Tag: Kentucky News

Mychal Mulder records career-high from beyond the arc in first NBA start

Still on a 10-day contract with the Warriors, Mychal Mulder made his first career NBA start.

While the world is waiting on the return of Stephen Curry, one of his new teammates is quietly earning a roster spot with the Golden State Warriors. Breaking into the rotation can be a tough task for a player on a 10-day contract in the NBA — getting your name in the starting lineup is even more difficult.

The Warriors signed Mychal Mulder to a 10-day contract from the G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce on February 26. Four games into his deal, Mulder got the starting nod for the Warriors against the Denver Nuggets.

Before earning the start in Denver, Mulder scored in double-figures off the bench in the past two games while eclipsing 30 minutes in each contest.

The Kentucky product continued his impressive play as a starter in Denver. Mulder scored 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting with all his points coming from beyond the arc. The Canadian guard added three rebounds and three assists in 35 minutes. Mulder’s shooting played a key factor in Golden State’s 15 point comeback win against the Nuggets.

The 25-year-old rookie’s career-high five 3-pointers were more than any amount of long-distance shots he made in a game while at the University of Kentucky.

Mulder has received praise from Steve Kerr during his time in Golden State and is now impressing in a starting role — two positive signs for a player on a 10-day contract. Mulder will have two games left on his deal to build off his notable play.

Mychal Mulder is ‘excited’ for the chance to play with Steph Curry

Mychal Mulder believes a healthy Steph Curry can make him better on and off the court.

During the final stretch of the Golden State Warriors 2019-20 season, Stephen Curry’s return from injury remains the most important date on the calendar. Curry has only played in four games this season since suffering a broken hand in late October, but his return is expected in March.

Warriors’ fans aren’t the only ones counting down the days till Curry is back on the court. Members of Golden State are also awaiting the return of the two-time Most Valuable Player.

Golden State recently signed Mychal Mulder from the G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce to a 10-day contract with the club. The newest Warrior is excited for the opportunity to potentially play alongside Curry.

Via 95.7 The Game:

Coming in on a 10-day, just to have an opportunity to play, is a great opportunity in itself. I know a lot of guys on 10-days, and they might not get so many minutes or so many reps even in practice. It’s been a really good chance for me to showcase myself here — but as far as Steph getting back, I’m super excited about that. I’m really hoping he gets back while I’m here. Wishing him the best of health and a speedy recovery right now. To have him back during my time here would be huge for me. Obviously, he would make me better on and off the court. I’m excited to get to work with a little bit during games. Hopefully, we can get him back during my time here. I’m really looking forward to playing with him, honestly.

Mulder is averaging 11 points on 42.9 % shooting while grabbing 4.0 rebounds in three games with Golden State. The 6-foot-3 guard has scored in double-figures in the Warriors’ past two contests while eclipsing 30-minutes in each game.

The Kentucky product has three games remaining on his 10-day deal with the Warriors. If Mulder wants the opportunity to play with Curry, he’ll have to build off his impressive play to solidify his spot with Golden State beyond 10 days.

Mychal Mulder providing spark off the bench during Warriors 10-day contract

Mychal Mulder scored 14 points off the bench in Golden State’s comeback road win against the Suns.

Injuries and trades have opened up opportunities in the Golden State Warriors rotation. The Dubs have used the back end of their roster to take flyers with 10-day contracts.

The Warriors have rotated through four different players on 10-day deals with the latest being Mychal Mulder. Golden State plucked the 25-year-old shooting guard from the G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce, where he averaged 17.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 45.1 % from the field and 39.9 % from long distance.

Mulder made his Golden State debut against the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring two points while grabbing four rebounds. Against the Suns, with a limited Golden State bench, Mulder took advantage of his extended playing time.

The Kentucky product scored 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting in 34 minutes off the bench. Mulder was able to knock down three timely shots from beyond the arc while grabbing six rebounds in Golden State’s 18-point comeback victory.

After the win, Steve Kerr credited Mulder as a significant factor in the Warriors’ comeback.

Via Warriors SoundCloud:

I thought Mike Mulder played a big role in that. He came off the bench and missed his first four or five shots and very easily could’ve hung his head. He’s on a 10-day, and things weren’t going his way, but the job he did defensively on Booker and then getting a couple of shots to go late in the first half in the second quarter. I thought Mike really sparked us.

Defensively Mulder was matched with fellow former Kentucky Wildcat Devin Booker. The Suns All-Star scored a modest 21 points on 6-of-16 shooting with six turnovers.

Making a strong impression on the head coach while on a 10-day contract is a positive sign for Mulder’s future in the NBA. The 6-foot3 shooting guard’s performance against the Suns should earn him more playing time in the remaining days on his 10-day deal. Mulder will have four more games through the remainder of his contract with Golden State.