INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Los Angeles Clippers guard Bradley Beal will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 NBA season after suffering a fracture in his left hip that will require surgery, the team announced Wednesday.
Just in: Los Angeles Clippers guard Bradley Beal has a fracture in his hip and will undergo season-ending surgery, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/XrwyOTUdOo
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 12, 2025
Beal, 32, had appeared in just six games this season, averaging 8.2 points and 1.7 assists — both career lows — before the injury ended his first year with the Clippers. The three-time All-Star joined Los Angeles on a two-year, $11 million deal in July after a buyout from the Phoenix Suns, where injuries also limited his availability over the past two seasons.
Adding another layer to this unfortunate situation, Beal has a $5.62 million player option for the 2026-27 season.
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said earlier in the week that Beal was being evaluated for hip soreness before further testing revealed the fracture. After consulting with specialists, Beal and the team’s medical staff agreed that season-ending surgery was the best option to ensure a full recovery. His recovery timeline is expected to be six to nine months, which could allow him to return by the start of the 2026-27 season.
The injury is another setback in what has been a frustrating stretch for Beal, who has not played more than 60 games in a season since 2020-21. Once one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers, Beal’s career has been increasingly defined by his struggles to stay healthy.
The Clippers now face another challenge in an already injury-plagued season. With Kawhi Leonard and other key players also dealing with physical setbacks, Los Angeles will need to rely more heavily on its young guards and depth pieces to stay competitive in the Western Conference.
By this season’s end, Bradley Beal will have played in just 166 of a possible 332 games since signing a 5-year, $251 million super max contract with the Wizards in July 2022. Wild. https://t.co/Z9zHffFh14
— Greg Finberg (@GregFinberg) November 12, 2025
John Collins has already been inserted into the starting lineup and is averaging 12.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, while Kris Dunn and second-year guard Cam Christie are expected to see increased opportunities.
Lue praised Christie's defensive energy and effort in recent games, and the young guard will now have a chance to prove he belongs in the rotation on a veteran-laden roster.
In his 14-year career, Beal has averaged 21.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists over 807 games with Washington, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. His absence leaves a significant void for the Clippers, who had hoped his shooting and veteran leadership would help propel them deeper into the postseason.
Beal’s focus will now turn toward rehabilitation and preparing for next season, as the Clippers regroup and adjust to life without their marquee offseason addition.
While it's far too early to speculate on his decision with the player option, the timing of his recovery will be crucial as he weighs his options next summer, and for a Clippers team that is looking to go after bigger free agents, Beal could have played his last minutes as a Clipper.