NICK RICHARDS NEWS

Stands out with two-way play Richards racked up 24 points (10-14 FG, 4-7 FT), 14 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and one steal across 33 minutes during Wednesday's 138-133 win over the Raptors.

Impact Richards has enjoyed an excellent start to the campaign and has notched three double-doubles in four games, all coming in consecutive contests. He's been a reliable two-way threat for a slumping Hornets team that has endured a 1-3 start, averaging 13.5 points, 11.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per contest in 2024-25.

8 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Double-doubles in loss Richards closed Saturday's 114-106 loss to the Heat with 12 points (5-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal over 35 minutes.

Impact Richards has recorded at least 12 points and 12 boards in back-to-back games and has six blocks through three outings. As long as Mark Williams (back) remains sidelined, Richards has a clear path to 30 minutes a game. Richards played 30-plus minutes 23 times last year and averaged 12.1 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks during those contests.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Logs double-double vs. Atlanta 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.

Impact 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.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Serviceable effort in start 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.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Efficient in starting role Richards finished with 10 points (5-6FG), five rebounds and one block in 13 minutes during Thursday's preseason loss to Indiana.

Impact Richards continues to start at the center position for the Hornets with Mark Williams unavailable due to a foot issue. There is no certainly Williams will be ready to go on Opening Night, making Williams a viable short-term streaming option, even in standard formats.

OCTOBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Hits six free throws Tuesday 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.

Impact 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 in 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.

OCTOBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for camp Richards (foot) was able to go through Tuesday's practice to open training camp.

Impact Richards missed the season finale due to right plantar fascia discomfort, but that was considered a day-to-day issue at the time. Mark Williams is currently battling a foot injury, so Richards could see a ton of reps in the preseason. In 67 appearances during the 2023-24 regular season, Richards averaged 9.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 26.3 minutes.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Nick Richards on Knicks' radar Richards, who league sources tell The Athletic is someone the Knicks have had on their radar this offseason, is a big, physical specimen wit...

SEPTEMBER 25 • HOOPSHYPE.COM

Expected to be ready for camp Hornets coach Steve Clifford anticipates that Richards (foot) will be ready for training camp, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact 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.

APRIL 15 • ROTOWIRE

Unavailable Sunday Richards (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Cleveland, Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact RIchards has officially been deemed inactive for Sunday's regular-season finale. The 2023-24 campaign marked a breakout opportunity for Richards with Mark Williams being limited to just 19 contests due to a back injury, and Richards' capable performance likely solidified a platoon role next year.

APRIL 14 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Sunday Richards (foot) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Cavaliers.

Impact 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.

APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE

Out Friday Richards (foot) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Celtics.

Impact 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.

APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Friday Richards (foot) is questionable for Friday's game against the Celtics.

Impact Richards missed three games last week due to a right foot plantar fascia issue, but he's been back in action over the last three matchups, averaging 8.3 points and 4.3 rebounds in 19.0 minutes per game. If he's unavailable Friday, his final chance to suit up during the regular season would be Sunday against Cleveland.

APRIL 11 • ROTOWIRE

Receives light minutes in return 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.

Impact 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.

APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE

Gets green light Richards (foot) is available for Sunday's game against the Thunder.

Impact Richards will shake off a questionable tag and return to action Sunday following a three-game absence due to right foot plantar fascia discomfort. Grant Williams will likely return to the bench, so Richards can start at center. Over his last 12 appearances, Richards has averaged 9.5 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals-plus-blocks in 28.7 minutes per game.

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable against OKC Richards (foot) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Thunder.

Impact 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.

APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Friday Richards (foot) is out for Friday's game versus the Magic.

Impact Richards' absence streak will extend to three games Friday after being downgraded from questionable to out with right foot plantar fascia discomfort. His next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with the Thunder.

APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable against Orlando Richards (foot) is listed as questionable for Friday's game versus the Magic.

Impact Richards is in danger of missing his third straight contest Friday due to right foot plantar fascia discomfort. If Richards is ruled out yet again, Grant Williams (ankle) will likely draw another start at center.

APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Wednesday Richards (foot) will not play Wednesday against Portland.

Impact Richards has been dealing with a right Plantar Fascia injury for several days, but he wasn't originally on the injury report. In Richards' absence, the Hornets could utilize smaller lineups which could benefit guys like Grant Williams, JT Thor and Davis Bertans.

APRIL 3 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play Wednesday Richards (foot) isn't listed on Charlotte's injury report ahead of Wednesday's game against the Trail Blazers.

Impact 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.

APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Monday Richards (foot) has been ruled out for Monday's game against Boston.

Impact 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.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Monday Richards is questionable for Monday's game against the Celtics due to plantar fascia in his right foot.

Impact Richards and Vasilije Micic (shoulder) are both questionable for the second half of Charlotte's back-to-back set after playing heavy minutes during Sunday's loss to the Clippers. If Richards is sidelined, the Hornets won't have a true center available, so Grant Williams, JT Thor, Davis Bertans and Miles Bridges could all see time as a small-ball five.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Pulls down 16 boards Saturday 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.

Impact 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 nothing 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.

MARCH 24 • ROTOWIRE

Double-double in Saturday's loss 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.

Impact 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.

MARCH 17 • ROTOWIRE

Double-double streak continues 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.

Impact Richards is averaging 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, but allowing just 105.5, which ranks in the 98th percentile.

MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE