Nick Richards, the starting center for the Charlotte Hornets, who averaged a double-double this season, is now out indefinitely due to a hip tear, announced the team.
OFFICIAL: MRI results on center Nick Richards revealed a right first rib cartilage fracture below his collarbone. He suffered the injury in an on-court collision against Boston on November 1.
– Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) November 5, 2024
He will be re-evaluated every two weeks as he works towards a return.
This leaves Charlotte very thin up front as their other center, Mark Williams, remains out with a strained tendon in his left foot. That means expect a lot of Grant Williams at center, with Moussa Diabate getting a bigger role, and likely some Taj Gibson getting some time there.
Richards, a fifth-year player from Kentucky, averaged 11 points, 10 rebounds and 2.4 blocks — all career highs — starting each of the Hornets’ five games this season.
Charlotte is 2-5 to start the season with a respectable offense led by LaMelo Ball, but the squad has struggled to get stops, and that will be worse without the rim protection that Richards provides.
