Durant impacts Warriors' win in first game back
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Kevin Durant made a healthy -- and triumphant -- return Saturday night, contributing 16 points, a game-high 10 rebounds and a team-high-tying six assists to the Golden State Warriors' 123-101 victory over the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans.
Durant, who had missed 19 games after suffering a sprained left knee on Feb. 28, saw 31 minutes of action in Golden State's 14th consecutive win, the longest streak in the NBA this season.
The Warriors (66-14), who had already clinched the top seeding in the Western Conference, won despite the absence of Stephen Curry, who was sidelined by a bruised left knee.
The Pelicans (33-47), meanwhile, went without star big men DeMarcus Cousins (right Achilles tendinitis) and Anthony Davis (sore left knee).
The visitors were further handcuffed by having to play the second night of a back-to-back that began with a loss Friday at Denver.
The Warriors threw Durant right into the fire against the Pelicans, not only starting him but feeding him on their first possession. He didn't disappoint, making an immediate bee-line to the hoop for a reverse dunk.
Durant had only six points in the first half, during which the short-handed Pelicans, led by Alexis Ajinca and Quinn Cook, were surprisingly competitive. That unlikely duo combined for 24 points in the first 24 minutes, helping New Orleans hang within 54-46.
But then the Warriors turned on the jets in the third quarter, riding 16-of-25 shooting and 10 points from Klay Thompson to a commanding 93-68 advantage.
Durant had six points in eight minutes in the quarter.
Durant went to the sideline for good with 5:50 to go, with Golden State leading 112-80. He finished 6 of 15 from the field and 0 of 4 from 3-point range.
Klay Thompson led seven Warriors in double figures with 20 points, hitting three 3-pointers. Shaun Livingston, starting in Curry's spot, equaled his second-highest scoring game of the season with 14 points.
Cook and fellow backup Jordan Crawford paced the Pelicans with 22 and 21 points, respectively. Jrue Holiday had a game-high 10 assists to go with 10 points.
NOTES: Asked before the game about PG Stephen Curry (bruised left knee), Warriors coach Steve Kerr reported: "Steph is good. We anticipate him playing on Monday (against Utah)." ... The Warriors completed a second straight season-series sweep over the Pelicans. They've beaten New Orleans seven straight overall and nine in a row at home. ... Pelicans PF Anthony Davis (sore left knee) is expected to return to action Tuesday night when New Orleans visits the Los Angeles Lakers. C DeMarcus Cousins (right Achilles tendinitis) remains questionable for the rest of the season.