The newest member of the Phoenix Suns, Nick Richards, didn’t disappoint in his debut game on Saturday against the Detroit Pistons. Richards helped the Suns capture a 125-121 win with 21-point, 11-rebound performance off the bench.
The big man wasted no time in announcing his presence in the game in his first game. Even his All-Star teammates were impressed with how he played. Star forward Kevin Durant spoke highly of Richards and how he played his role to perfection.
“He played poised, man. Understood his role pretty quickly,” Durant said. “Just making plays around the rim on both ends of the floor, offensive rebounding force.
“I think we gotta keep building on it, get more comfortable as each game goes past.
During one moment in the game, Durant broke down the defense which led to an easy dunk for Richards, who was waiting at the dunker’s spot. After their win, the 14-time All-Star highlighted that sequence, crediting the big man for his readiness to play above the rim.
“Bigs do a good job of playing the dunker spot, do a good job of getting easy points, especially against us. ‘Cause that play, I think, Jalen Durant kinda left him… I think that’s who he kinda live off, trying to make plays, either offensive rebounding or just finishing once he catches it. Got to do a better job of planning that but also finding the bigs, getting people off.”
"He played poised man. Understood his role pretty quickly."
"His energy. His presence."
Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal on Nick Richards debut in Suns win Saturday at Detroit.
Posted 21 points on 7-of-8 FGs and 11 rebounds. #Suns pic.twitter.com/ODIbHHrg5m
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 19, 2025
Richards was traded by the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Josh Okogie and three second-round picks. He’s played 21 games for the Hornets this season, averaging 8.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
Richards reflects on his Suns debut
It was a refreshing sight for Suns fans to see how Richards played in his debut game. After their win, the big man spoke to league insider Duane Rankin and said that he didn’t try to change anything in his approach. According to him, he played his brand of basketball as he tries to figure out the system.
“Everything was flowing and guys were focusing a lot on defense, got other guys to make shots,” Richards said. “Honestly, I’m just out there being me, playing my style of basketball. Trying to figure it out through the system.
“I’ll fully be myself the whole entire time. Didn’t try to change anything up, just playing my style of basketball.”
"Everything was flowing."
"I was out there being me, playing my style of basketball."
Nick Richards after going for 21 points and 11 boards in his Suns debut that ended in an 125-121 win over the Pistons. #Suns pic.twitter.com/bn61NhKcv6
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 19, 2025
Phoenix will play against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday. However, no one is sure if Richards will have another huge double-double against the top-seeded team in the Eastern Conference.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
