Bradley Beal has 25 off bench, says Suns mum on trade talk
PHILADELPHIA — Bradley Beal came off the bench for the first time in nine years and scored 25 points as the Phoenix Suns ended a four-game skid with a 109-99 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.
Beal was shifted to a reserve role before the game and scored 20 points in the second half as the Suns overcame an early 12-point deficit and won for the second time in nine games.
Beal’s move to the bench sparked rumors that the guard could be on the trade block, though a no-trade clause in his contract means he’d have to sign off on any deal.
When asked if his move to the bench had something to do with the trade rumors, Beal says he’s not heard anything from the team.
“If so, I need to be addressed because I hold the cards,” he told reporters after Monday’s game. “Until I’m addressed and somebody says something different, then I’ll be a Sun.”
With Beal coming leading the bench, Phoenix’s reserves outscored Philadelphia’s bench 54-7. It was the second-most points the Suns’ bench has scored in a game over the last two seasons, according to ESPN Research.
Kevin Durant scored 23 points and Ryan Dunn 15 for the Suns. Jusuf Nurkic, who was also moved to the bench alongside Beal, had five points and seven rebounds in 14 minutes.
Beal, 31, is averaging 17.8 points on 48% shooting this season. He has more than $110 million left on his contract after this season.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Source: espn.com