Tyus Jones was initially brought to the Suns with the expectation of being a starter to help the team contend for a championship, but his recent benching underscores the team's struggles.

Bradley Beal has made his return to the starting lineup for the Phoenix Suns, taking the place of Tyus Jones, during a challenging period where the team has lost seven of its last eight games.

This marks Beal's first start since early January, while Jones had been a consistent starter for all 54 games this season.

As of their recent game against the Chicago Bulls, the Suns sit in 11th place in the Western Conference with a record of 26-29, prompting doubts about their championship aspirations.

The decision to bench Jones instead of Royce O'Neale reflects a strategy to enhance offensive capabilities with Beal's inclusion while maintaining defensive strength.

Suns coach Mike Budenholzer has indicated that the team is exploring various lineup combinations, highlighting the ability of both Beal and Devin Booker to manage point guard duties.

In the revamped starting lineup alongside Beal, the Suns featured Devin Booker, Royce O'Neale, Kevin Durant, and Nick Richards, adopting a non-traditional point guard approach reminiscent of last season's strategy under coach Frank Vogel.