SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors have struggled to maintain consistent energy and effort during the early part of this season. Draymond Green highlighted this issue after the defense faltered against the Denver Nuggets, and head coach Steve Kerr has repeatedly emphasized the need for more intensity, especially in winnable games.
However, one player who hasn’t had a problem bringing that energy is second-round rookie Will Richard.
### Richard Shines in Warriors’ Win Over Pacers
In the Warriors’ 114-83 victory over the Indiana Pacers—a game that appeared closer than the final score suggested—Richard came off the bench and delivered a strong performance. He scored 15 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw line, while posting a +19 plus/minus in just 19 minutes.
Golden State struggled to separate itself from the undermanned and depleted Pacers, who were coming off a back-to-back. But Richard’s presence at the start of the fourth quarter energized the team with a blend of defense, basketball IQ, and hustle, sparking a critical 21-11 run that put the game out of reach.
### Veteran Praise for Richard’s Energy and Maturity
Veteran center Al Horford, who was also instrumental in that decisive stretch, praised Richard’s energy and readiness when he enters the game.
“It’s amazing because he’ll go from not playing or not having any stretch, and then when he comes in, he’s ready,” Horford said. “He’s cutting, he’s hitting threes, he’s getting on the break, he’s defending; he does a little bit of everything. I’ve been very impressed with his maturity and how he’s been able to handle all the tasks that we throw at him because it’s very unpredictable.”
Over the last three games, the Florida shooting guard has averaged 19.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, shooting 40.0% from three-point range.
### Richard on Making an Impact
In his post-game press conference, Richard spoke about the pride he takes in making an impact whenever he checks into a game.
“Just making an impact, whether that’s on the offensive or defensive end. Spreading the floor and doing stuff like that,” Richard said. “I grew up watching the Warriors, so for me, Steph and Dray and all of them—they made my childhood. So I feel like every time I’m on the court, I need to pay that back by going out there and playing as hard as I can.”
### How Will Richard Earned His Spot in Kerr’s Rotation
Breaking into the rotation of a contending team as a second-round rookie is no easy feat—especially in a complex system like Steve Kerr’s. But Richard has risen to the challenge, quickly understanding his role and working seamlessly alongside stars like Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler.
“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,” Kerr explained. “His fundamentals are fantastic; you can see all the experience he’s had in big games. Will’s a ball player, and we’re excited to have him. He’s going to contribute quite a bit for us this year.”
A key reason Richard has adapted so quickly is his extensive college experience. After spending his freshman year at Belmont, he played three seasons at Florida, where he was a major contributor to the Gators’ run to the NCAA national championship just months before joining the Warriors. Kerr points to those high-leverage moments as why Richard has transitioned smoothly.
Jimmy Butler also credits Richard’s high basketball IQ and willingness to learn.
“He’s hella smart,” Butler said. “But the thing I love most about Will is his ability to listen. You tell him what to do to the best of his ability, he’s going to do it—whether on offense or defense. It’s really hard to please everybody because you could be told five things from five different people that might contradict each other. But he’s a hella fly listener. Whatever you tell him to do, he understands it’s to win. So he’s going to do it, and he just looks incredible.”
### Richard’s Role Moving Forward
As Kerr noted, Richard has firmly established himself in the Warriors’ rotation, though his minutes will depend largely on matchups. He has already begun to leapfrog teammates like Gary Payton II and Gui Santos on the depth chart, but Golden State’s rotation often shifts based on the situation.
Kerr has publicly stated that Payton tends to perform better when Curry is on the floor, so with the two-time MVP back, rotations may adjust. Additionally, the return of veteran De’Anthony Melton from ACL surgery will add another layer of competition for playing time. Kerr may have to decide between leaning on Melton’s experience or continuing to ride the hot hand with the ascending Richard.
As impressive as Richard has been, he is still a rookie and may have occasional moments where his inexperience shows. In critical games, Kerr is likely to lean on seasoned players like Melton, who has playoff experience.
Regardless, Richard has proven himself an NBA-caliber player—far exceeding expectations for a second-round pick.
Horford echoed this sentiment: “I’m just impressed with how quickly he’s picking everything up. How used to he’s getting playing in the NBA. Because it’s not an easy transition. To be on a veteran team and come in and find your way—it’s not that simple, you know? If you’re on a bad team, those things are kind of expected. But to be on a contending team like us and do what he’s doing—that’s impressive.”
As Horford and Butler both noted, Richard’s basketball IQ and curiosity will serve him well as his NBA career progresses.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/warriors-news-will-richard-high-praise-jimmy-butler-al-horford-rookie-shines-pacers-win
