Hornets starting center Nick Richards will be sidelined for multiple weeks due to a right first rib cartilage fracture, the team announced in a press release.
An MRI revealed the extent of the injury. He suffered it during an on-court collision in the first half against the Celtics on Friday.
He will be evaluated on an every other week basis to monitor progress toward a return to basketball activities. The team will provide its next update on his status following the team’s November 17 road trip.
Richards was averaging career-highs in points (11.0), rebounds (10.0) and blocks (2.4) through five starts this season. He appeared in 67 games, including 51 starts, last season despite battling ankle and foot injuries. He averaged 9.7 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks.
Richards in the second year of a three-year, $15MM contract.
The injury severely depletes Charlotte up front. There’s still no timetable for center Mark Williams, who is recovering from a strained tendon in his left foot.
Moussa Diabate‘s role will expand and the Hornets will also be forced to used smaller lineups with forwards Grant Williams and Taj Gibson manning the middle. Diabate, a 2022 second-round pick, is on a two-way contract.
Charlotte is off to a 2-5 start and will carry a three-game losing streak into its home game against Detroit on Wednesday.
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