Rookie Will Richard's 30-Point Game Shines in Warriors' Loss to Kings
Sacramento – In Wednesday’s matchup at Golden 1 Center, coach Steve Kerr sought positives despite the absence of Golden State’s three top players. The situation gave him an opportunity to experiment with new lineups and evaluate some of the younger talents.
Rookie Will Richard responded exactly as Kerr had hoped. Making his first NBA start, the 22-year-old from Georgia impressed fans with a remarkable performance that hinted at a bright future.
“Will Richard was exactly what Kerr was hoping to see.”
Richard scored a season-high 30 points in the Warriors’ 121–116 loss to the Sacramento Kings, hitting five three-pointers and entering select company in franchise history. He became the first Warriors player drafted in the second round or later to score 20 or more points in his first career start since Eric Paschall in 2019.
Richard’s 30 points tied for the second-most by a Warriors player in a debut start, matching John Lucas. The record remains with Anthony Morrow, who scored 37 points.
Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, Richard’s breakout performance offered a promising glimpse of what he may bring to the Warriors’ future rotation and development plans.
Author’s summary: Will Richard’s 30-point debut provided a burst of optimism for the Warriors, showcasing his scoring potential and reaffirming the strength of Golden State’s young talent pool.