The Los Angeles Clippers rolled the dice on Bradley Beal this offseason, betting that a 32-year-old guard with a questionable injury history could still deliver the shot-making and scoring punch they desperately needed. That gamble has now blown up in spectacular fashion.
Beal managed just six games in a Clippers uniform before disaster struck during a 114-103 loss to his former team, the Phoenix Suns, on Nov. 10. The cruel irony of getting hurt against the Suns probably wasn’t lost on anyone.
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What started as a promising fresh start has morphed into a nightmare, with Beal reportedly suffering a fractured hip that requires season-ending surgery, per ESPN’s Shams Charania on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
The injury doesn’t come as a complete surprise. Over the past six NBA seasons, Beal has missed 179 games and was already battling back issues this year, sitting out two contests for the Clippers and four overall.
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What stands out, though, is the severity of this particular setback. Despite constant durability concerns throughout his career, Beal had never appeared in fewer than 40 games in a season before.
Former Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) reacts after an apparent injury during overtime against the Orlando Magic at Amway Center. Washington Wizards defeated the Orlando Magic 105-101. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images
His injury troubles have typically stemmed from recurring calf, ankle, and back problems.
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Before the injury, Beal was averaging career lows with just 8.2 points and 1.7 assists after signing a two-year, $11 million deal with Los Angeles last July that included a player option. The Clippers, off to a 3-7 start, have also been without Kawhi Leonard, who remains sidelined with an ankle injury.
The early-season struggles continue to mount in Los Angeles.
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