Injuries have defined Bradley Beal’s Phoenix Suns tenure, and a left hamstring strain will sideline him once more. Now approaching almost two seasons with the franchise, Beal has already missed 50 games, including 21 this season. His latest setback occurred in the Suns’ 107-96 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday afternoon, as he did not return for the second half after recording four points.
Ahead of the Suns’ back-to-back against the Toronto Raptors, head coach Mike Budenholzer said they will re-evaluate Beal in a week following his MRI. He watched on from the bench as his team dispatched the Raptors in a 40-point victory.
Suns Guard Bradley Beal Set to Miss More Time With Another Injury
Latest Beal Injury Setback Adds to Long List
With at least a week out, Beal is set to miss a minimum of three games – excluding the game he already missed – against the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Milwaukee Bucks. If his recovery goes well, he could make a return against the Boston Celtics or Minnesota Timberwolves.
It has been a disastrous stretch of a year-and-a-half for Beal, who has just been unable to shake the injury bug. This left hamstring strain is the 12th different injury designation he has been given this season, ranging from soreness to strains and injury management. Initially, they removed Beal from the Lakers game due to hamstring soreness; however, they’ve now upgraded the diagnosis to a strain. This has all added up to 21 missed games and counting, with the guard’s long-term future in the city in doubt.
Bradley Beal (left hamstring soreness) will not return.
Gillespie starts 2nd half for Beal.
Beal’s injuries this season going into Sunday’s game. #Suns #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/Gj2RBTlC7Y
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) March 16, 2025
Fans criticized him for a comment in Tim MacMahon’s ESPN article, where he said, “I’m still playing in the NBA, I still have the best job in the world, and I still have my no-trade clause. So I’m smiling every day.” For fans of a team in danger of missing the play-in, it is understandable why comments like this have not gone down well, particularly when Beal’s reluctance to move may lead to a Kevin Durant departure. On the other hand, the no-trade clause is his right to exercise, and the Suns knew that before acquiring him.
However, a summer move may be on the cards, with the player more open to exploring his options in the offseason.
Extended Opportunity for Collin Gillespie
Beal’s injury means a big opportunity for Collin Gillespie to stake a starting claim for the remainder of the season. Gillespie burst onto the radar at the beginning of the month, helping spark a remarkable 23-point comeback against the LA Clippers. He averaged just 7.4 minutes per game in the five games following but has enjoyed much more run in the last two. Gillespie took Beal’s place for the second half of the Lakers game, ultimately playing 23 minutes. He earned his first career start ahead of Tyus Jones against the Raptors, though did not make much of an impact with three points in 16 minutes.
Photo credit: © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
