The Washington Wizards were dealt a tough blow during their final preseason game against the New York Knicks as frontman Bradley Beal exited the game with a knee injury.
Beal played just a shade over nine minutes in the first quarter before leaving the game for good. According to The Athletic's Fred Katz, the Wizards have confirmed that the All-Star has suffered a knee contusion.
Bradley Beal has a contused knee and won’t return to tonight’s game, the Wizards say.
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) October 16, 2021
There's a good chance that the Wizards are simply playing it safe with Beal as the preseason comes to a close. Knee contusions aren't exactly indicative of any major issue just yet, but anything involving the knee sets off at least some alarm bells. Head coach Wes Unseld Jr. couldn't give a definitive update on the matter after the game, but expressed optimism that it was minor.
Wes Unseld Jr. on Bradley Beal's knee contusion: "We don't know the extent. I don't believe it's anything substantial."
— Chase Hughes (@ChaseHughesNBCS) October 16, 2021
The Wizards will have five days off before the season opener against the Toronto Raptors. Hopefully Bradley Beal gets completely healthy by then.
Washington actually managed to play well against the Knicks despite their star player being out for the rest of the game. They held a double-digit lead for most of the contest and carried a 15-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
But a furious comeback from the Knicks had the game tied in the dying seconds. That's when Julius Randle iced the game with a dagger in Daniel Gafford's grill.
JULIUS RANDLE. BALL GAME. KNICKS WIN.
THIS PLACE IS GOING CRAZY. pic.twitter.com/82Ee6aN1or
— KNICKS ON MSG (@KnicksMSGN) October 16, 2021
The Wizards end the preseason winless with a 0-4 record. But with the slate wiped clean, and hopefully a healthy Bradley Beal, they'll be looking to get off to a better start as the games start to matter.
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