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Wizards: Bradley Beal’s Injuries Hurt Playoff Chances

By Jamal Williams

Jan 15, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Wizards head coach Randy Wittman coaches guard Bradley Beal (3) on the sideline in the second half of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Washington Wizards beat the Indiana Pacers 118-104. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 15, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Wizards head coach Randy Wittman coaches guard Bradley Beal (3) on the sideline in the second half of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Washington Wizards beat the Indiana Pacers 118-104. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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 A healthy Bradley Beal will help the Washington Wizards.

If there is one thing I’ve learned about sports, the best ability a player can have on the court is availability. Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal is undoubtedly crucial to the team’s success. He is half of a one-two punch with John Wall. And together they can show the rest of the league that they are one of the top back court duos for years to come.

Unfortunately, this season Beal has yet to be able to stay healthy for this statement to come to fruition.

On Monday night, Beal suffered a broken nose and was reportedly under concussion protocol, according to Chris Miller of CSNWashington.com. Inactive in a blowout loss at Toronto Tuesday, this another list of nagging injuries that have plagued Beal, who has only played 22 games this season. Beal has also suffered shoulder, leg and wrist injuries during the span of the 2015-16 campaign.

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His 18.5 points and 40 percent three-point percentage are crucial for his team to compete with an improved Eastern Conference. He provides a cushion for Wall and a way for him not to put the scoring load all on his shoulders. Although Wall is the best player on the team, the ceiling each can have while playing together is very high.

Another reason why the Wizards need Beal for the run they hope to make is because they have been consistently inconsistent. Despite losing Beal, the Wizards were seemingly outmatched by Boston in a 116-91 loss. According to NBA.com, the Wizards were out-rebounded (43-39) and outscored in the paint (42-24) and on second-chance points (12-4).

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

After going on a four-game winning streak, they have lost three of their last four games during a four-game home stand. They are slowly but surely letting home-court advantage slip away from them. And even if they secure a playoff spot, it won’t be as intimidating to other teams who come to the Verizon Center.

Beal’s ability to stretch the floor and put everyone in their natural position are key components for the Wizards to stay afloat. Wall may be a potential All-Star, but there is only so much he can do to carry the team until Beal is healthy.

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And with the trend of playoff coaches being fired still going, it may only be a matter of time before management puts the blame solely on Randy Wittman‘s shoulders for not having an impact on his team. Ultimately, it is on everyone to step their game up and hopefully pick up the slack while Beal has a speedy recovery.

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