PHOENIX – The highly anticipated regular season debut of the newly formed big-three in Phoenix will have to wait at least three more weeks, if not longer.

The Phoenix Suns made the announcement that a decision to shut Bradley Beal down was made, giving a brief update in a press release:

“The Phoenix Suns today announced that guard Bradley Beal will be out and re-evaluated in three weeks as he continues to rehab a low back strain. This timeline was determined following further evaluation and consultation on his injury.”

This is a disappointing, yet expected way to handle the lingering back ailment that Beal has dealt with for upwards of a month.

Back injuries are difficult to navigate, and the Suns are making the prudent decision to tread this situation carefully for the sake of Beal’s long-term outlook and health.

In the meantime, Kevin Durant and the recently-returned Devin Booker will look to hold up their end of the bargain surrounded by a stout supporting cast.

The re-evalution period will come in three weeks, and if everything is clear at that point, the ramp-up period could take a week or longer.

A realistic return date for Beal could potentially be the Christmas Day matchup against possibly the Suns’ biggest rival in the Dallas Mavericks.

Beal is averaging 17.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 3.9 APG in three contests so far this season.