Knicks brace for Bradley Beal’s return

Bradley Beal, RJ Barrett, New York Knicks
Oct 14, 2022; New York, New York, USA; Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal (3) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks will be looking to bounce back against the Washington Wizards after a heartbreaking loss to the Toronto Raptors. But they will have their hands full.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Wizards star Bradley Beal is expected to make his return against New York on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden after dealing with a left hamstring strain. He was listed as questionable ahead of Wednesday’s matchup.

It’s a welcome development for the Washington Wizards, who have lost four of five games during Beal’s latest absence, including a 112-108 loss to the Knicks at D.C. last week.

Beal has career averages of 22.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists against the Knicks. But it will be Beal’s first game against them since March 25, 2021. He has missed the Wizards’ last four regular-season meetings with the Knicks.

RJ Barrett and Quentin Grimes will take turns trying to slow down the Wizards star.

The Knicks have won their last three meetings.

Aside from Beal, the Knicks will also have to contain Kyle Kuzma, who led the Wizards in their last face-off with 40 points, and former Knick Kristaps Porzingis.

“I mean, getting Brad back is really going to help. Just having another guy that can get into the paint and generate threes, that’s something that we’ve been really missing is another guy that really get into the paint and help other guys get shots off.”

Kyle Kuzma via NBC Sports-Washington

The Wizards are slightly better with Beal (10-14) than without him (8-12).

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