Game 33: Washington Wizards (10-22) vs. Orlando Magic (14-19) - 6:00 PM ET

[nate33]

I think beal.doesnt want to waste a chance to get that super max eligibility or get that all star nod.

Making All-NBA for supermax eligibility is no longer relevant. Beal already extended his contract so that his 9th year is slightly less than a 30% max contract. In his 10th season (2022) when he opts out, he will be eligible for a full 35% supermax contract regardless of whether or not he makes All-NBA, because all 10 year players are eligible for a 35% supermax.

Frankly, if he keeps playing like this, he is more likely to decrease the value of his 2022 contract than increase it - particularly if he develops a chronic injury.

My guess is that Brad wants to play because he is trying to lead by example and not let his teammates down. His heart is in the right place even if it's the wrong decision.

Rest up and get healthy Brad. It's better for you and better for the team.

[DCZards]

When Beal wasn't in the game last night he was off to the side riding a stationary bike. So, yeah, he's cleary not fully healthy. But I don't expect him to take off any extended time. BB is a competitor and wants to be there for his injury-depleted team.

I do think we'll see a significant reduction in the # of minutes Beal plays...maybe/hopefully for the rest of the season.

[nate33]

When Beal wasn't in the game last night he was off to the side riding a stationary bike. So, yeah, he's cleary not fully healthy.

In a way, that's reassuring. It suggests that whatever injury he has is a soft tissue injury: a sore or strained muscle or tendon. I was a little worried that his old stress fracture problems were resurfacing. But if was a stress fracture, riding on a stationary bike wouldn't make any sense.

[Ruzious]

Awful defense esp in the paint

Christy Winter-Scott is way better at color commentary than Gooden. And Caron is as well but Caron is collecting 3 paychecks (NBCSW, NBATV and Lakers)

Steadfast Kutcher hater, but the pairing with CWS worked really well.

It’s a shame they didn’t get her on board, she was tremendous when she was paired up with Buckhantz and Shanier as well.

Would love to see/hear more from her.

I gotta give some credit to Kutcher. He clearly wants the Wiz to do well, but at the same time, he's not playing homer. And he's had to work with Gooden - which was a no-win situation for him. Butler's a stronger commentator than Gooden, so far, but I think CWS has the most potential, and it doesn't hurt that she's the most telegenic of them.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

When Beal wasn't in the game last night he was off to the side riding a stationary bike. So, yeah, he's cleary not fully healthy. But I don't expect him to take off any extended time. BB is a competitor and wants to be there for his injury-depleted team.

I do think we'll see a significant reduction in the # of minutes Beal plays...maybe/hopefully for the rest of the season.

Have we not learned anything?

Kawhi Leonard is a competitor. He's played for coaches who've given him time off.

In the past Grant Hill played through. Gilbert Arenas rushed rehab. RGIII played through. John Wall was hurting all last season before he suffered a freakish injury.

Beal should be sat. Period. He's the Zion Williamson of the Wizards as far as I'm concerned. Playing him sans Wall is just dumb for more than one reason. He's playing hard and for what? Benefits the team to develop young players. The eighth playoff spot is not even feasible.

Beal playing 30 minutes and laboring through pain makes no sense. It's not being a competitor as far as I'm concerned.