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Bradley Beal's debut with the new-look Phoenix Suns will have to wait. The three-time All-Star has officially been ruled out of his team's season-opener against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday due to a lingering back injury, coach Frank Vogel said before the game. Veteran sharpshooter Grayson Allen will start in his place.
Beal was officially listed as questionable on Phoenix's final injury report, with ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski subsequently nothing that he was a “game-time decision” to play in San Francisco. Fortunately, the 30-year-old is “progressing in his return process,” according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. He played in two of Phoenix's five preseason games, averaging 11.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 41.7% from the floor in just over 15 minutes per game.
Beal was acquired by the Suns in mid-June as the centerpiece of a trade with the Washington Wizards that sent Chris Paul to nation's capital, establishing a potentially devastating Big 3 alongside Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Paul was moved to the Golden State Warriors for Jordan Poole less than a week later.
Bradley Beal, unfortunately, isn't the only star between these Western Conference powers relegated to sitting out on opening night. Golden State defensive anchor Draymond Green is also sidelined on Tuesday, still ramping up toward a full recovery from a preseason ankle injury. Though facing any team led by Durant and Booker presents a major defensive challenge, the Warriors are certainly better positioned to keep the Suns in relative check offensively sans Green while Beal also watches from the bench.
The Suns and Warriors tipoff from Chase Center at 7:00 p.m. (PT).
