In his running diary with Andscape, Beal says, “There’s no better feeling than playing at Christmas.”When Bradley Beal went down four minutes into the game against the New York Knicks on December 15, things looked bad.
He writhed in pain on the pitch and was immediately ruled out for the rest of the match. The Phoenix Suns would lose that game and have since lost two of their last three games.Luckily, the extent of the injury wasn’t as serious as it seemed, but it would still cost the three-time All-Star some time. Radiographs were negative and no structural damage had occurred. But unfortunately time would be wasted, aiming for a reassessment in early January. Phoenix has certainly struggled without Beal, and while he has only played six games this season, his offensive presence has been missed. The team is in a downward spiral as they try to create an identity.Beal told Andscape’s Marc J. Spears how it’s been since the injury occurred. Beal worked with Spears this season on a journal entry that gives us insight into the transition from the Washington Wizards to the Phoenix Suns. “When I first got injured, I honestly thought I broke my ankle,” Beal said in the article. “I thought I broke my foot. Honestly, it was the worst sprain or sprain I’ve ever had. And it’s strange watching the replay. I can see step by step how this happened.“Looking back, it wasn’t as crazy as it seemed. It really hurt like crazy. He looked really ugly. Slightly swollen. But I’m really in good shape at the moment. Much better than I thought, that’s for sure.Good news to hear.We saw him interact and evolve on the sidelines before the match against his former team. Beal is making good progress and we’ve seen him make shots around the Suns practice facility. It wasn’t as bad as we initially thought.The Suns take on the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Eve, a prime-time event on one of the most important dates on the NBA calendar. Beal is very aware of this.“There’s no better feeling than playing on Christmas, man,” Beal said. “You dreamed of it when you were a child. Open your presents and watch games this Christmas. It was very cool. So now I have the chance to play again. It doesn’t look like it, man. I always have fun.”“In the back of my mind I pray I’m ready for Christmas because my boys love watching me play.”It would be a Christmas miracle. On Christmas Day it would have been ten days since the ankle injury. Given the soft hands the Suns have used on their stars this year when it comes to injuries, it’s doubtful they would suddenly change course and philosophy by bringing him back. “I know we have a short time frame, but I don’t think it will be the case before then,” he added. As much as he wants to play on Christmas, despite the team’s struggles, it’s best for the long-term health of Beal and the team if he doesn’t play.Get well soon, Brad. And Merry Christmas.
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