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Bradley Beal’s Injuries Costing The Washington Wizards

By Jamal Williams

Mar 5, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) yells after suffering an apparent back injury against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Verizon Center. The Indiana Pacers won 100 - 99. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) yells after suffering an apparent back injury against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Verizon Center. The Indiana Pacers won 100 - 99. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Bradley Beal goes down at the worst time for the Washington  Wizards to make a playoff spot.

The Washington Wizards dropped back-to-back games this weekend against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday and a 100-99 lost to the Indiana Pacers Saturdaynight. The team was in striking distance of passing the Chicago Bulls for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, they managed to get blown out and lose a close game.

They have now lost the tiebreaker with the Pacers if they happen to have the same record chasing a spot in the playoffs.

It seems when this team tries to take one step forward, it takes two steps back. Not only has the team dropped two games below .500, they have also managed to lose their second-best player again during the third quarter last night’s game.

Bradley Beal has a lot of promise for him as a young player in this league. Beal’s jumper is lethal. Not to mention, he and John Wall are considered one of the best young backcourts in the league. However, his health has been in question more so this season than any other year in his short career.

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So far this season, Beal has been sidelined with injuries to his wrist, a broken nose and Saturday night he suffered a sprained pelvis. Beal was clearly in pain and walked off the court. As for the timetable of his return Beal, “declined to speak to the media after the game, and the team did not have an update on his status,” according to Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post.

Beal had seem he had taken a turn for the better when he was inserted into the starting lineup for the first time since the All Star break. According to NBA.com, Beal has only played 41 games this season and started in 21. Not a winning recipe for a team who is relying on his contributions for success.

When Beal is on the court he is averaging a career-high in points per game this season (17.8). So his production is missed when he is not present. But being 22 years old in only his fourth year in the league is not a good sign for a player who has had an injury-filled season.

The Wizards’ next game is against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. It would’ve been a perfect time to see two of the league’s best backcourt duos square off. But with Beal’s injury looming in the air, it would seem that pivotal matchup will have to wait until he is better.

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Hopefully this will be the last time Beal will have to be sidelined from helping this team make great strides into the playoffs this season.

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