Will Richard is back on the bench Monday against the Nuggets after making the first start of his season Saturday.
The lineup change comes after Richard was held scoreless in three minutes Friday night against Memphis. One day later, he was in the starting five because three members of the usual starting lineup were sidelined.
Richard made the most of that opportunity. In 20 minutes Saturday, he finished with eight points and five rebounds, giving the Warriors a useful boost in a temporary starting role.
Now, with the team’s usual lineup options available again, Richard will rotate back to his normal bench role for Monday’s game. It is a quick reminder of how fluid the Warriors’ rotation can be when injuries and availability force changes from one night to the next.
For Richard, the bigger takeaway is that he has already shown he can step into a starting spot when needed. Even if Monday sends him back to the second unit, his first start of the season gave the Warriors another look at what he can provide in a larger role.
