Los Angeles Clippers guard Bradley Beal will miss the remainder of the 2023-2024 NBA season after suffering a fractured hip, according to his agent, Mark Bartelstein. The injury occurred during the Clippers’ 114-103 loss to the Phoenix Suns on November 8, and Beal subsequently missed the following game against the Atlanta Hawks. Initially, the team described his condition as hip soreness, but after further medical evaluations, the severity of the injury became clear, leading the player and team medical staff to opt for season-ending surgery.
At 32 years old, Beal’s injury is a significant blow to the Clippers, who had hoped the veteran guard would provide a much-needed offensive boost. The decision for surgery came after extensive consultations with multiple doctors and specialists nationwide, working in conjunction with the Clippers’ medical team. Bartelstein explained that the unanimous consensus was that surgery was necessary to ensure Beal’s full and complete recovery.
Beal, a three-time NBA All-Star, joined the Clippers in the offseason on a two-year contract worth $10.98 million, with a player option for the second year. This signing followed the Phoenix Suns’ decision to waive and stretch him, which made Beal a free agent. The Clippers hoped Beal would fill the offensive void left by Norman Powell, who was traded to the Miami Heat in a three-team deal that brought John Collins from the Utah Jazz to Los Angeles.
However, Beal’s start to the season has been far from the Clippers’ expectations. He has played in only six of the team’s ten games so far, averaging a career-low 8.2 points per game on just 37.5% shooting from the field. His performance has been hampered by a knee scope procedure he underwent in May, which limited his preseason preparation. The team has also placed Beal on a minutes restriction in every game he played, further limiting his ability to find rhythm and consistency on the court.
Before joining the Clippers, Beal spent two seasons with the Phoenix Suns, where he averaged 17.6 points per game. Despite his scoring ability, injuries limited him to no more than 53 games in either season, preventing him and the Suns’ star duo of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker from developing the chemistry the team had hoped for. Unfortunately, injury issues have followed Beal to Los Angeles, compounding a challenging transition to his new team.
The Clippers have already struggled out of the gate this season, posting a disappointing 2-8 record. The loss of Beal only worsens their situation, as they are also without Kawhi Leonard, who has been sidelined with an ankle sprain sustained in a November 3 loss to the Miami Heat. However, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Leonard’s absence is not considered “significant,” offering a small measure of relief for the Clippers. Still, even Leonard’s presence cannot fully address the team’s larger problems, as Los Angeles ranks 20th in the league in offensive efficiency and 26th in defense, placing them in the bottom tier overall.
With Beal out, the Clippers need to find alternative sources of scoring to replace what he was expected to provide. Bogdan Bogdanovic, who was acquired to add offensive depth, has struggled to make a significant impact, averaging just 6.3 points per game on 28% shooting through four games. Bogdanovic has also been noticeably absent from recent lineups, having been held out of back-to-back games. Beal’s injury likely means Bogdanovic will have to assume a larger role in the rotation and improve his production to help fill the offensive void.
Beal’s durability has been a concern throughout his career. Despite his 13 years in the league and his proven scoring ability, he has only played 70 or more games in a season four times. Since being traded from the Washington Wizards in 2023, he has struggled to find consistent footing, first with the Suns and now with the Clippers. Nevertheless, his player option for the next season suggests he will likely remain with the Clippers in 2024-2025, assuming recovery from this injury goes as planned.
The Clippers entered this season with hopes of being a dark horse contender in the highly competitive Western Conference. However, injuries have once again hindered their progress. The loss of key players like Beal and Leonard underscores the ongoing challenges the team faces in maintaining health and consistency. With