When you think about basketball, there are moments that come to mind that make fans feel a deep connection to the sport. For Bradley Beal and Tyus Jones, their journey has led them to face the Washington Wizards, their former team, in what promises to be an emotional reunion. Beal, a star who became the franchise's second all-time leading scorer during his 11 seasons with the Wizards, and Jones, who had a career year in Washington before moving to the Phoenix Suns as a free agent, are both preparing for their first big matchup in the nation’s capital.
Beal's career with the Wizards was a remarkable one, amassing an impressive 15,391 points, putting him just behind the legendary Elvin Hayes, who scored 15,551. Beal was a crucial part of the Wizards’ offense for over a decade, and his connection to the city is undeniable. Reflecting on his return, Beal shared, “It’s always fun, second home.” He added, “It’s good to be able to see my brother, see my family that’s there. My nephew. Spend time with family. It’s always good to be back in the city. It’ll be cold as I don’t know what, but it’ll be good to see some familiar faces.”
In fact, last season, Beal delivered a stunning performance against Washington, posting a career-high 43 points in his first game back. That return to D.C. was nothing short of special, reminding everyone of the lasting legacy Beal has in the city.
As exciting as that return may be, it’s been an up-and-down season for Beal and his new team, the Phoenix Suns. Coming into this season with high expectations after joining forces with fellow stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, the Suns were poised for championship contention. However, things haven’t quite gone as planned, with the team struggling to find its rhythm, currently sitting at a .500 record with a 19-20 tally. This includes a tough 122-117 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, a game where Phoenix’s defense was severely tested. The Hawks shot 17-of-41 from three-point range and took advantage of 20 offensive rebounds, racking up 27 points off those boards to seal the victory.
Devin Booker, despite scoring a team-high 35 points in the defeat, expressed frustration, stating, “We have to come into D.C. ready. Like I said at home, how do we respond once things get tougher and everything doesn’t fall our way. We have a test and that’s D.C. next game.” It’s clear the Suns are feeling the pressure, and with the team still figuring out how to play consistently, Thursday’s game against Washington feels like a critical one.
The Wizards, on the other hand, have their own struggles. With a dreadful 6-32 record, they’re currently sitting at the bottom of the NBA standings. Washington is 1-9 in their last 10 games, which further highlights how rough things have been this season. In contrast, the Suns can’t afford any more slip-ups. Their current position, sitting outside of the playoffs, has raised serious concerns, and Thursday’s game feels like it could be a “must-win” for Phoenix to stay in contention for the postseason.
Suns wing Royce O'Neale also chimed in on what needs to improve for the team: “We can’t let our offense dictate our defense. I think we’ve got to stay more locked in when our shots aren’t falling.” The Suns' struggles on defense have been a key factor in their uneven performances, and staying focused regardless of offensive woes will be crucial in turning things around.
Unfortunately, the Suns might be without Beal for Thursday's game. After an unfortunate injury in a game against Atlanta, Beal rolled his left ankle after battling for a rebound with Hawks' big man David Roddy. While he tried to play through the pain, Beal walked with a noticeable limp after the game and is now listed as doubtful for the upcoming matchup. He did his best to continue, saying, “Definitely wasn’t a good tweak, but I just kind of pushed through it. Did the best I could do to finish.” His absence would certainly be a big blow for Phoenix, as they’ve come to rely on Beal for his scoring and leadership.
Meanwhile, Tyus Jones, who joined the Suns as a free agent after spending a season with Washington, will also be playing against his former team. Though his time in D.C. was brief, Jones made an impact, posting career-high averages of 12.0 points per game and 7.3 assists. He spoke warmly of his one-year stint with the Wizards: “It’ll be cool, cool to see so familiar faces. I was only there a year, but you still build relationships with people, with the community as well. It’ll be cool. I enjoyed my year there. They treated me well and it’ll be fun to see some familiar faces.”
The game will also be a homecoming for none other than Kevin Durant, who hails from Washington D.C. Durant, a 31-point scorer in his last outing against Atlanta, has been a crucial player for the Suns. However, he’s admitted that his style of play might sometimes stall the offense. Reflecting on his recent performance, Durant said, “Once I get going, sometimes it might stall the offense when I start making four or five shots in a row and then people are watching me play... Maybe I should’ve gotten, seen if I could’ve gotten guys going a little bit more in that third.” Still, Durant’s leadership and scoring ability are vital for Phoenix, and his experience will be key in guiding the Suns through the challenges ahead.
The struggles of Beal and Jones in Phoenix haven’t gone unnoticed. Both players joined the Suns with high hopes of being part of a team ready to contend for a championship. However, things have been complicated. Beal, once a dynamic scorer in Washington, has found himself coming off the bench this season, something he hasn't experienced since his early years in the NBA. The three-time All-Star is averaging just 17.9 points per game, well below his usual standards, and he’s even been linked to trade rumors as the February 6 trade deadline approaches. Beal’s no-trade clause does give him some control over his future, but his role in Phoenix remains uncertain as the Suns continue to navigate their season.
Jones, too, has found his role with the Suns shifting. Initially brought in as the potential solution at point guard, he’s now playing more off the ball, with Booker, Beal, and Durant leading the offense. Jones is shooting a career-best 42.1% from three and averaging 11.6 points, but his 1.3 turnovers per game are a concern. As the Suns look to build momentum, these individual performances will be crucial in determining how they move forward.
Despite all these struggles, there’s still hope for the Suns. The team recently made a trade, sending Josh Okogie and three second-round draft picks to Charlotte in exchange for reserve big man Nick Richards and another second-round pick. This move may provide a boost to the Suns’ depth, though the team still faces the challenge of finding consistency.
One more hurdle for Phoenix has been the absence of center Jusuf Nurkic, who has missed two straight games due to illness. Without the 7-footer, the Suns have had to adjust, and with no clear timeline on Nurkic’s return, Phoenix must find a way to stay competitive.
As the Suns prepare to face the Wizards, the pressure is mounting. The team is in a fight for playoff positioning, and with Beal and Jones facing their former team, emotions will run high. For Phoenix, this game is more than just another road trip—it’s a chance to reset, find their groove, and prove that they belong in the playoff picture. All eyes will be on D.C. as the Suns look to bounce back from their recent struggles and set the tone for the rest of the season.
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