Bill’s injury and timeline
Los Angeles Clippers guard Bradley Beal will miss the game with a left hip injury. Head coach Tyronn Lue confirmed the news before Monday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. The team expects Beal to miss multiple games while doctors complete imaging tests to learn more about the injury.
Beal, 32, suffered a hip injury in the team’s 115-102 loss to the Phoenix Suns last Thursday. When he tries to run the ball, the game happens. He still appeared in Saturday’s rematch with the Suns, scoring 12 points in 20 minutes, his highest score of the season.
A slow start in Los Angeles
Beal’s first season with the Clippers was rough. He averaged a career-low 8.2 points and 1.7 rebounds in six games. The veteran guard has struggled to find a rhythm playing alongside Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and James Harden.
Before joining the Clippers, Beal was known for his consistent scoring. In 14 NBA seasons, he averaged 21.4 points and 4.3 assists in 807 games. He spent most of his career with the Washington Wizards (2012-23), followed by brief spells with the Phoenix Suns (2023-25) and now the Clippers.
Lu’s adjustments to the lineup
Due to Beal’s absence, Lue changed the starting lineup for the Atlanta game. He replaced Beal with forward John Collins instead of another guard. “We’ve been working hard on rebounding,” Lue said. “Statistically, (Collins) is a very good rebounder. Putting him next to (Ivica Zubac) helps us get bigger. We were small with (Beal).”
The Clippers enter this week with a mixed start to the season. Injuries to key players limited their chemistry and forced the team to make frequent lineup changes. Despite the strong performance, the team is still looking for stability.
What’s next for Beal and the Clippers
The Clippers hope Beal’s imaging results bring good news. Until then, they’ll rely on their depth to stay competitive in the West. The veteran guard’s health will be crucial if the Clippers hope to make a deep playoff run.
