"Picking up the garbage thrown by Phoenix": Clippers Fans Explode After Bradley Beal's Miserable Outing in Harden, Leonard's absence

LA Clippers guard Bradley Beal returned to Phoenix on Thursday to face his former team, the Suns. Beal signed a two-year, $10.9 million deal with the Clippers after the Suns waived him in July following a buyout and stretch agreement. The former All-Star was expected to lead his new team, which arrived in The Valley with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden on the inactive list.

Beal struggled badly in the first three quarters, contributing just five points behind 2-for-14 shooting, including 1-for-5 from deep.

Fans reacted to his underwhelming show in his return to Phoenix:

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“The Clippers is picking up the garbage thrown by the Phoenix!”

One fan said:

Another fan added:

One more fan continued:

Another fan reacted:

Bradley Beal was particularly horrendous in the third quarter, where he went 0-for-3 with one foul and two turnovers. Ty Lue pulled him out halfway through the period for Bogdan Bogdanovic. Beal’s struggles were a key reason the Clippers stuttered. After leading 51-48 at halftime, they trailed 78-59 when the shooting guard left the floor.

Bradley Beal’s production has steadily dropped since arriving in Phoenix after 11 seasons with the Washington Wizards. From averaging 22.1 points per game on 46.0% shooting, including 37.2% from deep with the Wizards, Beal has lost his All-Star form. He averaged 18.2 ppg in his first season with the Suns before putting up 17.0 ppg during the 2024-25 campaign.

The Suns wanted to trade him in February, but Beal’s no-trade clause gave him plenty of leverage. Finally, he agreed to a buyout in the offseason before joining James Harden and Kawhi Leonard in LA.

Heading into the showdown against the Suns, Beal is averaging 8.0 ppg, 1.5 apg and 1.0 rpg.

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Ty Lue benched Bradley Beal in fourth quarter

Bradley Beal never entered the game again after Ty Lue substituted him for Bogdan Bogdanovic halfway through the third quarter. The Suns’ 8-0 run to open the final frame likely forced Lue to keep his starters out.

The Clippers relied on Brook Lopez, Cam Christie, John Collins, Kobe Brown and Bogdanovic to attempt a fourth-quarter rally. Christie’s 24-footer with 2:06 to go cut the deficit to 109-98.

The Suns ended the Clippers' hopes of turning the game around after Royce O’Neale drilled back-to-back 3-pointers. Eventually, the hosts rolled to a 115-102 win while former star Bradley Beal sat on the bench in the final 18 minutes.

Edited by Michael Macasero