NBA: Scoring but losing … the Beals are ‘sick of it’

The game was a microcosm of the season thus far. Bradley Beal went off and poured in 47 points. And the Washington Wizards lost by 18.

In the process, Beal set an unwanted NBA record. The Wizards have lost 10 consecutive games when Beal scores at least 40. He’s the only player in league history who can say that, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

With Wednesday’s 124-106 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans, Beal passed the mark set by Walt Bellamy in 1961-62 for the Chicago Packers, the franchise that soon moved to Baltimore and later Washington and became the Wizards.

Beal shot 17-of-37 from the field overall, 6-of-14 from three-point range and 7-of-7 on free throws against the Pelicans. But like many games this season, Beal got little support. Garrison Mathews was the Wizards’ next highest scorer with 15 points. Robin Lopez was the only other Washington player in double figures with 14 points.

After averaging a careerhigh 30.5 points last season, Beal, drafted third overall in 2012, has taken his game to even greater heights. Despite his league-leading offensive output, the Wizards sit last in the East heading into Sunday’s visit by the Brooklyn Nets, intensifying trade rumours around Beal.

Asked if he was frustrated, Beal told reporters: “Is the sky blue?”

His wife Kamiah AdamsBeal expressed her own frustration, tweeting: “Sick of it.”

Beal has maintained that he wants to stay in Washington, and the team insists it has no intention of trading him. However, speculation will only grow until the team turns it around.

“It’s tough,” Beal said. “I am not going to sit here and be naive ... We want to win. And I want to win. This is why I stayed. I want to win. I figured this is the place I can get it done.”

34.7

Points per game for Bradley Beal this season, tops in the NBA

4.8

Assists per game

5.1

Rebounds per game

89

Points away from 12,000 in nine seasons as a Wizard

3-12

The Wizards’ record, last in the Eastern Conference

22.7

Scoring average in 40 playoff games, none since 2018

USA Today