Phoenix Suns talisman Bradley Beal top-scored with 25 points while coming off the bench for the first time in nine years. The Suns ended their four-match losing streak with a 109-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.
Sun’s head coach Mike Budenholzer decided to bench Beal and it triggered rumors of trade talk. However, Beal said there hasn’t been any trade talks with the franchise.
Beal scored 20 points in the second half as the Suns overcame a 12-point deficit against the 76ers.
“If so, I need to be addressed because I hold the cards,” he told reporters after Monday’s game. “Until I’m addressed and somebody says something different, then I’ll be a Sun.”
Beal accepted that Budenholzer’s decision of benching him for the team combination but at the same time said he considers himself a starter in the NBA.
“Coach made his decision. Live with it,” he told the AZCentral.com. “It’s kind of twofold. I’m a starter in the league. I firmly believe that. No disrespect to anybody, but I’m a starter. … Coach made a decision. I’m not going to sit there and argue with him. I’m not going to sit here and be a distraction.”
Budenholzer said he wanted to make a change and figure out the best combination for the team.
“I feel like we needed to make a change,” Budenholzer said. “Throughout a 48-minute game, you got to figure out your best combinations, your best ways to try to have success. They’re two important players to us, two very good players for us. We just felt like we needed to make a change.
“They’re pros. I talked to each of them individually. They want what’s best for the team. I have a lot of respect for them and an appreciation for them.”
The head coach showered praise on Beal for playing an instrumental role in a much-needed win for the team.
“What he was able to do tonight really put us in a great spot, made a bunch of plays for himself, bunch of plays for his teammates,” Budenholzer said of Beal. “He’s been a pro. He was there for us tonight in a big way.”
The Phoenix Suns will next take on the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday.
