Steph Curry and the Warriors are on the road Thursday night for a matchup vs. the Suns. It will be their second of four meetings vs. Phoenix in 2025-26.
Golden State beat the Suns 118-107 on Tuesday, November 4. The Warriors will be on the road Thursday when they face Phoenix. This season, the Warriors’ rotation has been unpredictable. Key players have missed time early on. That’s forced head coach Steve Kerr to make adjustments. Recently, Kerr explained his reasoning for taking rookie Will Richard out of the rotation.
Will Richard must earn his way back into the rotation for Golden State
“It’s been tough not playing [Will Richard] because I’m a huge fan and a believer…Right now, frankly he’s sitting because he’s a rookie. I’m honoring what the older guys have done over the years.”
– Steve Kerr on @WillardAndDibs.
🎧 https://t.co/Es5Q9kWxn0 pic.twitter.com/BylSQxC0cz
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) December 17, 2025
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr recently made an appearance on 95.7 The Game. Kerr was asked about his decision to give rookie Will Richard back-to-back DNPs. For Steve Kerr, the answer was simple. Earlier in the season, Golden State was dealing with injuries. That gave the rookie SG a chance to play more minutes.
Lately, the Warriors’ lineup is healthy, and Steve Kerr has access to nearly all of his players. That includes veterans who Kerr says deserve more playing time. Additionally, he said that playing veterans is “good” for team chemistry. Steve Kerr said, “I think this is kind of how it goes.” An old-school answer from the 60-year-old.
“The great thing with Will is he gets it. I went to him last week, told him, I’m going to take him out of the rotation because we’re getting healthy, and I want to play my vets and give everybody you know a look.”
Steve Kerr on Will Richard. pic.twitter.com/skHygH2XZL
— Joseph Dycus (@joseph_dycus) December 17, 2025
With a second-round pick in 2025, the Grizzlies selected Will Richard out of Florida. On draft night, he was traded from Memphis to Golden State. That is where the rookie has spent the start of his professional career. Will Richard has appeared in 23 of the team’s 27 games this season. The four games he’s missed have been DNPs. That includes each of his last two games.
After Wednesday’s practice, Steve Kerr had high praise for the rookie. He said Will Richard has handled the situation well. Kerr said that Richard understands his place on the team as a rookie. On top of that, Kerr noted that Richard’s “time will come back around.” The rookie has lost his spot in the rotation for now. Will Richard has a strong work ethic and championship DNA. Two things the Warriors value highly. At some point, he’ll have his chance to earn minutes again.
