Brad Beal Set to Return vs. Nets

Praise whatever (if any) deity you follow - Bradley Beal is ready to play again!

As reported by Gene Wang of the Washington Post, main man is set to return to the lineup tonight against the Brooklyn Nets after missing the last five games with a wrist injury that occurred back on January 18 in Denver. Although Beal initially played through the discomfort for a few games, he noticeably struggled, which resulted in decreased minutes and fourth quarter bench rests, before he was finally shelved.

Up until the wrist sprain, Beal had been on a New Year's surge, averaging 19 points a game and shooting a lights-out 60 percent on 43 3-point attempts in the first nine games of January.

Beal’s game was naturally suspect at the start of the season, not only because of raw inexperience, but also because of the lack of support from an established point guard. However, it wasn’t long before he found some comfort, and gradual improvement started to show in his aggression toward the rim, his ability to find open space for high percentage jumpers, and his willing defense. His uprise earned him the NBA’s Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month award for both December and January.

With the eventual return of John Wall to the lineup, things only seemed to get better as the duo showed plenty flashes of what the future may hold for this promising Wizards backcourt.

Without Beal in the lineup, the Wizards offense has clearly lacked a go-to scorer and has been scrapping for ways to get the ball in the basket. Thankfully, with the direction of John Wall, combined with the consistency of Martell Webster and the recent emergence of Emeka Okafor, the Wizards have been able to remain somewhat competitive in Beal’s absence, going 2-3 in the five games he has missed.

Beal’s return should now solidify the health of just about all the players, save for Trevor Booker and Cartier Martin. The Wizards will look to go 3 for 3 in their current home stretch tonight, then travel to Milwaukee and Detroit before heading into the All-Star break.