NOVEMBER 6 • NBA.COM
NICK RICHARDS #4 - CENTER - CHARLOTTE HORNETS
11.0 PPG •
10.0 RPG •
1.8 APG
11.0 PPG
10.0 RPG
1.8 APG
Hornets center Nick Richards sidelined at least two weeks with rib cartilage fracture | NBA.com Nick Richards is expected to miss at least two weeks after being diagnosed with a right first rib cartilage fracture underneath his clavicle...
Hornets lose center Nick Richards for at least two weeks with rib cartilage fracture
Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards is expected to miss at least two weeks after being diagnosed with a right first rib cartilage fracture underneath his clavicleNOVEMBER 6 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Diagnosed with rib fracture The Hornets announced Tuesday that an MRI revealed Richards has a right first rib cartilage fracture underneath his clavicle.
Impact 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 (back) remains with a return timeline. In their absences, Moussa Diabate, Grant Williams, Taj Gibson and Tidjane Salaun are candidates for increased roles.
NOVEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE
Out Monday Richards (shoulder) has been ruled out for Monday's game against Minnesota.
Impact 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.
NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE
Won't play against Boston Richards (shoulder) is out for Saturday's game versus the Celtics.
Impact 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.
NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE
Downgraded to out Richards (shoulder) won't return to Friday's game against the Celtics.
Impact 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 was shut down for the second half. In his absence, Grant Williams should play the majority of center minutes, while Taj Gibson could also work his way into the rotation. Richards' next chance to suit up will come Saturday in a rematch against Boston.
NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE
Questionable to return Friday Richards is questionable to return to Friday's game against the Celtics due to right shoulder soreness.
Impact 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.
NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE
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.
OCTOBER 31 • 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.
OCTOBER 27 • 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.
OCTOBER 26 • 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
