A Rocky Return to the Desert
Bradley Beal’s much-anticipated return to Phoenix on Thursday night was anything but a warm welcome. The former Suns guard, now with the Los Angeles Clippers, was met with a chorus of boos every time he touched the ball, as Suns fans vented their lingering frustrations over his tumultuous stint in the Valley.
Beal, who was once heralded as the missing piece for a Suns championship run, struggled mightily in his first game back at the Mortgage Matchup Center. He finished with just
five points on 2-for-14 shooting and added only one assist in 20 minutes of play, clearly rattled by the hostile crowd and still hampered by a right knee injury that has him on a strict minutes restriction.
Why Suns Fans Are Still Upset
The reaction from the Phoenix faithful was intense and unrelenting. Many fans blame Beal for the failure of the much-hyped “Big 3” experiment alongside Devin Booker and Kevin Durant. Injuries and a perceived lack of fit with the Suns’ culture led to a disappointing run, with the trio never winning a playoff game together.
Beal’s departure this past summer was clouded by controversy. After being waived by the Suns, he quickly signed with the Clippers, hoping for a fresh start and a shot at an NBA title. But for Suns fans, the wounds are still fresh. Even a welcome-back message on the arena’s video board did little to soften the crowd’s mood, as boos rained down from the opening tip.
Clippers’ Perspective: Patience Required
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue addressed Beal’s struggles before the game, noting that the guard is still working his way back from injury and is not expected to carry the scoring load with stars like Kawhi Leonard and James Harden sidelined. “He’s slowly working towards where he’s trying to get to… just stacking games, stacking days,” Lue said, emphasizing the long-term view for Beal’s recovery and integration into the team.
So far, Beal’s numbers with the Clippers have been underwhelming—averaging just
8.0 points per game in limited minutes across four appearances this season. Fantasy basketball analysts have noted his lack of upside until his health and role stabilize.
What’s Next for Beal and the Clippers?
The Clippers are betting that Beal can regain his All-Star form as the season progresses and his minutes restriction is lifted. For now, though, his return to Phoenix serves as a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the NBA—and how unforgiving fans can be when expectations go unmet.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Beal to see if he can silence the doubters and help the Clippers make a deep playoff run. For Suns fans, Thursday night was about closure—and a chance to finally let their feelings be known.
Sources
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