Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal suffered a low-grade hamstring strain in Sunday night’s 130-119 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The three-time All-Star will miss the next three games.
Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. The 11-year veteran is expected to return around December 14. At Capital One Arena, Beal was seen limping off the court with 8:51 left in the opening quarter.
According to some NBA betting sites, the Wizards have the eighth lowest odds to win the championship in 2023.
Bradley Bell underwent an MRI today and was diagnosed with a right hamstring problem. The injury occurred in the first quarter of yesterday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Beal will be sidelined for the team’s next three games and will be reevaluated in a week. pic.twitter.com/KF8lwIekTK
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) December 6, 2022
After the medical staff evaluated the guard’s injuries, he was sent to the locker room for further examination. He did not return. An MRI scan on Monday revealed the strain.
In 18 starts this season, Beal is averaging 22.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.2 steals. He also shot 35.2% from three-point range and a career-high 52.2% from the floor.
Bradley suffered a hamstring strain in the first quarter of the Wizards’ 130-119 loss to the Lakers, and will miss the next three games.
Last Friday, in the Wizards’ 117-116 loss to the Charlotte Hornets, the guard scored a game-high 33 points in 40 minutes of action. He shot 12 of 24 (50%) from the field and hit two threes.
Other players listed on Washington’s injury report include Delon Wright (hamstring) and Rui Hachimura (ankle). Both Beal and Wright are out indefinitely. Hachimura is listed as questionable for Wednesday night’s game against the Chicago Bulls.
Wright is receiving an increased workload at Unseld. The Wizards coach expects Wright to participate in 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 drills. In fact, the keeper hasn’t played since October 25th.
Wes Unseld Jr. Bradley Bell’s hamstring strain is a low-grade strain. Unseld hopes Beal can return at some point during the Wizards’ West Coast trip, which begins with games on Dec. 14.
— Josh Robbins (@JoshuaBRobbins) December 6, 2022
Moreover, Hachimura is still experiencing pain. Unseld said the coaching staff isn’t rushing him back. But the Wizards need as much help as possible right now. They are currently on a three game skid. Washington is 11-13 and 10th overall in the Eastern Conference.
After playing the Bulls, the Wizards’ next games are at the Indiana Pacers (Friday, December 9) and at home against the Los Angeles Clippers (Saturday, December 10).
According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, the Bulls have a 58.8% chance of beating the Wizards on Wednesday night. With Chicago on a three-game losing streak, sportsbooks show the team as a five-point favorite at home. Washington is much worse without Bradley Beal.
