Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal says the team is “fighting the league” about playing this Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Washington Wizards have been out of action for the past week after six players and one staff member tested positive for COVID-19. After being held out by the NBA, the Wizards were permitted to return to practice on Wednesday. They also received news from the league that they are expected to play on Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks.
After the practice on Wednesday, Bradley Beal said that the Wizards are “fighting the league” on whether they should play on Friday. Additionally, Beal said that he and Russell Westbrook will talk with Michele Roberts, executive director of the National Basketball Players Association, about the situation.
UPDATE: Not long after, the NBA decided to postpone Friday’s game.
Wizards had many players unavailable for practice on Wednesday
Beal is voicing concern with the league that the team won’t be prepared or conditioned enough to play in two days’ time. The Wizards are only expected to have eight players active for Friday.
In the team’s official injury report, Deni Avdija, Davis Bertans, Troy Brown Jr., Rui Hachimura, Ish Smith and Mortiz Wagner have been ruled out of Friday’s game due to health and safety protocols. Westbrook will miss the game due to a left quad injury. Thomas Bryant was also placed on the report but won’t play for the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL.
Washington last played on Jan. 11, where they defeated the Phoenix Suns 128-107. Since then, the Wizards’ following five contests against the Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers (two home games) and Charlotte Hornets have been postponed.
It’s unknown how successful the Wizards will be in their plea with the league. Let’s not forget that the Philadelphia 76ers played with just seven players against the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 9. For now, Washington will have to get ready to face the Bucks on Friday.