Wizards Ex Bradley Beal Drops 43 as Suns Get Road Win

The evening started the way it finished, all about the return of former Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Washington Wizards gave guard Bradley Beal the return coach Brian Keefe was hoping they would as he and his Phoenix Suns teammates took the floor at Capital One Arena for the first time since he was traded to the Western Conference contenders.

Wizards tribute to Bradley Beal as he returns to D.C. for the first time since being traded to the Suns. pic.twitter.com/GxAkWqyGYS

— David Harrison (@DHarrison82) February 4, 2024

In his return, Beal dropped 42 on the Wizards and his team left the District with a win in their carry-on.

Beal's night got started with two assists on early Suns buckets as his squad ran out to an 11-2 lead over Washington in the first two minutes of the game. 

Drawing the early assignment of covering the former Wizards star was guard Jordan Poole who did his best to stay in front of the D.C. favorite as he facilitated for teammate center Jusuf Nurkic and drove the lane twice for early chances at the rim that came up empty.

Poole wasn't alone in trying to defend Beal as rookie guard Bilal Coulibaly and forward Deni Avdija took their turns in the rotation. Regardless of who was on him early the former Washington star was having his way driving the lane and shooting from distance on his way to 14 points in the first quarter.

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) drives to the basket as Washington Wizards guard Landry Shamet (20) defends in the first half at Capital One Arena / Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Beal started the second quarter on the floor as well looking to help extend the 14-point Phoenix lead from the end of the first, but Avdija had different plans and dropped five of the Wizards' first 11 points in the period to trim the lead to six early on.

Avdija and Washington guard Corey Kispert were victimized by their former teammate on back-to-back possessions resulting in steals by Beal that he quickly turned into four more points pushing the Suns lead back out to 12 with 9:21 left in the first half.

By halftime, Phoenix pushed its lead out to 21 with Beal leading the way with 26 points of his own. Meanwhile, Avdija led all Wizards scorers with 15.

Entering the game averaging just over 17 points per game in 2023-24 and with a season-high of 37 points, Beal's mission to put on a show for the D.C. crowd continued in the third quarter as the Suns extended their lead to 30 points behind his 41 season-high output.

Wizards Welcoming D.C. Favorites Beal and Durant With Suns

Beal played another three minutes in the fourth quarter before checking out with just under nine minutes to play in the game and 43 points scored. 

It was a successful and heartwarming evening for Beal, and another win for Phoenix while Washington dropped its 40th game of the NBA season and third straight. 

Next up, the Wizards host the Cleveland Cavaliers Wednesday night.

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