Richards accumulated 19 points (7-9 FG, 5-6 FT), five rebounds, one block and one steal in 15 minutes off the bench during Monday's 121-108 loss to Philadelphia.
It was an incredibly efficient performance from Richards, who out-produced starting center Mark Williams (seven points, three boards, three assists and three blocks) in two fewer minutes of court time. Richards has bounced in and out of the starting five since returning from a rib fracture in late November, averaging 11.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 blocks in 22.5 minutes a contest over his last six appearances (three starts), but with Moussa Diabate also in the mix at center for the Hornets, it's tough to rely on any of them from a fantasy perspective.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Heading back to bench Friday
Rotowire
Richards is not in the starting unit for Friday's game against the Bulls.
Richards started in the 113-109 win over the Pacers on Sunday and finished with nine points and 14 rebounds across 25 minutes. However, expect him to see a considerable reduction in his playing time since Mark Williams got the start at center for this matchup. Richards is averaging 11.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game this season, but those numbers are likely to regress if he comes off the bench.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Posts strong effort on boards
Rotowire
Richards closed Sunday's 113-109 win over the Pacers with nine points (3-5 FG, 3-4 FT), 14 rebounds and one assist over 25 minutes.
Richards grabbed a team-high 14 rebounds and fell one point shy of his second double-double of the month. He's looked sharp for the most part since returning from a right ankle sprain, scoring in double figures in three of four appearances while also totaling five blocks and two steals over this brief stretch.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Good to go Sunday
Rotowire
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: Iffy for Sunday
Rotowire
Richards (ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Pacers.
Richards took a seat for the first half of Charlotte's back-to-back set, allowing Taj Gibson to draw a start as Mark Williams continues to operate off the bench since making his season debut. Over his last three appearances, Richards has averaged 13.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 blocks in 26.3 minutes per game.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Won't go Saturday
Rotowire
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: Back in starting five Tuesday
Rotowire
Richards will enter the starting lineup in Tuesday's game against the 76ers, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
After coming off the bench in Saturday's loss to Atlanta during his return from a 14-game absence due to a right rib fracture, Richards will return to the starting five Tuesday. The big man will likely split minutes with Moussa Diabate and Mark Williams, who will remain limited off the bench in his return from a foot injury. During his return Saturday, Richards posted 12 points (3-5 FG, 6-7 FT), six rebounds, three blocks, one assist and one steal across 25 minutes.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Produces off bench in return
Rotowire
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: Available to play Saturday
Rotowire
Richards (ribs) is available for Saturday's game against the Hawks, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Richards missed the first leg of the back-to-back set, a 99-98 loss to the Knicks, but the big man will return here to add some much-needed depth in the frontcourt. Richards will play for the first time since Nov. 1, meaning he'll return from a 14-game absence.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Will remain out Friday
Rotowire
Richards (ribs) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Knicks.
Richards and Mark Williams (foot) both remain out, but they appear to be nearing a return to game action after recently going through a workout with the Hornets' G League affiliate, the Greensboro Swarm. Richards' next chance to suit up will come Saturday versus the Hawks, but he can be considered doubtful for that contest. With all the injuries to Charlotte's frontcourt, Taj Gibson and Tidjane Salaun have taken on leading roles.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Another absence coming
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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: Still out Monday
Rotowire
Richards (ribs) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Magic.
Richards will miss a 12th straight game. He recently returned to on-court activities, but it's unclear when he'll be cleared for game action. Mark Williams (foot) also remains out and Grant Williams (knee) is out for the season, so Moussa Diabate and Tidjane Salaun should see increased run in the frontcourt moving forward.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Out vs. Milwaukee
Rotowire
Richards (ribs) is out for Saturday's game against the Bucks.
Richards returned to practice Thursday, but he's still not ready to play and won't suit up to face the Bucks. This means the Hornets will be extremely shorthanded in the frontcourt, as they'll also be without Mark Williams (foot) and Miles Bridges (knee). Richards' next chance to play will come against the Magic on Monday.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Returns to practice
Rotowire
The Hornets announced Thursday that Richards (ribs) has returned to team and group activities but doesn't have a specific timetable for a return, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.
Despite returning to practice, Richards is set to miss his 10th straight contest Thursday due to a right first rib cartilage fracture. However, it appears that Richards is gearing up for a return to action.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Diagnosed with rib fracture
Rotowire
The Hornets announced Tuesday that an MRI revealed Richards has a right first rib cartilage fracture underneath his clavicle.
The injury was initially reported as a shoulder injury, and Richards has already missed two games since sustaining the injury during last Friday's loss to the Celtics. The backup big man is now looking at a long-term absence, and starting center Mark Williams (foot) remains without a return timeline. In their absences, Moussa Diabate, Grant Williams, Taj Gibson and Tidjane Salaun are candidates for increased roles.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Out Monday
Rotowire
Richards (shoulder) has been ruled out for Monday's game against Minnesota.
Richards is dealing with right shoulder soreness and will miss his second consecutive game Monday. The 26-year-old has been a mainstay in the starting lineup with Mark Williams (foot) out. However, with both Richards and Williams absent Monday, Grant Williams will likely step into the starting five at center once again.
