Nick Richards,Phoenix Suns’ center, has brought valuable energy but is showing limitations against tougher competition.
John Voita, the Managing Editor of Bright Side of the Sun and co-host of the Suns JAM Session Podcast, has been a credentialed member of the Phoenix media since 2023.
As I settled into my seat at the Footprint Center last night amidst the chaos of the Suns versus Clippers game, I looked to my left. The person next to me, equally absorbed in the action, became my sounding board for a question that had been on my mind as the fourth quarter progressed. First, credit to Buzz RX for the seats—you’re the real MVP. Anyway, as the intensity grew, I finally asked, “Where’s Nick Richards?”
Nick Richards has made a strong impact with the Suns, offering the team the athletic, rim-running center they’ve been lacking. His lateral speed, shot-blocking ability, and overall energy were much-needed qualities that Jusuf Nurkic and Mason Plumlee didn’t provide.
In his five games with the Suns, Richards has displayed potential, but a troubling trend is emerging: his performance drops significantly when facing tougher teams.
This is something that head coach Mike Budenholzer has noticed, influencing his decisions against stronger opponents.
For instance, in the Cleveland Cavaliers game, foul trouble hindered Richards early. He picked up two offensive fouls and, with 6:20 left in the second quarter and the Suns trailing 42-35, committed a third. Coach Bud had no choice but to sit him out, opting for a smaller lineup against one of the league’s top teams—a risky move that didn’t pay off.
When Richards returned in the third quarter, the Suns were down 67-48. In his 10 minutes in the second half, Richards struggled to contribute, making just one of two shots, grabbing a single rebound, and adding two more fouls. It was a rough game for Richards, who the Suns needed to step up.
Against the Clippers last night, Richards had difficulty handling Ivica Zubac’s physical presence. The Harden-Zubac pick-and-roll continually broke down the Suns’ defense, with Zubac scoring six dunks.
The numbers tell the story: in the 5:43 minutes Richards guarded Zubac, he allowed 17 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting. It was a tough matchup that exposed weaknesses in the Suns’ defense in the paint.
The Suns went into halftime with a 13-point lead, thanks largely to moments when Richards was off the floor. He was the only Sun with a negative plus-minus at the break, posting a -4 in the first half.
In the third quarter, the Suns fell apart, with the Clippers mounting a 20-6 run that erased the Suns’ lead. And who was manning the center during this collapse? That’s right, Nick Richards.
Coach Bud pulled Richards with 5:52 left in the third, and once he was out, the Suns went on a 10-3 run.
When I asked Coach Bud about sticking with Mason Plumlee, he mentioned, “Mason was playing well. His activity, both defensively and offensively. Really felt like he was everywhere.”
In truth, Plumlee outperformed Richards in this game. Perhaps his familiarity with the Clippers’ system from last season helped, but Plumlee was the Suns’ best shot at winning. No doubt about it.
I’ve been a big advocate for Richards, believing he filled a critical gap in the Suns’ lineup. However, last night’s game, along with the one against Cleveland, reminded me that Richards has his limits. He’s not Shaq, not even Suns Shaq. He’ll have his moments, but there’s a reason he’s making $5 million a year.
Some matchups just don’t suit him, and so far, those tend to be against stronger teams—the ones he needs to shine against. His lob threat adds a valuable dimension to the Suns’ offense, but it’s useless if he’s riding the bench. Just ask Jusuf Nurkic.
Fortunately for the Suns, they have enough depth to adjust and offer different looks. Mason Plumlee stepped up in a big way last night. While he didn’t score, finishing with zero points, his impact was clear. Plumlee posted a team-high +22 and disrupted Zubac just enough to help the Suns fend off the Clippers.
He played 11 crucial minutes in the fourth quarter, proving his worth as a defensive presence. Across three games against the Clippers this season, Plumlee has matched up with Zubac for 8 minutes and 41 possessions, limiting him to just 10 points. It wasn’t flashy, but it was exactly what the Suns needed.
This raises the possibility that the Suns might still be looking for another center. The idea of having five centers on the roster may seem absurd—it’s a third of the team—but if the Suns can somehow move Jusuf Nurkic’s contract and add another center, it could be the best possible scenario as the trade deadline nears.
Bradley Beal isn’t going anywhere, and while Richards has shown promise, he will need to perform better against tougher competition. Relying solely on Mason Plumlee isn’t a long-term solution. The Suns need Richards to step up.
I go back to my conversation with the stranger sitting next to me at last night’s game. When I asked about the new center, they responded with, “Is that the new guy?”. I guess they aren’t on the hype train. And honestly,
after last night, I can’t say I blame them.
