Beal happy to play in front of family for first time this season originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
The Wizards were recently given clearance to begin allowing fans at their home games for the first time in over 13 months. Their first game with fans, about 2100 of them, will be on Wednesday as they host Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
This weekend, however, they technically began the process, as some friends and family members of players were permitted to watch from the upper deck. Among all the unusual challenges this NBA season has presented as they play games amid a worldwide pandemic, one of them has been the absence of family at home games.
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As Bradley Beal explained after the Wizards' win on Saturday, that element has been missed.
"It was great. We haven’t played in front of our family all year. Granted, they were in the upper deck. But just knowing their presence is there is always motivational and supportive. You have somebody there that always has your back, no matter if you’re playing good or bad," Beal said.
Beal said he had his sons, Deuce and Braylon, at the game on Friday night when they beat the Pelicans. His wife, Kamiah, plus his brother and his wife attended Saturday's win over the Pistons.
Normally, his family would be sitting courtside, much closer than the upper deck. But even having them in the building means a lot to Beal.
"It’s been great. We’re happy that they’re starting to let fans back and our families are a part of it," Beal said.
