The Phoenix Suns are scheduled to play against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. They are coming off an ugly 132-102 loss against the defending champions, the Boston Celtics. Against the Wolves, Pheonix is determined to get back on the winning side to give the team a shot at participating in the Play-In Tournament.
Before their game against the Celtics, the Suns had an impressive four-game win streak. They had a balanced effort, defeating two below-average teams, the Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors. After that, they used their winning momentum to capture two more wins against the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks.
They had their four-game stretch of wins without one of their best players, Bradley Beal. Ahead of their bout against Minnesota, Phoenix gave an update on the team’s third star.
NBA News: Phoenix Suns’ Bradley Beal remains out
The team declared on Friday that Beal was listed as out. The three-time All-Star has been out of five games in a row due to a left hamstring strain. It is evident from the team’s injury report that the Suns’ All-Star guard will miss his sixth consecutive game.
Bradley Beal (left hamstring strain), Jalen Bridges (two-way) and TyTy Washington (two-way) remain out for tomorrow’s game against the Timberwolves
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) March 27, 2025
Beal has appeared in 48 games, averaging 17.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists. Similar to his campaign last season, the 6-foot-4 guard has dealt with various injuries, which have kept him from participating in most of the team’s games.
The last 10 games he played before he suffered an injury wasn’t impressive. Beal averaged 17.1 points, three rebounds and 4.1 assists. His shooting efficiency during that stretch was commendable. The former Washington Wizards star shot 53.6% from the field and 38.6% shooting from deep.
Beal has produced well for the Suns but it hasn’t helped their case this season.
Beal’s potential return to the Phoenix Suns lineup could disrupt the winning group
Without Beal, the Phoenix Suns have found a way to make things work and win basketball games. However, that could change once Beal returns, according to NBA Insider Duane Rankin. On Wednesday, the reporter talked about how the star guard could affect the current group that has been winning when he returns.
“When he does come back, Budenholzer is a short rotational guy. He doesn’t like to go beyond nine or so guys. He’s going at 10 right now,” Rankin said.
“When Bradley Beal comes back, you figure he’s gonna play, that would be 11 or you’re going to remove someone from this rotation that is winning.”
"It's Kevin and Devin show on offense."@DuaneRankin with the latest on Bradley Beal and the @Suns. pic.twitter.com/D5ZPwx0VH5
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 27, 2025
Without Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker have worked out well together to lead the team. Their work as a dynamic duo has been the main ingredient to their success as of late.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
