Bradley Beal has been making headlines frequently this season, but not for the right reasons. Whether it’s being discussed as a trade option or dealing with potential friction with the Suns’ head coach, the swingman has been a constant topic. This time, it’s ahead of the match-up against the Wizards, as the franchise hadn’t confirmed Beal’s availability earlier but now the verdict is in.

Will Bradley Beal suit up tonight for the Suns vs Wizards game?

And the news is not looking good for the Phoenix fanbase. Bradley Beal was listed as doubtful on the injury report due to an ankle sprain he sustained in their previous game against the Hawks. With under six minutes remaining in the third quarter, Beal went for a rebound but twisted his left ankle in the process. He limped off to the locker room but did manage to return to the game.

Following the injury, the team was monitoring Beal and wasn’t sure whether they wanted to drop him from the roster. However, his condition didn’t seem fit enough for the franchise to take a risk. So, they downgraded Beal and ruled him out for the game. The 31-year-old will now miss his eleventh game of the season tonight.

The injuries that kept Beal off the court included a left hip contusion followed by swelling in his right knee. But that’s not all for the 3-time All-Star. He also dealt with a left calf strain and an elbow injury. So far, Beal has averaged 17.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, which hasn’t been enough as a member of the Suns’ Big 3.

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In Beal’s absence tonight, the franchise may give more minutes to Grayson Allen, Ryan Dunn, and Royce O’Neale. This would have been more difficult with Beal on the floor, as he tends to play heavy minutes, even if it means going against HC Mike Budenholzer’s preferences. Apart from Beal, another name was added to the Suns’ miseries before the game.

Phoenix sidelined Jusuf Nurkic for the matchup due to an illness. The Bosnian center had already missed the last four games, not because of his illness but because the head coach has been experimenting with different combinations. So, Nurkic was benched, and Mason Plumlee was starting instead.

Suns vs Wizards: Game Preview in regular season

The Suns may have been inconsistent this season, but facing the Wizards shouldn’t be too much of a challenge. Washington has only won 6 out of 38 games so far and sits at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. That gives the 11th-seeded Western side, with a 19-20 record, a clear advantage over the Wizards.

The competition between the two sides has been quite close, with Washington leading by just one victory overall, holding 69 wins. Last season, Phoenix was the dominant team, winning both matchups, while the season before, the Wizards secured two wins. This will be the first meeting between the teams this season, so it’s sure to be an entertaining matchup. Tune in at 7 PM ET to catch the East vs. West clash live from Capital One Arena.