Suns' Nick Richards: Season-high 15 rebounds in win
Rotowire
Richards ended with eight points (3-4 FG, 2-2 FT) and 15 rebounds across 22 minutes during Wednesday's 108-84 victory over the Nets.
Richards had one of his best games with the Suns on Wednesday since being traded to Phoenix. The 27-year-old big man made a big impact on the glass with a season-high 15 rebounds, which helped his new squad secure the blowout win against Brooklyn.
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Suns' Nick Richards: Struggles in start
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Richards finished Monday's 118-92 loss to Cleveland with four points (2-4 FG), four rebounds, one assist and two blocks across 22 minutes.
After erupting in his debut against the Pistons on Saturday with 21 points (7-8 FG, 7-9 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and one steal over 29 minutes, Richards was inserted into the starting lineup for Monday. He wasn't able to replicate his success, however, as Cleveland's frontcourt got the best of him. Despite this dud, Richards is likely to remain with the starters for the foreseeable future.
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Suns' Nick Richards: Moves into starting five
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Richards will start Monday's game against the Cavaliers.
The Suns won't waste any more time after Richards erupted for 21 points (7-8 FG, 7-9 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and one steal over 29 minutes in his debut against the Pistons on Saturday. With Richards likely to remain in the starting lineup going forward, Mason Plumlee will retreat to the second unit.
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Suns' Nick Richards: Big double-double in team debut
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Richards totaled 21 points (7-8 FG, 7-9 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and one steal over 29 minutes off the bench during Saturday's 125-121 win over the Pistons.
While he didn't get the start in his Suns debut, Richards saw a starter's workload, as Mason Plumlee was on the court for only 13 minutes. Richards also made exactly the kind of impact Phoenix was hoping for when it acquired him from Charlotte, as the 27-year-old center recorded his sixth double-double of the season. The rest of the Suns' second unit managed just 13 points total and doesn't have a go-to scoring option, so Richards should be productive even if he stays on the bench, but a shift to the starting five seems inevitable once he gets more familiar with his new surroundings.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Shines off bench with double-double
Rotowire
Richards produced 15 points (4-6 FG, 7-8 FT), 12 rebounds and three blocks over 25 minutes during Tuesday's 115-104 win over Phoenix.
Richards made his mark off the bench in Tuesday's winning effort, leading all Hornets players in rebounds while concluding as one of three players with 15 or more points in a double-double showing. Richards, who also hauled in a team-leading trio of blocks, has recorded a double-double in five contests this season.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Back in starting lineup Friday
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Richards is in the Hornets' starting lineup against the 76ers on Friday.
After coming off the bench in the Hornets' last three games, Richards will move into the starting lineup Friday due to Mark Williams being sidelined with a left foot injury. Across eight starts this season, Richards has averaged 11.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 blocks over 26.9 minutes per game.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Good to go Sunday
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Richards (ankle) is listed as available for Sunday's game against the Pacers.
Richards was held out of the first leg of the club's back-to-back set during Saturday's loss to the Cavaliers due to a right ankle sprain. However, the big man will return to the starting lineup Sunday, while Mark Williams (foot) and Moussa Diabate (illness) both sidelined. Over his last three outings, Richards has averaged 13.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 blocks across 26.3 minutes per game.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Won't go Saturday
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Richards (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Cavaliers.
Richards suffered a right ankle sprain during Thursday's matchup with the Knicks, and it'll cost him at least one game. Moussa Diabate (illness) has also been downgraded to out, so it'll be Mark Williams and Taj Gibson who eat up minutes at center Saturday afternoon.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Dealing with right ankle sprain
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Richards (ankle) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Cavaliers, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Richards rolled his ankle when he stepped on Cody Martin's foot in the third quarter of Thursday night's game against the Knicks, though Richards was able to stay in the game. If Richards is unable to play Saturday, then Moussa Diabate would be in line to see more minutes off the bench as the backup center behind Mark Williams.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Impresses in return as starter
Rotowire
Richards chipped in 22 points (6-9 FG, 10-13 FT), 14 rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 30 minutes during Tuesday's 110-104 loss to the 76ers.
Richards made his return to the starting lineup Tuesday after coming off the bench in Charlotte's previous game. He led all players rebounds while ending second on the team in scoring in a double-double performance. Richards matched his season high in rebounds while posting his second outing with at least 20 points. Richards has now recorded a double-double in four of his seven appearances this season.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Produces off bench in return
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Richards (rib) supplied 12 points (3-5 FG, 6-7 FT), six rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal across 25 minutes in Saturday's 107-104 loss to the Hawks.
Though he ended up coming off the bench in his return from a 14-game absence due to a right rib fracture, Richards saw more playing time than starting center Moussa Diabate (22 minutes). The Hornets will likely prioritize Richards ahead of Diabate and could even move Richards back into the starting lineup beginning with Tuesday's game against the 76ers, but Mark Williams (foot) may not be far behind Richards in returning from a multi-week absence. Once Williams is back to full health, Richards might have a tough time consistently finding anything more than a 20-to-25-minute role.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Another absence coming
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Richards (ribs) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Heat.
Richards will miss his 13th straight contest Wednesday due to a right rib fracture. However, Richards recently went through practice in the G League, and his next chance to suit up is Friday's matchup with the Knicks.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Recalled to Charlotte
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Charlotte recalled Richards (ribs) from the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.
Richards has missed the past 12 games for Charlotte, but after getting in a practice with the Swarm, it's likely that he's getting closer to a full return to action. Similar to Mark Williams (foot), it remains unclear if Richards will be able to play Wednesday against the Heat.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Practicing in G League
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Charlotte assigned Richards (ribs) to the G League's Greensboro Swarm on Monday.
Richards will miss his 12th game in a row when Charlotte plays the Magic on Monday, but he and fellow center Mark Williams (foot) will both link up with the Swarm to take part in practice. Expect Richards to be immediately recalled after participating in practice, though it's unclear if he'll be ready to return to action for Charlotte's second game of the week Wednesday versus the Heat.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Questionable to return Friday
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Richards is questionable to return to Friday's game against the Celtics due to right shoulder soreness.
Richards posted one point (0-2 FG, 1-2 FT), three rebounds, an assist and two blocks in 16 minutes during the first half, but Grant Williams started the second half in Richards' absence. With Mark Williams (back) still out, Williams will likely play the bulk of his minutes at center, while Taj Gibson could also join the rotation.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Hits six free throws Tuesday
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Richards finished Tuesday's 111-105 preseason loss to the Knicks with eight points (1-1 FG, 6-6 FT), three rebounds, one block and one steal across 18 minutes.
Richards has started in each of the Hornets' four preseason games as Mark Williams continues to work through a foot injury. If Williams is unable to suit up for Opening Night, Richards should serve as Charlotte's starting center until the former returns. Richards started 51 of 67 regular-season games for the Hornets last year and averaged 9.7 points on 69.1 percent shooting and 8.0 rebounds across 26.3 minutes per game.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Expected to be ready for camp
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Coach Steve Clifford said Monday that he anticipates Richards (foot) will be ready for training camp, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Richards missed the season finale due to right plantar fascia discomfort, but the center is considered day-to-day. The Hornets are expected to have a healthy Mark Williams back in the lineup to open the 2024-25 season, but Richards will be penciled in as the primary backup. Richards made 67 appearances this season with averages of 9.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 26.3 minutes.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Won't play Sunday
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Richards (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Cleveland, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Richards will end up missing the season finale due to right plantar fascia discomfort. With Mark Williams limited to just 19 appearances in 2023-24 due to a back injury, Richards ended up making 51 starts on the campaign. Though Richards averaged 9.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 26.3 minutes over 67 total appearances while shooting 69.1 percent from the field, he's expected to return to a bench role in 2024-25 if Williams enjoys better health.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Questionable for Sunday
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Richards (foot) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Cavaliers.
Richards has missed four of the Hornets' last seven games due to a nagging right foot plantar fascia issue, and it's unclear whether he'll suit up for the season finale after being ruled out Friday. If he's out, the Hornets would be extremely shorthanded in the frontcourt, as Grant Williams (ankle) is also questionable while Mark Williams (back) is out.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Receives light minutes in return
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Richards (foot) tallied 10 points (4-6 FG, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one steal in 18 minutes Sunday in the Hornets' 121-118 loss to the Thunder.
Making his return from a three-game absence due to right foot plantar fascia discomfort, Richards came off the bench in a game for the first time since Dec. 8 while Grant Williams stuck in the starting five as a small-ball center. Considering how well Williams fared (19 points, five assists, three rebounds, two steals and one block in 38 minutes) along with the fact that the Hornets are incentivized to ease Richards back in from the injury, it wouldn't be surprising if the 26-year-old continued to come off the bench during the final week of the season and saw his playing time managed to some degree.
