Bradley Beal 2024 NBA Playoffs Scouting Report: Dissecting Phoenix Suns guard’s impact and minutes

Ever since his first game with the Phoenix Suns on Nov. 8, 2023, against the Chicago Bulls, Bradley Beal has been a dominant player. Despite missing seven games due to a lower back injury, Beal’s impressive perimeter shooting has provided a significant boost for Phoenix.

On Feb. 4, Phoenix secured a 140-112 victory against the Washington Wizards. Despite dropping 43 points against his former team and shooting 16-of-21 from the field, Beal’s return to Washington was bittersweet. However, the Suns’ main focus was getting a road win, which they successfully achieved.

Up to this point, the Suns’ shooting guard has displayed an impressive performance, particularly in the past five games. As the playoffs draw near, it is worth considering Bradley Beal’s value to Phoenix.

Bradley Beal’s career regular season statistics

Despite recently experiencing lower back tightness, Bradley Beal has still managed to play 47 games for the Suns, which would have been 54 games had he not been hindered by his injury.

Since his trade to the Suns, Beal’s scoring average has been 17.4 points per game, with 5.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steals. Notably, his field goal percentage has seen a significant increase at 49.8 percent.

Analysis of Bradley Beal’s Skillset

Bradley Beal’s proficiency in three-point shooting is a well-known aspect of his performance in the NBA. His current success rate of 38.8 percent from beyond the arc is only slightly higher than his career average of 37.3 percent. The addition of Bradley Beal to the Suns’ roster adds another dependable shooter to the likes of Devin Booker, Eric Gordon, and Grayson Allen.

Despite his consistency on the defensive end, Beal’s steals per game align closely with his career average. This statistic does not imply that he is lacking in his ability to guard opponents.

Despite being a 3-time NBA All-Star, the player’s health remains a concern. Throughout his career, he has only managed to play 82 games in a season twice: in the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons.

When in good health, he has no difficulty scoring three-pointers against the opposing team.

The Importance of Bradley Beal’s Role and Playing Time

Ever since joining the Phoenix through a trade, Bradley Beal has been a key contributor to the team’s success. His exceptional perimeter shooting has greatly relieved the scoring burden on Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.

Regardless of whether he starts or enters the game as a substitute, he consistently plays a significant number of minutes. With an average of 33.1 minutes per game, it is likely that he will see an increase in playing time during the playoffs.

The Suns have assembled a formidable NBA roster so far, with Beal being an exceptional addition. With this, Coach Frank Vogel now has a wealth of three-point shooters to choose from.

When Durant or Booker are on the court with Bradley Beal, they may not need to rely on perimeter shots. Beal’s performance from the 3-point line could significantly impact the Phoenix Suns’ chances in the playoffs this season.