Sacramento, CA – In a heart-stopping NBA showdown that had Golden 1 Center rocking from tip-off to buzzer, the Golden State Warriors’ young guns lit up the night, only to fall just short in a 121-116 thriller against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. But the real story? A trio of rising stars – rookie sensation Will Richard, sharpshooter Moses Moody, and power forward Jonathan Kuminga – erupted for a jaw-dropping 82 points combined, delivering a performance that felt more like a playoff preview than a midseason matinee.
Down by as many as 11 in the final frame, the shorthanded Dubs mounted a furious comeback, clawing back to within three points on a dagger three from Brandin Podziemski with under a minute to play. But a missed tying shot from Kuminga and a pair of ice-cold free throws from Kings guard Dennis Schröder sealed the deal, dropping Golden State to 5-4 on the season while handing Sacramento its third straight win over the Bay Area rivals.
The Warriors entered halftime up five, riding a balanced attack that saw Richard’s hot hand carry the load early. But the Kings flipped the script in the third, outscoring Golden State 35-23 to grab a seven-point edge heading into the fourth. From there, it was a gritty, back-and-forth affair that showcased the Warriors’ resilience – and their youth movement’s firepower.
Richard’s Rookie Rampage: 30 Points in Debut Start
Stepping into the spotlight for the first time in his young NBA career, 2025 draft pick Will Richard didn’t just fill the void left by Golden State’s injured stars – he exploded all over it. The 56th overall selection dropped a game-high 30 points on blistering 10-of-15 shooting, including five triples on eight attempts, to go with seven rebounds, three assists, and a steal in 34 minutes of high-octane action.
Richard wasted no time announcing his arrival, torching the Kings for 12 points in the opening quarter alone, highlighted by a pair of catch-and-shoot threes that had the Warriors’ bench erupting. His efficiency was surgical, and his poise under pressure drew rave reviews from head coach Steve Kerr.
“The college experience is a big deal,” Kerr said postgame, tipping his cap to Richard’s national championship pedigree from his college days. “Will played and won a national title. All those big games, all that learning that comes from playing under pressure, understanding what wins – it all matters. You get all those reps at a high level in college, you’re just more ready for what you’re facing in the NBA.”
Richard, ever the team-first guy, kept it humble after the loss. “You always have to stay ready,” he told reporters. “I’m a big believer in controlling what you can control, and whatever role I’m in, I want to do whatever it takes to help the team win. So, whether not playing or playing, I just want to see us win.”
Statistically speaking, Richard’s outburst ties him for second all-time among Warriors in scoring for a debut start (since tracking began in 1970-71), behind only Anthony Morrow’s 37 in 2008. He also matched the franchise mark for threes in a first start with five, joining the likes of Mychal Mulder and Justin Holiday. Across the league, he’s the second rookie this season to crack the 30-point barrier, trailing only Philadelphia’s VJ Edgecombe.
Moody’s Microwave Magic Lights Up Crunch Time
If Richard was the spark, Moses Moody was the inferno. Fresh off a 24-point explosion against Phoenix the night before – in the first leg of Golden State’s third back-to-back set – the 23-year-old wing went supernova again, pouring in 28 points on 9-of-15 shooting. He tied his career high with six makes from deep, including a flurry that kept the Warriors breathing in the fourth quarter, where he tallied 12 of his points.
Moody’s emergence feels like a long time coming after missing two weeks of training camp due to injury, but Kerr sees a player who’s finally hitting stride. “Moses has just found his groove,” the coach beamed. “Shooting the ball obviously, and he’s found his conditioning. To miss two weeks of camp is really difficult, especially when camp is only three weeks and you start right into the season. He’s shooting the ball well. He’s defending at a high level. He’s competing every second. It’s fun watching Moses play.”
This marks the second straight season for Moody with back-to-back 20-plus point games – a rarity for a player who’s often been buried on the depth chart. In a game where Golden State needed every bucket, his deep-ball barrage was the difference between a blowout and a nail-biter.
Kuminga Steps Up Big in Bigger Minutes
With the Warriors missing their big three – Stephen Curry (illness), Jimmy Butler III (back), and Draymond Green (rib) – Jonathan Kuminga seized the moment, logging heavy minutes and delivering from everywhere on the floor. The athletic forward finished with 24 points across all three levels, pairing it with a team-high-tying nine rebounds to help anchor the glass.
Kuminga’s night included a posterizing dunk that sent ripples through the arena, but it was his rebounding streak – now at nine straight games with at least five boards – that underscored his growing reliability. In a contest defined by hustle plays, Kuminga’s near-miss on a game-tying jumper in the dying seconds encapsulated the Warriors’ fight, even in defeat.
Podziemski’s All-Around Brilliance and Shorthanded Struggles
It wasn’t just the big three who shone; Brandin Podziemski stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, nine assists, nine rebounds, and a team-best +14 plus-minus, flirting with a triple-double in the process. The second-year guard’s late three trimmed the deficit to three, setting up that frantic finish.
But the absences loomed large: Golden State was also without De’Anthony Melton and Alex Toohey (both knees), marking the first time Curry, Green, and Butler sat out together this season. Historically, the Warriors are 27-8 when that trio suits up. On the flip side, the Kings were missing Zach LaVine (back) and Domantas Sabonis (rib), yet still pulled away late.
This loss drops the Warriors to 1-3 in clutch games this season and 1-4 on the road, though their 4-0 home mark offers some solace. It’s also just the second split back-to-back for Golden State, after sweeping the first set.
Looking Ahead: Road Warriors Hit Denver
The Dubs won’t have long to lick their wounds. They head to Denver for a Friday night clash with the Nuggets (7 p.m. PT on Prime Video), marking their NBA Cup debut. Then it’s back to Chase Center for a Sunday tilt against the Indiana Pacers (5:30 p.m. on NBCSBA), before a grueling six-game road swing.
In a season already full of twists, this “bombshell” performance from Richard, Moody, and Kuminga signals brighter days ahead for a Warriors squad that’s young, hungry, and unapologetically explosive. If they can bottle this energy – and get their vets healthy – the Bay Area could be in for another wild ride.