Veteran guard Bradley Beal is ready to return from the right ankle sprain that has sidelined him since Dec. 15, with the Suns confirming Friday (via X) that he’ll be available for Friday’s game vs. Charlotte. He was previously listed as questionable.
The Suns initially announced on Dec. 18 that Beal would be re-evaluated in two weeks, indicating they expected him to be out until January. However, the 30-year-old expressed a desire to beat that recovery timeline, and it appears he’ll achieve that goal, returning just 11 days later.
Given that Kevin Durant and Devin Booker aren’t on the Suns’ injury report, Friday’s game against the Hornets should be the third time this year that all three stars are available.
The trio made its debut on Dec. 13 vs. Brooklyn and played together vs. the Knicks two days later, though Beal left that game in the first quarter due to his ankle injury. Both of those contests were Suns losses, so Durant, Booker and Beal are still seeking their first win together.
Beal, who was sidelined earlier in the season due to back issues, averaged 16.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game with a .433/.400/.696 shooting line in his five appearances prior to his Dec. 15 injury. He and the Suns will hope to string together some wins and move up the Western Conference standings — the team currently holds the No. 10 spot at 15-15.
