Wizards get boost they need with Bradley Beal's return
WASHINGTON — Bradley Beal grabbed the defensive rebound and, after getting the ball to point guard Andre Miller, Beal set up at the three-point line.
Otto Porter missed a three-pointer, but Miller collected the offensive rebound and whipped a pass to Beal, still positioned for a three-point shot. He made the three and gave the Washington Wizards a one-point lead over the Dallas Mavericks mid-way through the fourth quarter on Wednesday.
If there was any concern about Beal after he sustained a non-displaced fracture to his left (non-shooting) wrist in the preseason, that concern disappeared in Beal's season debut against the Mavericks.
Beal scored 21 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including 3-of-6 on threes, in Washington's 105-102 loss to the Mavericks. Beal didn't start and his minutes were watched. Still, he played 26 minutes and led the Wizards in scoring, a positive sign moving forward.
"Health-wise, I felt pretty good," Beal said. "I got a little winded toward the end, but it was a good test for me, a good start, and I'm going to continue to improve each and every day."
Beal said his wrist felt fine throughout the game, even after contact.
Said Wizards coach Randy Wittman: "It was good having Bradley Beal back. I thought he looked fine. Got a little winded, but we'll see how he gets out of it tonight. I thought he did fine for his first game back."
Beal participated in his first full practice on Monday and practiced again Tuesday, making enough progress to put him in the rotation before Friday's showdown against the Cleveland Cavaliers — a home game in which the Wizards should be favored.
Remember at the start of training camp when Beal said he and point guard John Wall form "the best backcourt in the league?" When told of Beal's proclamation, Cleveland guard Dion Waiters said, "That's nonsense."
Though none of the key participants are still playing for either team — save for Cleveland's LeBron James and Anderson Varejao — Washington and Cleveland played in some competitive playoff games in 2006, 2007 and 2008. A bit of that rivalry lingers, and Beal and Waiters did their part to re-ignite it.
Expect Beal, who averaged 17.1 points and shot 41.9% on threes last season, to play more against Cleveland in what is turning into a telling week for the Wizards. After they play Cleveland on Friday, they travel to Milwaukee for a back-to-back against the improved Bucks.
The Wizards managed well without Beal in the lineup, going 7-2 before Wednesday's loss to the Mavericks. A year ago, the Wizards were 2-7 and were not the kind of team that could withstand a loss to a key starter. This season, they are. But anything less than two victories this week would be a disappointment.
With 2:15 left in the game, referees called Beal for a charge, which led to a big three-pointer by Dallas guard J.J. Barea. But the key takeaway for Beal in his season debut: He was on the floor late in the fourth quarter with game on the line, which is what the Wizards need.
"We know what he's capable of in terms of spacing the court," Wall said.
Follow Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt.