In the offseason, the Suns acquired Bradley Beal hoping to create a feared trio with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.
After several setbacks, it appears Phoenix will finally get all three members on the court nearly two months into the season, as the Suns recently provided a positive update on Beal's lingering back injury.
Beal has missed 19 of Phoenix's first 22 games this season, averaging 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 39.1 percent shooting from the field and 33.3 percent from 3-point range. Durant, who has missed just three games, did briefly share the floor with Beal this season, but Booker, who has missed nine games this season, has yet to play with his new teammate.
Here's what you need to know about Beal's extended absence and impending return.
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What happened to Bradley Beal?
On Nov. 17, the Suns announced that Beal would be re-evaluated in three weeks while rehabbing a lower back strain.
Beal missed the first seven games of the season due to his back before making his debut on Nov. 8, only to tweak his back once again on Nov. 12. He had been listed on the injury report with lower back tightness and spasms.
Beal missed parts of the 2022-23 season with a left knee injury and ultimately wound up only playing in 50 of the 82 games of the season.
Bradley Beal injury update
On Sunday, Dec. 10, Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic reported that barring any setbacks, Beal was "on course" to return to the lineup on Tuesday, Dec. 12 when the Suns host the Warriors.
Tuesday's game comes exactly one month after Beal last played and is the first of four games in six days for Phoenix.
Suns upcoming schedule
Here's a look at the games coming up for the Suns:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV |
| Dec. 12 | vs. Warriors | 10 p.m. | TNT |
| Dec. 13 | vs. Nets | 9 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 15 | vs. Knicks | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| Dec. 17 | vs. Wizards | 8 p.m. | — |
| Dec. 19 | at Trail Blazers | 10 p.m. | — |
