Golden State Warriors guard Will Richard has a torn ligament in his left thumb that will sideline him for an undetermined stretch.
The Warriors listed Richard on the injury report Sunday with a torn ulnar collateral ligament, and he sat out Monday’s game against New Orleans at Chase Center as the team concludes a six-game homestand. Golden State held no practice or media availability Sunday, so there is no immediate timetable for Richard’s recovery and no known treatment plan.
Richard’s Role in a Turnaround
Richard has provided key minutes as both a starter and a reserve as the Warriors have won seven straight games since an 0-3 start. He made two starts this past week, against Phoenix and Miami.
Stephen Curry credited the team’s improved understanding of its roles for the momentum after the slow start.
“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 after a 116-113 win over the Suns. “Defensively, he’s just been a pest out there.”
Season Numbers and Background
The 23-year-old guard was a second-round draft pick last year out of Florida, where he led the Gators to a national championship. Richard is averaging 5.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 47.5% from the floor and 42.9% from 3-point range.
Sacramento Kings forward Keegan Murray dealt with the same injury early last season. He underwent surgery and missed the first 15 games.