After losing seven of their last eight games, Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer made a tough decision on Monday night—taking guard Bradley Beal out of the starting lineup and playing him off the bench. It was the first time since 2015-16 that the 31-year-old didn't start in an NBA game.

It’s understandable that Beal was caught off-guard. He has been advertised as one leg of this big three in Phoenix since the moment he waived his no-trade clause about a year and a half ago to approve a trade out of Washington.

The Suns enter the week at just 15-18 overall, currently sitting at the No. 12 seed in the Western Conference. Phoenix has already announced two big changes: Bradley Beal and Jusu