Following a poor shooting performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Washington Wizards superstar Bradley Beal reveals he almost didn't play after finding out his grandmother had passed away.
It was a rough night for Beal who shot 4-of-19 from the field, but Wizards fans had initially suspected that it was just another off night for their superstar. However, after the game, Beal revealed that he had gotten news that not long after the Wizards landed in Cleveland on Tuesday, his beloved maternal grandmother had passed away.
This left Beal in shock and disbelief. The 28-year old Wizards guard had to immediately begin his grieving process and was left to wonder if he would participate in Thursday's game against the Cavs.
Without telling his teammates about the news, he eventually mustered up the courage to carry on and ultimately played. Beal didn't want the news to be a distraction for the Wizards which is why is initially strayed away from disclosing the news.
Via NBC Sports:
“I've never lost anybody close to me. I don't know what to do, I don't know how to feel, I don't know who to go to,”
Moreover, Beal notes that as much as he wanted to hide it, his teammates could sense something was wrong—his grandmother meant the world to him, and he still remains in disbelief.
“Eventually, guys were seeing it on my face. I was wearing it all night. I couldn't hide it,” Beal said. “Because when I played basketball, she watched me. She watches me. She came to my games, she was physically there. Now that can't happen anymore. That's tough.”
Even if they didn't know, Wizards teammates Kyle Kuzma and Montrezl Harrell made sure to have his back against the Cavs. Kuzma delivered on back-to-back triples to win the game for the Wizards. Beal reveals that he felt the presence of his grandmother as he dished out the game-winning assist to Kuzma in the corner.
“When I passed the ball to Kuz in the corner, I knew she was in the play. I just said ‘touch this play, just let me know you're here, let me know you're watching.' I just knew that she was,” Beal said.
Truly an epic ending to an emotional night for Beal. However, Wizards fans will have to wait and see if he understandably chooses to sit out the next few games.
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