Will Richard’s successful summer league stint has appeared to have come to an end.
Read more AI humanoid robotics company sets up shop in Fremont
The second-year guard was not in the starting lineup on Thursday afternoon after being in the first five for the team’s initial three games in Las Vegas, and did not play a single minute in the Warriors’ 87-77 victory over the Knicks.
Richard averaged nine points a game in Las Vegas, but made his biggest impact on the defensive side of the floor.
After spending the offseason dedicating himself to succeeding in the weight room, a visibly stronger Richard was an impassable brick wall against the summer league guards.
Last year with the Warriors, Richard averaged 6.4 points per game as a rookie second-round pick out of Florida, playing in 69 games. He is expected to contend for a rotation spot once again as one of the Warriors’ few young players on the roster.
Starting in Richard’s place against the Knicks was Lajae Jones, this year’s second-round pick.
The rangy 6-foot-7 wing out of Florida State had a slow start in the California Classic in San Francisco, but seems to have found his scoring stride in Las Vegas.
He had scored in double figures in all three games off the bench at Thomas & Mack Center, flashing the effortless athleticism and ability to finish around the rim that intrigues the Warriors.
In 25 minutes Thursday, Jones put in 13 points on 6 of 16 shooting. LJ Cryer had 17 points and five assists, and Graham Ike and Malevy Leons combined for 28 points.
Read more Palo Alto Networks employee held in Iran on spying charges is released
The Warriors (3-1) put themselves in the fourth and final playoff spot with the victory with a plus-25 point differential in Las Vegas.
“We’re just getting better day by day,” Cryer said. “At the end, we were trying to run up the score.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr sat with Knicks coach Mike Brown during the game. Brown, who led the Knicks to the NBA title, was an assistant under Kerr from 2016-22, helping Golden State win three titles.
Depending on the results of other games, the Warriors will either participate in a four-team playoff, or play a final consolation game over the next three days.
Lendeborg has off shooting night
After beginning summer league a scorching 13 of 22 from behind the arc, Yaxel Lendeborg has cooled off over the past two games. The Michigan forward was 0 of 2 on Tuesday, and 1 for 6 from 3-point territory. He scored just three points on Thursday on 1 for 9 shooting.
After scoring in double figures in all of his previous summer league games, the Warriors had Lendeborg play several positions, from point guard all the way to center. Though the shot did not drop, he still impressed with some high-level passes off drives, dishing out six assists. This included a lob from nearly midcourt to Jones for the alley-oop dunk.
With point differential so vital, Lendeborg’s block at the final buzzer also helped the Warriors’ point differential stay at 25 for Las Vegas. He had two blocks and six rebounds.
With Richard now appearing to be finished in the summer circuit, there remains the question of whether or not Golden State will also pull their prized draft pick from the exhibitions too. Center Lachlan Olbrich also did not play on Thursday.
Read more Former Serra QB explains decision to transfer to Clayton Valley
About the Author
