Debuting for the first time as a member of the Phoenix Suns, center Nick Richards couldn’t have had a better start with his new team and showed how the trade could help the Suns make a push up the standings.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In a tight 125-121 win over the Detroit Pistons Saturday afternoon, the 7-foot center came off the bench and shined. Being a dangerous threat in the paint, Richards racked up 21 points and 11 assists for a double-double.
Playing the most minutes (29) at center out of him, Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro, Richards was a +22 on the floor, had a steal, shot 7-for-8 (87.5%) from the field and 7-for-9 (77.8%) from the free-throw line. He officially made his debut at the 7:45 mark of the first quarter.
With his double-double, Richards became the first player in Suns history to put up 20-plus points and 10-plus rebounds off the bench in their debut game for the franchise.
NICK RICHARDS.
The first player in Suns history with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds off the bench in team debut! pic.twitter.com/dGjjjYJduN
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) January 18, 2025
Trading three second-round picks and Josh Okogie to the Charlotte Hornets for the Bahamian on Wednesday, Phoenix is already reaping the rewards of what could potentially turn around their season: dependable center play.
Averaging 8.9 points and 7.5 rebounds this season, he has been quietly underrated over the past three seasons in an expanded role. After starting 51 of 67 games last year for the Hornets, he is expected to become the starting center for Phoenix soon.
While Plumlee and Ighodaro have been serviceable, the Suns have been trying to figure out who will take over the starting role at the position. Since Jusuf Nurkić has been inconsistent and moved to the bench, Phoenix identified a need for a center with size and a knack for rebounding in Richards.
It is just one game and there is still half of the season remaining, but seeing Richards blossom like what he did against the Pistons is a promising start of what could be to come.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, ASU Athletics and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
