Bradley Beal is back after missing 7 of 8 games with lower leg soreness. The Wizards were an impressive 4-3 in those seven games without Beal, beating good teams such as the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets in that stretch.
However, the Wizards have now lost back-to-back games with Beal back in the lineup. Following a 115-106 loss to the Chicago Bulls, Beal expressed he was tired of losing.
āI donāt like losing. Iām sorry. Especially winnable gamesā¦.I donāt like losing. Itās going to keep building up for me. Until we start winning and changing our culture.”
Beal was then asked how do the Wizards change the culture, he replied by winning games.
āWinning games. Youāve got to have a winning attitude. Winning habits. We donāt have them.ā
Beal is fifth in the NBA in scoring with 27.6 points per game. He also averaging 6.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds. However, he is struggling with his three-point shot shooting 30.9% from three.
Beal was a hot name for trade rumors this summer. But he put those chimes to rest when he signed a two-year extension that keeps him under contract with the Wizards through the 2022-2023 season.
The Wizards are in a clear rebuild with six-time All-Star John Wall expected to miss all of this season while recovering from a torn Achilles.
Washington has flipped its roster to feature young unproven talent. The Wizards have still managed to be one of the best offenses in the NBA.
Despite being 13-27 on the season, Washington is fifth in the league in scoring at 114.6 points per game. Their ninth in offensive efficiency and ninth in three point shooting.
However, the defense is the total opposite. The Wizards have the worst defensive rating in the NBA allowing 115.4 points per 100 possessions. They are last, allowing 119.8 points per game.
Washington is not expected to compete for the postseason this season. Injuries across the board that have included top rotation guys such as Thomas Bryant, Davis Bertans and rookie Rui Hachimura as well as Bradley Beal, have added to the reason the Wizards are 14 games below .500.