Los Angeles Clippers guard Bradley Beal has been sidelined for Monday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks due to a left hip injury and is expected to miss several more games, according to head coach Tyronn Lue. Beal was initially listed as questionable before being ruled out and is set to undergo imaging to assess the severity of the injury.
At 32, Beal is experiencing a challenging start to his first season with the Clippers, averaging just 8.2 points and 1.7 rebounds across six games, which are career lows for the seasoned player. Over his 14-year NBA career, Beal has typically averaged 21.4 points and 4.3 assists in 807 games, primarily with the Washington Wizards before short stints with the Phoenix Suns and now the Clippers.
The injury reportedly occurred during a charge he took in Thursday’s game against the Phoenix Suns, where the Clippers fell 115-102. Despite the discomfort, Beal participated in Saturday’s loss to the Suns, contributing 12 points in 20 minutes, matching his season high.
In Beal’s absence, Lue opted to start forward John Collins instead of guard Bogdan Bogdanovic. Lue noted the Clippers’ struggles with rebounding and highlighted Collins’ proven track record as a strong rebounder, emphasizing the need to enhance their size on the court.
As Beal undergoes evaluation, the Clippers face the challenge of adjusting their lineup and strategies to ensure competitive gameplay in the upcoming weeks. The hope remains that Beal can recover quickly and contribute once again to the team’s efforts this season.