On Sunday, the Phoenix Suns hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Footprint Center for Game 4 of the team's first-round playoff series. Trailing by three games and facing elimination, Suns fans looked to their newest star Bradley Beal to make an impact on Sunday and turn the series around.
Unfortunately for Phoenix, Beal was a no-show. The 30-year-old guard shot 4-of-13 against a stout Timberwolves defense, managing to knock down just one of his five attempts from beyond the arc. In 31 minutes of action, Beal mustered up only nine points, fouling out of the game with just under two minutes to play. His six turnovers were the most by a player on either side, resulting in a 122-116 final score that completed Minnesota's first-round sweep of Phoenix.
Wizards fans react to Bradley Beal's playoff shortcomings
In the game's closing moments, Suns fans took to Twitter to let their frustration with Beal's performance be known, while Washington Wizards fans rejoiced about the team's decision to trade the star shooting guard last offseason.
When Michael Winger and Will Dawkins took over in their positions with the Wizards' front office, one of the most important moves the new decision-makers made was to ship Beal off to a contender, ridding the team of the guard's five-year, $251 million contract in exchange for future assets.
Phoenix answered Washington's asking price, accepting a trade that sent Beal to the Western Conference alongside Jordan Goodwin and Isaiah Todd in exchange for Chris Paul, Landry Shamet, four future first-round pick swaps, and six future second-round selections.
The Suns' return for the massive trade package the team sent to Washington looks puzzling after the team's swift playoff exit. According to Hoops Wire, a source within the Suns organization said team owner Mat Ishbia is clueless about basketball.
"“It’s like looney tunes around here ... It’s felt unstable since (Ishbia) arrived. He’s a good guy and everything, I think, but he’s just very involved. Too involved. I know he played (college basketball at Michigan State), but I’d venture to say he has no idea what he’s doing when it comes to basketball. Yet he’s making a lot of the big decisions.”"A Suns source (via Hoops Wire)
Following Sunday's game, Wizards fans shared their gratitude for Ishbia's inept trade decision.
The Timberwolves are set to advance to the second round of the playoffs after their sweep against Phoenix, the first in franchise history. Minnesota's opponent will be the winner of Denver Nuggets series versus the Los Angeles Lakers.