The Golden State Warriors handed the Indiana Pacers a 114-83 defeat Sunday at Chase Center, led by Jimmy Butler with 21 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
Golden State closed the third and fourth quarters with decisive runs after Indiana, hamstrung by rest and injuries, failed to find a late answer.
With Steph Curry missing his third straight contest due to illness, it left room for younger guards to step in, one of whom was rookie Will Richard.
Richard produced 15 points, three rebounds, one assist, and a steal in 19 minutes, going 4-for-8 from the field, 7-for-8 from the free throw line, and finishing with a +19 net rating on the night.
The efficient outing followed a career-high 30 points against the Sacramento Kings just a few days earlier, evidence that the No. 56 pick has the toolkit to contribute in multiple ways.
After the game, coach Steve Kerr had high praise for the rookie: “Early on in camp, you could see he really knew how to play. He’s constantly making the right cut, the right pass, he’s solid. His fundamentals are fantastic; you can see all the experience he’s had in big games. He's a ball player, and we're excited to have him. He’s going to contribute quite a bit for us this year.”
Butler also chimed in, adding: “He's hella smart… you tell him what to do… he's going to do it. And he just looks incredible.”
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Richard enjoyed a four-year collegiate career, with the first being spent at Belmont before transferring to Florida ahead of the 2022-23 college basketball season.
Over three seasons with the Gators, he averaged 11.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 steals across 108 games, including a career 2024 campaign in which he posted 13.3 points and 1.7 steals per game en route to a national title.
Richard was selected in the second round (No. 56 overall) of the 2025 NBA Draft by the Warriors and has quickly emerged as a vital rotation piece.
Across nine games, he is averaging 10.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 steals in just 17.2 minutes a night.
He’s also on the rise, coming off back-to-back double-digit scoring nights after his 30-point outburst in Sacramento last week.
For a team whose championship window is still open, the Warriors’ season will ultimately hinge on staying competitive when stars like Curry or Butler miss time, and Richard’s emergence is more than a one-off.
It shows Golden State's ability to find late‑draft gems and convert them into consistent contributors who can be relied on every night.
Up next, Golden State begins a six-game road trip Tuesday at Oklahoma City, a quick test of rotations and recovery.
If Richard keeps producing efficient minutes, his role will be one to watch on the trip.
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