Bradley Beal missed the Washington Wizards’ 107-100 loss to the New York Knicks Saturday night. The two-time All-Star was held out of the game with right lower leg soreness.
Saturday’s game was the first game Beal had missed in over two years. The Wizards guard had played and started in 194 consecutive games before Saturday.
It’s an impressive feat in today’s “Load Management” era of the NBA. It is also impressive considering the John Wall and Bradley Beal era while good, has been marred by injuries.
Beal missed numerous games early in his career due to various injuries. He only played more than 63 games once in his first four seasons in the league. In 2012-13 he was limited to 46 starts and in 2015-16 just 35 starts.
As he matured on the court his health did as well. Beal has played 77 or more games in each of the previous three seasons, including all 82 games each of the previous two seasons. And his production has increased because of it.
Beal has averaged 22.6 points or more in each season since 2016-17. His last game missed before Saturday was April 12, 2017.
With the Wizards currently 13th in the Eastern Conference standings with a 9-22 record, Washington may be better serve to be cautious with Beal’s latest ailment. He recently signed a two-year max extension with team hoping Beal will lead the charge of their current rebuild.
In what appears to be lost season in regards to a contending for the playoff with Wall likely out for the season as he recovers from his Achilles injury, there should be no rush to get Beal back on the court.
