Do the Wizards play harder without Bradley Beal? Wednesday’s loss offers a clue.

MIAMI — The information broke one hour earlier than the nationwide anthem right here Wednesday night time: Bradley Beal, Rui Hachimura and Monté Morris wouldn’t play within the Washington Wizards’ recreation towards the Miami Warmth due to accidents.

A vocal section of Wizards followers really thought-about that to be optimistic information, no less than because it pertained to Beal. Washington had gained 4 of the 5 video games it had performed this season with out its star guard, perpetuating a story that the workforce is healthier off with out him. Beal’s teammates supposedly play tougher when he’s unable to step on the court docket, or so the speculation goes.

What transpired as soon as the sport tipped off punched a gap in that argument.

The Wizards misplaced to the Warmth 113-105, however the necessary half was not merely that they misplaced. It was how they misplaced. Beal’s teammates sleepwalked for parts of the primary half, permitting Kyle Lowry to take flippantly contested 3-pointers and let the Warmth acquire 10 offensive rebounds.

Washington fought again within the second half — and truly took a lead halfway by way of the fourth quarter — however in the end paid for its earlier lethargy.

“We all know we beat ourselves in that first half,” ahead Kyle Kuzma stated. “We simply didn’t come out and match their physicality, and I used to be brick metropolis.”

It’s inconceivable to find out what proportion of Wizards followers suppose the workforce performs higher with out Beal. Maybe it’s merely a small, however loud, minority. And maybe it solely applies to followers who’re lively on social media.

The reality is, what occurred in a single recreation is not going to sway those that really feel passionately concerning the topic. Certainly, one might make a convincing argument that the Wizards would have crushed the Warmth if Morris and Hachimura had been wholesome.

However there’s now one further information level that exhibits Washington’s power could be lackluster in video games that Beal doesn’t play. In the course of the first half Wednesday, the workforce’s physicality and energy weren’t adequate.

When requested by The Athletic if the workforce performs tougher when the three-time All-Star is out of motion, coach Wes Unseld Jr. answered, “I don’t know if that’s a good query, actually. I don’t know. I feel it’s a kind of issues with all groups. We performed tougher for the second half. I imply, I don’t know you’re going to get the trouble that we as coaches need for 48 minutes. The problem is, can we get it for as near 48 as doable? However I can’t sit right here and say this workforce performs tougher with or and not using a sure man.”

Kristaps Porziņģis confronted the identical query.

“I don’t suppose so,” he stated. “Possibly behind our minds, we’re like, ‘OK, we’re lacking crucial man. All people else has to step up.’ I feel we’re extra aggressive. Kuz is far more aggressive. Corey (Kispert, too). All people is aware of that we’ve got to fill that hole when Brad’s not there. … We have now some guys out, and when Brad’s out, clearly, it leaves an enormous, empty spot. So, yeah, I feel we all know that we’ve got to play our ‘A’ recreation to win these powerful video games.”

Within the NBA, as coaches will inform you, the final rule of thumb is that the majority groups can face up to the lack of their finest participant for a brief time frame however would battle over an prolonged time frame with out their finest participant.

Final season, nonetheless, the Wizards went 17-23 with Beal and 18-24 with out him — hardly proof that he’s irreplaceable.

To this point this season, Washington has fared properly with out Beal, going 4-2 in these video games. However I believe the workforce would ultimately regress towards the imply if he have been to overlook considerably extra video games. This workforce wants Beal to be wholesome, after which enjoying properly, for it to succeed in its potential, no matter that’s.

His present damage shouldn’t be considered one thing that may hold him out lengthy. He has a proper quadriceps contusion he suffered late in Sunday’s victory over the Charlotte Hornets.

One of many arguments towards Beal is that he tends to overdribble and stifle ball motion, resulting in stagnant offense. But in three of the six video games with out him, Washington’s offense was something however spectacular. In a loss in Memphis on Nov. 6, the Wizards scored solely 97 factors and made 20 % of their 3-point tries. In a victory in Charlotte on Nov. 7, they managed 108 factors and shot 26 % from behind the arc. On Wednesday, their 105 factors got here as they hit 26 % of their 3s.

One other argument towards Beal revolves round his protection. However Kispert, who began Wednesday at Beal’s regular place of capturing guard, might hardly be thought-about a greater defender. Opposing groups like to assault Kispert relentlessly, typically forcing switches that put Kispert on quicker perimeter gamers.

“Brad is a vital man for us,” stated Deni Avdija, who scored 12 factors, collected 9 rebounds and dished out a career-high 10 assists Wednesday as he took on extra of a main ballhandler function.

“We’re undoubtedly lacking him. However I really feel like that’s when everyone wants to choose up their power a little bit bit extra. You already know, subsequent man up. Right this moment, he wasn’t obtainable, so the roles modified a little bit bit. However I feel we should always have power for each recreation, and that’s our job, and that’s what we love to do.”

(High picture of Kyle Kuzma and Dewayne Dedmon: Jasen Vinlove / USA Right this moment)