Bradley Beal (ankle) returning to Suns

Field Level Media|published: Fri 29th December, 13:30 2023

Dec 15, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) reacts after scoring against the New York Knicks in the first half at Footprint Center. credits: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal, who has missed the past five games with an ankle injury, is available to return to play Friday night against the Charlotte Hornets, the team announced.

Acquired in an offseason trade with the Washington Wizards, Beal has appeared in just six games for the Suns. He was sidelined at the beginning of the season due to back issues.

The Suns hoped to assemble a "big three" with Beal and fellow All-Stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, but the three have played just one full game together. Entering Friday's game, the Suns are 15-15 and in 10th place in the Western Conference.

Beal injured his right ankle during the first quarter of the Suns' game against the New York Knicks on Dec. 15 and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest.

The injury occurred when he made a 3-pointer with 7:28 left in the first quarter, and his right ankle landed on the heel of Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo. A foul was called on DiVincenzo and it was reviewed and subsequently upgraded to a flagrant foul 1.

Beal, 30, is averaging 14.7 points per game in limited action, well short of his career average of 22.1 points in 701 total games (667 starts) for the Wizards (2012-23) and Suns.

—Field Level Media