Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal proves he’s more than ’empty stats’ during All-Star Game

Back at the All-Star Game after being snubbed in 2020, Bradley Beal made sure to put on a show in 2021.

Bradley Beal is known for scoring. The All-Star game is known for scoring. This was a match made in heaven. And Bradley Beal did the Washington Wizards and Wizards fans proud with a stellar performance that should prove he’s more than “empty stats.” It’s been one of the criticisms lobbed Beal’s way in recent seasons as he averages big numbers only for the Wizards to fail.

That is still somewhat the case this season — the Wizards are on the wrong side of .500 while Beal leads the league in scoring. However, Beal’s not simply getting buckets because he’s the only option in Washington. He’s getting buckets because he’s great. And he proved that while surrounded by the games’ greatest players.

Although Team Durant fell to Team LeBron,170-150, Beal finished the game as Team Durant’s leading scorer, dropping 26 points while shooting 62.5 percent from the field (10-16) and 50 percent from three (6-12). Only James Harden shot better from behind the arc on Team Durant (7-13; 53.8 percent).

Among all All-Stars, only Giannis Antetonkoumpo (35), Damian Lillard (32), and Steph Curry (28) finished the game with more points than Beal. Not surprisingly, those three are all in the top-five in scoring this season. Joel Embiid, the other member of that top-tier scoring squad, was a late scratch due to COVID-19 exposure.

Bradley Beal made a statement at the 2021 All-Star Game.

In his first All-Star start, Beal looked like he belonged out there. He looked like one of the best. And that hasn’t always been the case for him during these showcases. In each of his past All-Star games, Beal turned in some pretty tepid performances. Here’s how he fared in his two previous appearances compared to this year:

• 2018 ASG: 14 points; 5-10 FG; 4-8 3PT in 16:51 minutes
• 2019 ASG: 11 points 4-11 FG; 3-10 3PT in 17:42 minutes
• 2021 ASG: 26 points 10-16 FG; 6-12 3PT in 30:34 minutes

This was by far Beal’s best showing, scoring more points than he had in his previous two All-Star Games combined. Not only did he put up a lofty point total, but Beal saw the floor more than most of the All-Stars. Only Kyrie Irving, James Harden, Luka Doncic, and Chris Paul played more minutes.

One season after getting snubbed from the 2020 All-Star Game, Beal made sure to show everyone they made a mistake by leaving him at home. While Beal may not have walked away with the MVP trophy — that went to Giannis — he did prove he’s much more than empty stats and a high usage rate, even in a game that is technically full of empty stats.

He’s the real deal, and he’s not done yet.