Tag: Kentucky Update

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 proving himself as a competitor to Steve Kerr

Steve Kerr praised Mychal Mulder’s defense and competitive toughness after scoring in double figures in back-to-back games.

Trades and injuries have opened up Golden State as a destination for players on 10-day contracts. Since the NBA trade deadline, the Warriors have circulated through a handful of 10-day players in their rotation.

Currently, Golden State has three different players on 10-day deals. Dragan Bender, Mychal Mulder are both with the Warriors on 10-day contracts with Chasson Randle expected to sign a deal with the team soon.

Over the past two games, one player is proving he belongs in the NBA longer than 10-days. Mulder, a former member of the G League’s Sioux Falls Skyforce, has made an impact since joining the Golden State Warriors.

Mulder started his NBA career against the Los Angeles Lakers, scoring only two points. However, in the Warriors 18 point comeback against the Phoenix Suns, Mulder tallied 14 points and six rebounds while holding Devin Booker to 21 points on 6-of-16 shooting.

Mulder followed up his impressive game against the Suns with a 17 point effort against the Wizards. The Kentucky product added two rebounds, an assist, block and steal with Washington in town.

After the Warriors 124-110 loss to the Wizards, Kerr praised Mulder as a competitor.

Via Warriors SoundCloud:

He’s a really good player. I’m impressed by not only his shooting but his defense. Last night he took on a really good challenge with Devin Booker. Tonight we out him on Beal at times. He accepts the challenge. Plays bigger than he is. When you’re on a 10-day, it feels like every play is important, every shot is important — it’s not easy to relax and just go play. I thought last night was a really good indication of what kind of competitor he is. He was 0-fo-4, 0-for-5 in the third day of his contract and the clock is ticking and he just kept shooting, kept firing, kept defending and helped us win the game. Came back and had a great game again today. He’s a competitor and a really good player.

Through shooting, defense and praise from his head coach, Mulder is earning more playing time in Golden State. The 6-foot-3 guard will have three more games on his contract before the Warriors have to decide if they want to keep him past 10 days.