BBNBA: Nick Richards scores double figures in first game back from rib injury

5th year Nick Richards started this NBA season on a tear, averaging 11 points and 10 rebounds in his first five games to go along with 2.5 blocks per game. All of those are career highs. Unfortunately, a rib injury kept the former Kentucky big man sidelined for the last 14 games, but on Saturday, Richards returned to the Hornets’ lineup and picked up right where he left off.

Against the Hawks, Richards scored 12 points, pulled down six boards, and rejected three shots in his 25 minutes on the court. There may have been a little rust as he did foul out late in the 4th quarter.

After the game, Richards talked plainly about his return to action: “It’s been boring sitting on the bench for a whole month. [I had a] slow start at the beginning but as the game went on I started to get my rhythm back, get my wind back.”

It’s good to see that he isn’t bored anymore.

Richards’ return came one day after his 27th birthday, which served as a pretty solid belated gift. The Hornets lost the game and will likely once again find themselves in the lottery this season, but Nick Richards is one of the easiest former ‘Cats to cheer for in the NBA, so it is good to see him back.

Devin Booker and Tyrese Maxey each lead their teams to victories

Two certified stars, Devin Booker and Tyrese Maxey, led their teams in scoring and to wins on Saturday. Maxey had a BBNBA-high 28 points, six assists, and two steals in the 76ers’ rout over the Pistons. He knocked down five 3s along the way.

Joel Embiid and Paul George are still out for Philly, but Maxey is doing what he can to will his team to every victory he can.

Phoenix Suns fans are glad to have Kevin Durant back, but so is Devin Booker. The Suns were 1-7 during Durant’s time away from the court as he dealt with a calf strain and with all the scoring pressure and opposing teams’ defensive focus on Booker, it was a rough stretch.

But with Durant back, the Suns (and Booker) are again looking formidable. Book had a team-high 27 points on Saturday to go along with nine assists in his team’s win over the Golden State Warriors.

Other BBNBA Notes:

• PJ Washington notched a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds as the former Kentucky forward stepped up in the absence of Luka Doncic to help the Mavericks to a 106-94 win over the Utah Jazz.

• Last week, Justin Edwards had four points in his NBA debut but didn’t see the court again until last night in the 76ers’ comfortable win over the Pistons. It was garbage time, but time nonetheless.

• It was a rough night for Johnny Juzang in the Jazz’s aforementioned loss to Philadelphia, as the one-time ‘Cat scored just two points on 1-5 shooting.

BBNBA Statistics for 11/30/2024

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	P/M	MIN
Tyrese Maxey (PHI)	111-96 W vs. DET	28	11-24 (5-10)	4	6	2	0	2	+25	35
Devin Booker (PHX)	113-105 W vs. GSW	27	8-20 (3-8)	3	9	2	0	1	+3	38
PJ Washington (DAL)	106-94 W vs. UTA	16	7-16 (2-5)	11	1	1	1	1	+11	35
Nick Richards (CHA)	104-107 L vs. ATL	12	3-5 (0-0)	6	1	1	3	1	-1	25
Johnny Juzang (UTA)	94-106 L vs. DAL	2	1-5 (0-2)	5	0	0	1	0	+2	15
Justin Edwards (PHI) [Two-way]	111-96 W vs. DET	0	0-0 (0-0)	0	0	0	0	0	-6	3
Chris Livingston (MIL)	124-114 W vs. WAS	DNP-G League
Oscar Tshiebwe (UTA) [Two-way]	94-106 L vs. DAL	DNP-G League
TyTy Washington (PHX) [Two-way]	113-105 W vs. GSW	DNP-G League

Today in the NBA

3:30 | Magic @ Nets
3:30 | Pacers (Jackson: out) @ Grizzlies
6:00 | Celtics @ Cavaliers
6:00 | Pelicans (Boston, Reeves) @ Knicks (Towns)
6:00 | Heat (Adebayo, Herro) @ Raptors (Quickley)
7:00 | Thunder (Gilgeous-Alexander, Wallace) @ Rockets (Sheppard)
8:00 | Lakers (Davis, Vanderbilt: out) @ Jazz (Juzang, Tshiebwe)
9:00 | Mavericks (PJ Washington) @ Trail Blazers (Sharpe)
9:00 | Spurs (Johnson) @ Kings (Fox, Monk, Lyles)
10:00 | Nuggets (Murray) @ Clippers