The Los Angeles Clippers will be without veteran guard Bradley Beal for the rest of the season, as the three-time All-Star prepares to undergo surgery on a fractured left hip.
The news was confirmed by his agent, Mark Bartelstein of PrioritySports, who spoke with ESPNs Shams Charania about the decision.
We met with numerous doctors and specialists around the country in collaboration with the entire Clippers medical staff over the last few days, and came to the decision unanimously that the surgery will allow Brad to have a full and complete recovery, Bartelstein told Charania.
The injury occurred during Saturdays matchup with the Phoenix Suns, when Beal exited in the first half due to hip soreness.
Head coach Tyronn Lue said earlier in the week that imaging was scheduled and that the guard was already expected to miss several games. Those initial concerns quickly evolved as the extent of the injury became clearer.
The 32-year-old had been battling through one of the toughest starts of his 14-year career, averaging 8.2 points and 1.7 rebounds across six games.
It was his first season in Los Angeles after signing a two-year, 11-million-dollar contract this past offseason, a deal that includes a player option for 2026-27, which could send him back into free agency next summer.
Despite the slow start, the veterans rsum speaks for itself: 21.4 points per game and over 800 career appearances for Washington, Phoenix and now Los Angeles.
From a team perspective, the Clippers now face the challenge of adjusting their rotation for the long haul. They have struggled in the limited minutes Beal played, posting a 128.5 defensive efficiency with him on the floor, compared to 113.8 when he sits, according to ESPN Research.
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