Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal has had a highly productive and historic start to this year’s NBA season. So far, Beal has played in 17 games for Washington and has scored a minimum of 25 points in each one. On Wednesday, Beal surpassed Michael Jordan for the record of most consecutive 25-plus point games to start a season since 1988-1989.
Beal is leading the entire NBA in scoring on the season with an average of 35 points per game. In his latest brilliant performance, he poured in 32 points as the Wizards overcame the Miami Heat 103-100, despite Russell Westbrook being rested on the second half of a back-to-back.
Unfortunately for Beal, his huge offensive output has not led to a lot of victories for Washington, as they sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 5-13 record. Last week, Beal became the first player in the history of the league to lose 10 consecutive games in which he scored 40 points.
On surpassing legend Michael Jordan’s record, Beal said, “To pass him is always a great feeling, it’s something you always put in your accolades, but at the same time it felt even better getting it in a win.”
“It was a milestone in a lot of fashions tonight and so I was happy we got the dub overall but to pass Michael means a lot.”
The all-time record is held by Wilt Chamberlain, who scored a minimum of 25 points in all 80 games of the 1961-62 regular season.
Wizards coach Scott Brooks said,” When I think of Brad two things come to mind: winner and toughness. A lot of times just because a guy has a high scoring average they don’t want to say that he’s an all-round player, that he’s tough, but he’s a winning basketball player and we’re not winning enough right now.”