Is Nick Richards all right? That question would be going through the minds of attendees at the Footprint Center as the Phoenix Suns-Minnesota Timberwolves matchup continues to be underway. Having lost 7 of their 9 recent matchups, the last thing the Phoenix Suns would have wanted was for a key player to get sidelined due to an injury. Well, the Suns did have a close shave with that wish.

As the matchup was still in the 1 quarter, Timberwolves’ Julius Randle attempted to make a shot. He was being guarded by Nick Richards. Randle lifted near the rim but, in the process, accidentally hit the Suns player with his right hand. Richards lay on the ground, bleeding, as officials gathered around him.

Eventually, the injury was serious enough to cause Nick Richards to walk back to the locker room. Fortunately, the player soon returned to the court and on the bench, as highlighted by Underdog NBA. He did have a bandage under his eye, which did not prevent him from performing. However, Richards did end up scoring only 4 points during his 25 minutes on the court. This was the lowest he scored since his matchup against the San Antonio Spurs back in February.

In the likely event that the injury would have sidelined the Suns’ primary center, then, according to Rotowire, Mason Plumlee would have received additional playing time. While Richards’s 9.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.0 assists aren’t anything impressive, the score is still better than Plumlee’s. After all, in the 60 games he has played this season, the secondary Center has only averaged 4.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. Therefore, even though the Phoenix Suns can do better center-wise, it is good that they have Richards for now.

All things considered, a swollen eye isn’t so bad. Granted, it brings a series of problems and can be a big bother to the individual who sustained it. However, when compared to the other injuries the player has sustained this season, it is the least problematic.

What other injuries has Nick Richards sustained this season?

Back in early November, when he was still with the Charlotte Hornets, Nick Richards sustained a shoulder injury. The ailment caused him to miss two games. Soon, however, he was back on the injury report with a right first rib cartilage fracture underneath his clavicle. The injury occurred after the player had an on-court collision in the first half against the Boston Celtics on November 1. Richards was originally speculated to miss around 7 games. However, he missed 14!

No sooner had the Center returned from his rib injury recovery when he sustained a right ankle sprain. Richards rolled his ankle after stepping on Cody Martin’s foot in the 3rd quarter of a Knicks game. Fortunately, the player only missed a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers due to the ailment.

By losing the recent game against the Minnesota Timberwolves by a 28-33 score, the Phoenix Suns’ win record has gone down to 28-33. Nick Richards and co. will have to step up their game if they wish to see the playoffs this year. The only way one steps up the game is if they are healthy enough to do so.