Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (rib) has been ruled out ahead of Wednesday's game against the Detroit Pistons. This comes as little surprise after Richards suffered a rib cartilage fracture during last Friday's game against the Boston Celtics. The team plans to hold out Richards until after the upcoming road trip. That means, Richards won't be re-evaluated until November 18 at the earliest. Grant Williams and Taj Gibson figure to see increased playing time. Williams finished with five points, three rebounds, and two steals across 21 minutes on Monday. Gibson started that game, but didn't offer much more value during his 16 minutes of playing time. Fantasy managers are probably only going to get low-end value out of these two.
Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards has reportedly been on the New York Knicks' radar this offseason. The Knicks lack frontcourt options and have been linked with multiple big men. Richards is among them, and he could come in on a team-friendly contract, as the seven-foot Jamaican is only due to be paid $5 million in each of the next two seasons. Richards, a former second-round pick, had a solid campaign with the Hornets in 2023-24, averaging 9.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 26.3 minutes. He boosted his numbers to 10.1 points, 8.8 boards, and 1.2 swats as a starter.
Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (foot) won't play on Friday against the Celtics. The 26-year-old hasn't been as productive as he was a few months ago, so his absence isn't much of a blow for fantasy managers. However, with Richards and Grant Williams (ankle) both ruled out, Aleksej Pokusevski should draw serious value consideration for any DFS contest.
Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (foot) isn't ready to return to the lineup on Friday against Orlando. The team has downgraded Richards from questionable to out, resulting in his third consecutive absence. Grant Williams has moved to the starting unit as Richards' replacement. The 25-year-old has averaged 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in the role. He's likely to start again on Friday, with Charlotte short of options at the center position.
Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (foot) is questionable for Friday's matchup with the Orlando Magic. The 26-year-old has been the Hornets' starting center since Mark Williams (back) went down a few months ago. He's played well with the first five, averaging 10.1 points, 8.8 boards, and 1.2 blocks in 51 starts. Richards missed the last two games because of a foot injury, so if he remains out, Grant Williams (ankle) could remain in the middle. But if he can't suit up, Aleksej Pokusevski, Davis Bertans, or JT Thor could see more work. However, it's hard to tell which player will see the most action.
Grant Williams To Remain In Starting Unit With Nick Richards Out
Charlotte Hornets forward/center Grant Williams (ankle) will make a second consecutive start on Wednesday against Portland. He has shaken off a questionable tag ahead of the contest. Williams has taken over as the starting center following Nick Richards' (foot) exit from the lineup. Richards wasn't on the initial injury report but has now been ruled out for the game. Williams put up 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds in his previous start against Boston. He should have another good game against a weak Trail Blazers squad.
Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (foot) is on track to return to action Wednesday against Portland. He missed the last game against Boston with a foot problem but isn't on the injury report on Wednesday. Grant Williams (ankle) started in Richards' place against his former team on Monday. Richards will be licking his lips ahead of Wednesday's action, as the Trail Blazers have been horrible against opposing centers defensively. Opposing fives are shooting 61.4 percent from the field against them, which is the highest number in the league, and Portland also coughs up the sixth-most rebounds to centers.
Nick Richards Out On Monday, Grant Williams Starting
Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (foot) has been downgraded from questionable to out for Monday's matchup against Boston. He'll be sidelined with right plantar fascia as Charlotte finishes off a back-to-back. Grant Williams will be brought into the starting unit as Richards' replacement. This will be a tough matchup for Williams against his former team, but he'll no doubt be eager to impress. The 25-year-old has averaged 13.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in four previous starts with the Hornets.
Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (foot) is questionable for Monday's meeting with the Boston Celtics. Dealing with right plantar fascia on the second leg of Charlotte's back-to-back, Richards is at risk of sitting out his first game since March 3 after playing 25 minutes in Sunday's home loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Celtics are gargantuan 17.5-point favorites on Monday and are allowing the fourth-fewest FanDuel to enemy centers, so the 26-year-old big man isn't going to be an exciting play if he suits up. Grant Williams may be needed to slide in at the five as a low-end fantasy streamer in a revenge game against Boston, averaging 14.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 threes in 28.5 minutes over his latest 10 games (one start).
Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (foot) has been upgraded from questionable to available for Tuesday's meeting with Orlando. He makes a quick return to the lineup after missing one game with right plantar fascia discomfort. Richards' return is set to bump Grant Williams back to the bench, although the tough forward could still be useful for fantasy managers, as he's done well in Charlotte as a member of the second unit. Richards averages 10.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks as a starter. He could be in for another productive evening on Tuesday, as centers are shooting 58.9 percent against the Magic.
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