Mat Ishbia and the Phoenix Suns announced the $2 value menu for Footprint Center’s concession stands. But the ‘2’ also reminds the fans that even though they have a solid big three unit, only two of them can take the court at once. The Suns can’t seem to catch a break with injuries. After Devin Booker returned from a five-game absence because of a left groin contusion, Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant had been holding down the fort. However, tragedy suddenly struck once again.

Bradley Beal‘s night came to an early end against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The star guard exited at halftime after suffering a left hip contusion. Beal hurt his hip after a foul in the second quarter, limping off despite hitting his free throws. He played just 12 minutes, scoring three points on 1-for-5 shooting, adding two assists and one rebound.

This injury adds to Beal’s already tough season, having missed 10 games because of previous injuries. It’s frustrating for the Suns, especially when their Big Three—Beal, Booker, and Durant—hasn’t been able to stay healthy together.

In the 11 games that the trio has actually shared the court, they’ve looked solid, posting an 8-3 record over 190 minutes. But man, it’s tough when injuries keep this team from reaching their full potential…

Notably, Beal’s departure from the game could be more about caution than concern. With the Suns having a gap before their next matchup, it gives him ample time to recover. Injuries have dictated most of his time at Phoenix, with rumors emerging if he can’t show the version of himself he was at the Wizards, he might have to waive his rare no-trade clause.

Bradley Beal’s injuries have derailed the Championship hope train for the Suns…

When Phoenix made the trade to bring Beal in from the Wizards last summer, fans were buzzing. The idea of him joining forces with Booker and KD sounded like a championship dream come true. People in the Valley were hoping this trio could finally secure the franchise’s first title.

But, as we know, things didn’t go as planned. Injuries were a constant issue, and Beal missed much of the first half of last season. The 3x All-Star once dominated offensively, averaging over 30+ points per game in back-to-back seasons with the Wizards (2019-2021). His scoring ability made him one of the league’s top threats. But last season, something changed when he joined the Suns.

Beal’s points-per-game dropped to just 18.2, marking the first time in 7 seasons that he fell under the 20-point mark. Some of that dip can be chalked up to a back injury that forced him to miss some games early in the season, but the overall drop still raised questions.

This season, Beal has slightly improved, now averaging 19.0 points per game. It’s better than last year, but it’s still not the production fans were hoping for from a player of his stature. At 31, Beal is far from over the hill, and his offensive prowess should still be elite.

Plus, defenses aren’t as focused on him with the other two of the big three around, so there’s room for Beal to thrive.

The big question is whether Beal can regain his old form or if Phoenix’s system isn’t the right fit. He once led the league in scoring and was the face of the Wizards. Phoenix fans still hope to see that version of Beal back, hoping he hits his stride before it’s too late.