Beal out for Wizards' home opener vs. Pacers with hip injury originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
The Wizards will be without star guard Bradley Beal for their home opener on Friday night against the Indiana Pacers as he continues to deal with a right hip contusion, an injury he sustained against the Raptors on Wednesday.
Beal took a shot to the midsection late in the Wizards' win in Toronto and exited the game. The Wizards then announced the next afternoon he was listed as questionable against the Pacers.
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"He’s still a little sore. I think out of a bit of caution, I think it’s just prudent of us to give him today, get him more treatment," Washington head coach Wes Unseld Jr. said.
"He was treated twice yesterday and this morning. We know he’s a tough kid and he would obviously want to play. But I think it’s smart just to see that he’s completely healthy going into next week."
Beal, 28, made the All-NBA team last season after leading the Eastern Conference in scoring for the second straight year. He led the Wizards with 23 points in their win over the Raptors.
The good news is Beal will not be out long, according to Unseld Jr. The team will be off Saturday and practice Sunday before heading to Brooklyn to play the Nets on Monday. Unseld Jr. says he will likely play.
"We anticipate him being available for Monday. I don’t foresee any residual effects. It just seemed like it was a pain threshold at this point and a little bit of mobility. Beyond that, there was nothing structural or anything worrisome," Unseld Jr. said.
