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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Status
ACTIVELatest Nick Richards news
-
2024-25 Stats
GPMINPTSREBASTTOPF2421.49.27.81.31.62.42024-25 Rebounding
REBDREBOREB7.85.42.52024-25 Defensive
BLKSTL1.20.32024-25 Shooting
FG%2P%3P%FT%TS%58.5%58.9%0.0%69.4%63.5%2024-25 Advanced
+/-A/TOTD3DD2-640.806
Team
Phoenix Suns
Birthdate
11/29/1997 (27)
Status
ACT
HT/WT
7'0", 245 lbs
Draft Info
2020: Rd 2; Pk 42 (NOP)
Birthplace
Kingston,, JAM
Position
C
College
Kentucky
Experience
4 seasons
Career History
Phoenix Suns
2024-Present
(1 season)
Charlotte Hornets
2020-2024
(5 seasons)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Richards isn't in the starting five for Saturday's game versus the Pistons. Richards will come off the bench in his Phoenix debut as the backup center to Mason Plumlee. However, it wouldn't be surprising for Richards to fight for a starting job moving forward as he acclimates to his new team.
Richards (recently traded) is not listed on the injury report for Saturday's game against the Pistons. It sets the stage for Richards to make his Suns debut after being traded by the Hornets on Wednesday. Although Phoenix could be preparing to have Richards start once he gets acclimated to the system, it's unclear what role he'll play immediately with his new team. In any event, the 27-year-old big man has averaged 11.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.7 blocks in 27.2 minutes over nine games as a starter this season, and his presence likely spells bad news for the playing time of veteran Mason Plumlee.
Richards (recently traded) has yet to join his teammates for Thursday's game versus the Wizards but will most likely be with them for Saturday's contest against the Pistons, Duane Rankin of The Arizona Republic reports. Richards was traded from the Hornets to the Suns on Wednesday but will have to wait until at least Saturday to make his Phoenix debut. Jusuf Nurkic is currently dealing with an illness, but Richards will likely start at center for Phoenix regardless, as Nurkic had come off the bench in his previous two appearances behind Mason Plumlee.
The Hornets traded Richards and a second-round pick to the Suns on Wednesday in exchange for Josh Okogie and three second-round picks, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. With Mark Williams healthy and playing well, Richards had been relegated to a backup role over the last month for Charlotte, but he'll now likely get an opportunity to start in Phoenix. Jusuf Nurkic (illness) has fallen out of favor, resulting in Mason Plumlee starting nine straight games. Richards has a higher upside than that pair on both ends of the floor. Richards has played at least 24 minutes 10 times this season, averaging 12.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.9 blocks in 28.1 minutes per game while shooting 62.9 percent from the field and 71.4 percent from the free-throw line during those contests. Richards' first chance to make his Suns debut will come in Washington on Thursday.
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.