CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Hornets will be without center Nick Richards for a minimum of two weeks following a diagnosis of a fracture in the cartilage of his right first rib, which is located beneath his clavicle.

The organization has not provided a specific timeline for his recovery but has indicated that his condition will be reassessed biweekly. The next status update is anticipated after the team’s road trip on November 17. As a result of this injury, Richards will miss at least seven games.

Richards sustained the injury during a collision on the court in the first half of the game against the Boston Celtics on November 1.

The Hornets are already facing challenges in the center position, as their regular starter, Mark Williams, has yet to participate in any games this season due to his own injury issues.

Standing at 7 feet tall, Richards has appeared in 205 games throughout his career, boasting averages of 6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks over five seasons. This season has seen him achieve career-best numbers, averaging 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks over his first five games.