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.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Won't play against Boston
Rotowire
Richards (shoulder) is out for Saturday's game versus the Celtics.
Richards was forced to leave Friday's contest early due to a shoulder injury and will remain sidelined Saturday. With Mark Williams (foot) also out, Moussa Diabate, Grant Williams and Taj Gibson are candidates to receive increased playing time.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Questionable to return Friday
Rotowire
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: Logs double-double vs. Atlanta
Rotowire
Richards contributed 12 points (3-6 FG, 6-8 FT), 13 rebounds, two assists and one block over 30 minutes during Friday's 125-120 loss to the Hawks.
Richards was in the starting five for a second straight game Friday as Mark Williams continues to work through a foot injury. Richards took advantage of the opportunity by registering his first double-double of the 2024-25 campaign. Richards should continue to start at center for the Hornets for as long as Williams remains sidelined.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Serviceable effort in start
Rotowire
Richards registered six points (3-4 FG, 0-2 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 24 minutes during Wednesday's 110-105 win over the Rockets.
Richards remained in the starting lineup, filling in for the oft-injured Mark Williams who is sidelined due to a foot injury. Although his upside is limited, Richards has the ability to put up serviceable production as highlighted here. As long as he is starting and playing close to 25 minutes per night, he could flirt with a double-double while adding valuable contributions on the defensive end.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Efficient in starting role
Rotowire
Richards finished with 10 points (5-6FG), five rebounds and one block in 13 minutes during Thursday's preseason loss to Indiana.
Richards continues to start at the center position for the Hornets with Mark Williams unavailable due to a foot issue. There is no certainty Williams will be ready to go on Opening Night, making Williams a viable short-term streaming option, even in standard formats.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Hits six free throws Tuesday
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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: Out Friday
Rotowire
Richards (foot) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Celtics.
Richards and Grant Williams (ankle) have both been downgraded to out, so the Hornets' frontcourt will be extremely shorthanded. Richards has one more chance to suit up this season -- Sunday in Cleveland.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Receives light minutes in return
Rotowire
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.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Questionable against OKC
Rotowire
Richards (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Thunder.
Richards is in danger of missing his fourth straight contest Sunday due to right foot plantar fascia discomfort. Grant Williams will likely draw another start if Richards is ruled out yet again.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Cleared to play Wednesday
Rotowire
Richards (foot) isn't listed on Charlotte's injury report ahead of Wednesday's game against the Trail Blazers.
Richards was sidelined for Monday's loss to Boston, which was the second night of back-to-back set, but he'll return to action Wednesday. Over his last 12 appearances, the big man has averaged 9.5 points, 9.4 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 28.7 minutes per game.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Won't play Monday
Rotowire
Richards (foot) has been ruled out for Monday's game against Boston.
Richards was questionable for Monday's matchup, and he'll be unavailable in the second half of a back-to-back set due to plantar fascia in his right foot. Grant Williams and Aleksej Pokusevski are candidates to see increased playing time, while Richards' next chance to suit up will be Wednesday against the Trail Blazers.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Pulls down 16 boards Saturday
Rotowire
Richards ended Saturday's 132-91 loss to the Hawks with 12 points (5-7 FG, 2-2 FT), 16 rebounds and one assist over 31 minutes.
Richards showed an efficient touch near the rim and scored in double digits for the fifth time across his last eight games, a span in which he's also grabbed 10 or more rebounds six times. The Hornets have little to play for since they're now officially eliminated from the playoffs, but Richards has been taking advantage of a bigger-than-expected role this season, as Mark Williams (back) has missed most of the campaign. Richards should continue to anchor down low when the Hornets take on the Cavaliers on Monday.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Double-double in Saturday's loss
Rotowire
Richards closed with 11 points (4-5 FG, 3-3 FT), 11 rebounds, one block and one steal in 30 minutes during Saturday's 109-98 loss to the 76ers.
It was the fourth-year center's 17th double-double of the season as he continues to build on a career high in the category. Richards has pulled down more than 10 boards in five of the last six games, averaging 9.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 0.8 blocks over that stretch while shooting 64.9 percent from the floor.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Double-double streak continues
Rotowire
Richards finished with 10 points (5-7 FG, 0-2 FT), 13 rebounds and two assists over 36 minutes during Monday's 114-97 loss to the Pistons.
Richards has averaged 11.7 points and 12.3 rebounds in 32.3 minutes across his last three contests. Notably, lineups featuring he and new addition Grant Williams have been abysmal offensively but stout defensively, scoring a league-worst 101.0 points per 100 possessions while allowing just 105.5, which ranks in the 98th percentile.
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Hornets' Nick Richards: Strong double-double in win
Rotowire
Richards supplied 15 points (6-10 FG, 3-3 FT), 11 rebounds, one block and one steal in 31 minutes during Saturday's 110-99 victory over the Nets.
Richards tallied his second straight double-double, continuing to put up standard-league value on most nights. with Mark Williams (back) likely done for the season, Richards has made the most of his opportunities thus far. He is the 80th-ranked player over the past two weeks, averaging 11.7 points and 8.1 rebounds to go with 2.0 combined steals and blocks. He should be rostered in all formats.
