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Nick Richards · Complementing the play of their starters flawlessly through a 72-point contribution, the Charlotte Hornets’ bench, one might say, proved themselves to be a game-changing presence immediately upon check-in. Perhaps it was the only response necessary, given Nick Richards’ early-and-often flights through the air on October 30, 2024. Feeding off of both an already-energized crowd and Charlotte’s fiery opening-quarter start, the highflying 7-footer nimbly runs the floor with purpose immediately upon confirmation of his teammate’s steal. Rewarded unselfishly through an alley-oop lob that introduces his gifts, Richards explodes into a rim-hanging two-handed flush, affording the Hornets momentum that ultimately turned into a 14-point first quarter boost. Richards kept the Spectrum Center in a celebratory rave throughout a win over the Toronto Raptors, its first home victory of the just-beginning 2024-25 season. Among the night’s top producers, the fifth-year big’s two-way aerial attack encouraged 24 points (on 10-of-14 shooting), 14 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and four blocks. · State of Mint