was a full participant in Tuesday's afternoon practice at the United Center.
The bottom video was from Tuesday's practice.
The upper video is pregame today.
Bradley Beal is ready to go and make his Phoenix Suns debut tonight. #Suns #Bulls https://t.co/3Kls8Ujvob pic.twitter.com/Trc7GdkBaL— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 9, 2023
He got up extended shots after practice and left the court area of the arena with an ice pack on his back and shooting elbow.
The Suns acquired Beal in offseason trade that sent Chris Paul to Washington. The Wizards later traded Paul to Golden State and got Jordan Poole in return.
Playing 11 seasons in Washington, Beal, 30, played in just 50 games last season and 40 games in the 2021-22 season.
Beal last played more than 60 games in a season in 2018-19 when he saw action in all 82 regular season games.
Frank Vogel wouldn't say Bradley Beal's minute restriction other than to say it's a "range."
Devin Booker played 35 minutes in his return from left ankle sprain and it was over the range.
"We're going to be smart with his rotations and not let him have too long of runs." #Suns https://t.co/2wCkfTBoMt pic.twitter.com/WSBJrOwBe5— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 8, 2023
The Suns are without Devin Booker, who will miss his third straight game Wednesday with a right calf strain suffered in Thursday’s loss to San Antonio.
He went into the Oct. 24 season opener at Golden State with a sore left toe he jammed in practice a week before, twisted his left ankle late in the opener win, sat the next three games with that injury and returned Thursday against the Spurs at Footprint Center.
A game-time decision, Booker posted 31 points and 13 assists in the 132-121 loss Thursday in 35 minutes, which was over the minute restriction the Suns had planned for him.
Booker sat Saturday's game with what the Suns ruled as left ankle soreness, but received an MRI later that night that revealed a calf strain.
Suns coach Frank Vogel explained before Sunday's win at Detroit that Booker was experiencing left ankle soreness and right calf soreness going into the Philadelphia game.
Booker was wearing a black sleeve on his leg Tuesday at practice as he didn't do anything in practice other than light shooting, Vogel said.
Damion Lee remains out with a knee injury suffered during an on-court workout before training camp.
He had surgery Oct. 11 to repair his right meniscus.
The Suns return will face the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday in their first game in the NBA In-Season Tournament.
They'll debut their new 'El Valle' Nike NBA City Edition jerseys and new court look for this game.
Have opinions about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Bradley Beal (back) will make Phoenix Suns debut at Chicago Bulls
