Rookie Will Richard's 30-Point Game Offers Hope in Warriors' Loss to Kings
SACRAMENTO – Before Wednesday’s matchup at Golden 1 Center, coach Steve Kerr looked for a positive in the Warriors' situation. With three of their top players missing, Kerr viewed it as a chance to experiment with lineups and give more court time to younger members of the team.
Rookie Will Richard made the most of that opportunity. In his first NBA start, the 22-year-old from Georgia delivered a performance that left fans optimistic about Golden State’s future.
“Will Richard was exactly what Kerr was hoping to see,” noted one reporter after the game.
Richard posted a season-high 30 points, including five three-pointers, despite the Warriors falling to the Sacramento Kings 121–116 on Thursday night. His performance placed him among elite company in the franchise’s history.
He became the first Warriors player selected in the second round or later to score 20 or more points in his debut start since Eric Paschall in 2019. Richard’s 30 points also tied for the second-most scored by a Warrior in his first career start, matching John Lucas’s mark while trailing only Anthony Morrow’s 37-point debut.
Golden State fans now have one more reason to stay engaged as the team continues developing its next generation of talent.
Author’s Summary
Will Richard’s breakout 30-point performance in his first NBA start brought excitement and promise for the Warriors despite their narrow loss to the Kings.