Injury update: Suns star to miss a few weeks with sprained right ankle.

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal will miss a few weeks with a right ankle injury, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Beal sprained his ankle during Friday’s 139-122 loss to the New York Knicks, exiting in the first quarter before later being ruled out for the rest of the game. Afterward, Suns coach Frank Vogel said that X-rays were negative.

Beal landed on the foot of Knicks guard Donte DiVincenzo following a 3-point attempt at the 7:29 mark of the first quarter, leading to a severe roll of the ankle. DiVincenzo was called for a flagrant foul on the play, while Beal stayed in the game to make his free throw before being subbed out and heading to the locker room.

 

Beal had just returned to the lineup on Tuesday following a 12-game absence due to a back injury. He has only played in six games this season, entering Friday night with averages of 16.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists on 40% 3-point shooting.

“I’m disappointed for him. He worked really hard,” Vogel said. “You could see the disappointment on his face in the back. That’s my biggest concern, is just keeping him lifted. He’ll get back soon enough, but it’s been a frustrating type of season for him.”

 

This latest injury and potential absence further stunts the development of the Suns’ big three of Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. The trio has only played 24 minutes together this season, and though the sample size has been limited, the results have been phenomenal with a net rating of plus-24.7. Obviously health is the priority, but the stars need to play together in order to build chemistry before what they hope is a long and successful playoff run.

Durant, who has dealt with his fair share of injuries over the past few seasons, thinks that Phoenix will eventually be back stronger than ever, despite the inability of their top trio to stay on the court.