Bradley Beal made the most of an unfamiliar role Monday, scoring 25 points in his first game off the bench in nine years. Beal scored 20 points in the second half as Phoenix overcame an early 12-point deficit to snap a four-game losing streak with a 109-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

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.

PHILADELPHIA — Bradley Beal did not see the decision coming. He did not think that he would be moved out of the starting lineup, a position he had occupied for all 76 games he’d played with the Suns. It had been so long since he came off the bench — March 4, 2016, if you’re counting — that he did not have an indication a change was on the horizon.