Why is Bradley Beal playing with a face mask against the Kings?

The Phoenix Suns are starting to find their rhythm as their Big Three find more time together on the court after a first half of the season full of injuries. Bradley Beal has been one of the main reasons for the turn around, and despite having to play with a less than comfortable face mask, he continues to put up big numbers and the Suns continue to win.

Masked Beal playing his best ball

Beal was listed on the injury report tonight, but is expected to play as he has for the last few games despite a nasal fracture. He suffered the injury on January 26th in a loss to the Pacers. He would come back to the game later in the second half, and has been a regular starter in Frank Vogel’s first five.

He has had to wear a face mask since that day and didn’t get a custom fit mask until their road trip ended a week after the Pacers game. He had his best game of his Suns career with the mask on in his return to Washington when he put up 43 against his former team. He also had a 30 point game against the Jazz and he’s averaging over 25 points a game this month.

Beal is most likely going to have to have his nose reset soon or later, and will bet forced to miss time. With the All-Star break coming up that could be an opportune time to get the third piece of the Big Three back to full fitness.