photo from nba.com: Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry made his return in game 2 of the NBA Playoffs Wednesday night at Oracle Arena against the visiting New Orleans Pelicans

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Tuesday, May 01, 2018

After five weeks off due to injuries, Steph Curry returned to the Golden State Warriors in grand fashion on Tuesday at Oracle Arena, bagging 28 points in 26 minutes off the bench, helping Golden State defeat New Orleans 121-116.

The Warriors have a 2-games-to-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinal best-of-seven.

Warriors Coach Steve Kerr chose not to start Curry, going with Nick Young instead. Curry entered the game with 4:20 left in the first quarter, receiving a rousing ovation. Curry, who missed five weeks with a sprained MCL in his left knee, sank a 3-pointer with his first shot and rolled on from there.

Kevin Durant led the Warriors with 29 points, hitting 5-of-6 in the fourth quarter. Draymond Green contributed 20 points, nine boards and 12 assists.

Klay Thompson suffered through an off-night, hitting 4-of-20 shooting – 2-of-11 behind the arc – finishing with 10 points. But the Warriors’ bench made up for it, outscoring the Pelicans’ reserves 44-13.

New Orleans received strong production from its core – Jrue Holiday scored 24 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out eight assists in 46 minutes; Anthony Davis finished with 25 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, two steals and three blocks; Nikola Mirotic fouled out with 18 points and nine boards; and Rajon Rondo added 22 points, seven rebounds and 12 assists.

As an aside, Green and Rondo were seen having words going to the locker rooms at halftime. On TNT, Charles Barley said, “I just want somebody to punch him in the face.”

Upon learning what Barkley said, Green felt that if Barkley wants someone to do that, then Barkley should be the one.

“If you’re not going to punch me in the face when you see me, then shut up,” Green said.

The series resumes in New Orleans on Friday night.