Why Bradley Beal Didn't View Clippers vs. Suns as Revenge Game After Contract Buyout

Thursday's game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Suns didn't hold any extra special meaning for Bradley Beal.

Speaking to The Athletic's Law Murray about his first game back in Phoenix after taking a contract buyout in July, Beal explained why he didn't treat it as a revenge game:

"To me, it wasn't about get back. We whooped y'all a couple weeks ago. So it wasn't like, you know, I don't think it's about that. For me, it was—no disrespect to Phoenix—but it was more meaningful for me to go back to D.C. and play, after being there for 11 years and that's my franchise, you know? I feel like I was more geeked about that than coming back here. There's no disrespect … but they have their way how they feel."

Even though Beal didn't consider this as a moment to show up his former team, he did get in a nice dig at the Suns by noting the Clippers already "whooped" them in Los Angeles on Oct. 24.

Neither matchup against the Suns has been one for Beal to put on his highlight reel. He scored six points in 20 minutes in the first meeting last month. Thursday night was a rough one for the three-time All-Star with five points on 2-of-14 shooting in just under 20 minutes, as the Clippers lost to the Suns 115-102.

Clippers-Suns Full Highlights

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The 14 field-goal attempts for Beal marked a season-high and were tied with Ivica Zubac for the most by any Clippers player.

Beal spent two seasons in Phoenix after being acquired in a July 2023 trade with the Washington Wizards. His addition was sold as the Suns building their own big three, with him joining Kevin Durant and Devin Booker.

Things never materialized during their two seasons together for a variety of reasons. Beal and the Suns reportedly had a contentious split over the summer over the amount of money he gave up to accept a buyout.

The Clippers added Beal as a free agent to help bolster their depth around Zubac, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. He's had a slow start to the season, averaging 7.4 points on 35.9 percent shooting and 1.4 assists per game in five starts.