On Sunday evening, the Golden State Warriors will travel to Colorado to face the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. The Warriors are riding high after a 131-126 home win over the Washington Wizards, but a fresh injury concern could significantly tilt the upcoming matchup—and potentially their playoff hopes—in Denver’s favor.
In that victory, rookie guard Will Richard contributed eight points, two rebounds, and two assists, going 3-of-5 from the field in 25 minutes of action.
However, the Warriors have announced that Will Richard is now listed as questionable for Sunday’s game due to left heel soreness. According to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area, Seth Curry and Quinten Post have both been upgraded to questionable as well, while Richard’s heel issue adds another layer of uncertainty for Golden State’s rotation.
Richard, the 56th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft out of Florida, played a key role in the Gators’ 2025 National Championship run. As a 23-year-old rookie, he has enjoyed a solid season for the Warriors, averaging 6.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 steals per game across 64 contests. He has shot an efficient 47.9% from the field and 34.8% from three-point range, providing valuable bench production and perimeter defense.
The Warriors have won three straight games but remain inconsistent overall, going 6-4 in their last ten. They currently sit as the 10th seed in the Western Conference with a 36-38 record after 74 games. A win in Denver would be huge for their play-in positioning, but missing or limiting Richard could hurt their depth on the road. After this contest, Golden State returns home Wednesday to host Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
On the other side, the Nuggets enter the game as the fourth seed in the West with a strong 47-28 record after 75 games. They are on a five-game winning streak and have won eight of their last ten, showcasing excellent form as the regular season winds down. Nikola Jokić and company have been dominant, and hosting a shorthanded Warriors squad gives them a prime opportunity to extend their momentum.
Following the Warriors, Denver will visit the Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
With Will Richard’s heel soreness creating doubt just days before a critical late-season clash, the Nuggets appear to have gained a significant edge. Golden State is already navigating injuries elsewhere in the roster, and any absence or reduced minutes for their productive rookie could make it much tougher to compete against a surging Denver team fighting for playoff seeding. This development could prove to be a major bombshell for the Warriors’ hopes of climbing the standings and securing a favorable playoff path.