Bradley Beal Facing Backlash After Suns’ Loss to Celtics
The Phoenix Suns endured a tough night in their 123-103 loss to the Boston Celtics, with Bradley Beal’s performance standing out for all the wrong reasons. Beal, a three-time All-Star and one of the most prominent additions to the Suns this past offseason, posted a dismal stat line: just one point, going 0-7 from the field and 0-3 from three-point range. Along with that, he recorded five assists, four rebounds, three steals, and one block in 30 minutes of play.
This poor performance comes at a critical time for Phoenix, who now find themselves in a perilous position in the Western Conference standings. With the loss, the Suns (35-42) are two games behind the Sacramento Kings for the 10th and final spot in the Play-In Tournament, which could be their last chance to qualify for the playoffs. The Suns, despite their star-studded roster, have struggled to put together consistent performances throughout the season, and Beal’s showing in Boston has only fueled the growing frustration around the team.
NBA fans were quick to voice their displeasure with Beal’s performance on social media, and the backlash has been intense. One fan sarcastically remarked, “Trading for Bradley Beal gotta be the worst move by a front office in NBA history.” Others were more blunt in their criticism, with one fan writing, “Bradley Beal is one of the worst players in the NBA,” and another commenting, “It’s unbelievably sickening that Bradley Beal makes 50 million a year.” The outrage stems from Beal’s hefty contract, a five-year, $251 million max deal he signed with the Washington Wizards in 2022 before agreeing to waive his no-trade clause in order to join the Suns.
The trade, which sent Beal, Jordan Goodwin, and Isaiah Todd to Phoenix in exchange for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, and multiple draft assets, was expected to elevate the Suns to championship contention. However, Beal has struggled to find his rhythm with his new team. Since his arrival, the Suns have faced early playoff exit heartbreak in the 2023 Western Conference Semifinals, falling to the Denver Nuggets in a 4-2 series defeat, and now face a real threat of missing the postseason altogether.
With just five games remaining in the regular season, the Suns’ hopes of clinching a Play-In spot are on life support. Their next test comes on Sunday against the New York Knicks, where a win is desperately needed to keep their playoff hopes alive. The pressure is mounting on Beal and the Suns, and the team will need to rally quickly if they are to salvage a disappointing season.
As for Beal, he will need to shake off this performance and prove that he can still be the difference-maker Phoenix expected when they traded for him. His critics will be watching closely.