The Phoenix Suns are walking a tight rope all of this season, fighting through injuries, inconsistency, an insane amount of pressure to stay alive in the Western Conference playoff race. It’s like they’re getting closer to figuring it out, then something else comes along and takes them out of the balance. And now? Perhaps this is the biggest roadblock yet.

Bradley Beal, one of the core pieces of this Suns squad, has been fighting through injuries all year. And just when Phoenix desperately needed a stable stretch from its Big Three, head coach Mike Budenholzer dropped some news that Suns fans definitely won’t be happy about. So what’s the latest on Beal? And more importantly—can the Suns survive without him?

The bad news came after Beal was officially ruled out with a left hamstring strain, an injury he picked up during that frustrating loss to the Lakers. He went in for an MRI on Monday, and Budenholzer confirmed before tipoff that Beal will be re-evaluated in a week. Translation: the Suns are going to have to fight through at least a few must-win games without him… and if his recovery drags on, things could get even worse.

“We’ll be hopeful this next week goes well and re-evaluate him then,” Budenholzer said.

It’s a tough break, and, honestly, this isn’t anything new for Phoenix. Their full squad plus has barely been healthy at the same time all season. The timing, however, is brutal. The Suns are lurking just 1.5 games behind Dallas for the final play in spot at 31-37. The regular season is winding down. Every single game counts.

Suns fighting to stay alive without Bradley Beal

Frustration is mounting, and nobody is feeling it more than Devin Booker.

“In spots, we show we can do it. That’s what makes it even more frustrating,” Booker said after Sunday’s loss. “We have a game like last game and then we come in and miss a few shots and that affects our defense… If you’re playing with energy and effort, you can sleep well at night regardless, and I don’t think we’re doing that right now.”

With Beal and Grayson Allen (left foot strain) both out, the Suns need someone—anyone—to step up. Kevin Durant and Booker are already carrying ridiculous workloads, but now guys like Tyus Jones will have to play a bigger role. Phoenix’s depth has been shaky all year, and this is the moment where they have to show what they’re really made of.

And let’s not assume tonight’s game is a gimme, either. The Raptors might be sitting at 24-44, but they’ve been playing like a team with absolutely nothing to lose. They’ve won six of their last ten games and have made it clear they can be a serious problem if you don’t take them seriously.

Toronto is missing RJ Barrett (illness), Brandon Ingram (ankle), and Jakob Poeltl (rest), but somehow, they’re still finding ways to compete. And if the Suns go in thinking this will be easy, they’re in for a rude awakening.

Bradley Beal’s absence is just another punch to a Suns team that’s already taken way too many hits this season. The question now is simple: will they finally show the resilience they need to stay in this fight, or is this the moment that pushes them out of the playoff picture for good?

The answers start tonight.