Photo Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images
The Golden State Warriors will be without Will Richard for an undetermined period after the second-year guard suffered a torn ligament in his left thumb.
Golden State listed Richard with a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) on its injury report Sunday, ruling him out of Monday’s matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. The team had no practice or media availability Sunday, leaving his recovery timeline and treatment plan unclear.
The injury comes as Richard has begun earning a more consistent role in the Warriors’ rotation. He has appeared as both a starter and a reserve during Golden State’s seven-game winning streak after the team opened the season with three consecutive losses.
Richard started against Phoenix and Miami last week before returning to the bench for Saturday’s game against Orlando. He recorded four points in 12 minutes in that contest.
Stephen Curry Praises Richard’s Defensive Impact
Richard has made an impression with his defensive energy, particularly during the Warriors’ recent run. Stephen Curry highlighted his contributions after Golden State’s 116-113 victory over Phoenix.
“Everybody having an impact, throw Will Richard in there, too, he’s had three straight games really where he’s turned up the energy defensively for us,” Curry said. “Defensively, he’s just been a pest out there.”
Head coach Steve Kerr also praised Richard’s ability to adapt to different responsibilities, describing him as a smart player who makes few mistakes and can defend multiple positions.
The 23-year-old is averaging 5.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 17.2 minutes per game this season. He has shot 47.5% from the field and 42.9% from beyond the arc through 10 appearances.
Richard’s Recovery Timeline Remains Unclear
Richard joined Golden State as a second-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft after helping Florida win the national championship. He appeared in 69 games during his rookie season and showed promise as a two-way contributor.
The Warriors will now have to manage his absence while waiting for further information about the severity of the injury and whether he will require surgery.
Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray suffered a similar UCL injury in his left thumb early last season. Murray underwent surgery and missed the first 15 games, offering a possible reference point for Richard’s recovery, although his timeline will depend on the Warriors’ assessment.
