Suns’ Bradley Beal to miss at least 3 weeks with back injury

Bradley Beal will miss at least the next three weeks as a lower back strain continues to hamper the start of his tenure with the Phoenix Suns.

In a statement, the Suns said the shooter would be re-evaluated in three weeks.

Beal missed the team’s first seven games with a lower back strain, then returned Nov. 8 for the first of three straight games before missing Wednesday’s win over Minnesota.

A three-time All-Star, Beal is averaging 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists in three games, all starts.

Acquired from the Washington Wizards in an offseason trade, Beal was expected to form a powerful big three in Phoenix, but injuries prevented that from happening.

Devin Booker also only played in three of the Suns’ 11 games due to ankle and calf injuries, but did not appear in a regular season game with Beal. Kevin Durant has been the team’s only consistent superstar, as the 35-year-old has yet to miss a single game.

Phoenix (5-6) will play the first of two straight games against Utah (4-7) on Friday night.