Finally, on the LA Clippers' news was an update on Bradley Beal, provided promptly by Joey Linn of Sports Illustrated, as he recently scrimmaged and is expected to be ready to start for head coach Tyronn Lue in the season opener.
Bradley Beal scrimmaged with the Clippers today. He feels good expects to be in the lineup on opening night.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) October 6, 2025
This is phenomenal news, as Clipper fans were blindsided when media day arrived and learned that Beal was on the list of injured players. He apparently had concerns with his knee, and the whole time, everyone thought he would be ready to shine immediately in training camp.
Beal took a few days off from practicing and getting shots up when the rest of the roster had finished, and this ultimately helped him catch back up to speed. However, with his scrimmaging just beginning, a question arises about his status for this Thursday's game against the Guangzhou Loong-Lions.
Bradley Beal may be practicing, but will he play in the Clippers' preseason opener?
As the preseason begins tomorrow, and Bradley Beal just started working out with the rest of the team at one-hundred percent, the time window is too slim, with an extensive risk in place, for him to play tomorrow against the Guangzhou Loong-Lions.
This was the expectation for most when Joey Linn delivered the positive news to fans' social media feeds. But, in another post later that day, Linn shared that the veteran guard will officially be listed as absent for the first of four preseason games.
Everyone will be playing for the Clippers on Thursday, except Bradley Beal.
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) October 6, 2025
They’re bringing him along slowly.
Although Clipper Nation is just as excited to watch Beal play as Chris Paul, John Collins, and Brook Lopez, it may have to wait until Sunday against the Denver Nuggets. More information will surely be provided, but the chances of him suiting up are high, as he will have had nearly a week to ramp up and prepare.
Conversely, even in his preseason debut, if it occurs on Sunday, fans should not expect Beal to play more than 20 minutes. Even this could be a stretch, as the Clippers need him for the regular season. Thus, the only goal should be to acclimate his body to the correct pace, as he missed the postseason and has not played since April 11th.
That said, the coaching staff will likely continuously check in with Beal to see how he is feeling. Once he mentions that he feels good with fluidity in his legs and jumper, Tyronn Lue should pull him for the rest of the game in order to save his efforts for when the games actually count towards the playoffs.