Durant returns, sparks Nets
Kevin Durant returned from a 23-game absence to spark Brooklyn’s most explosive half of the season, finishing with 17 points and perfect shooting in the Nets’ 139-111 rout of the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night.
Durant came off the bench with about 7 ½ minutes left in the second quarter and by the time the period ended the Nets had 79 points and a 20-point halftime lead. Brooklyn was a sizzling 14 for 18 (78%) in its 43-point quarter.
Durant went 5 for 5 and added seven rebounds and five assists in 19 minutes in his return from a strained left hamstring. He was originally listed in the starting lineup, but was removed in a revised lineup distributed minutes before his first game since Feb. 13.
The All-Star forward got an ovation from the first home crowd he’d played in front of with the Nets. Barclays Center only began allowing limited crowds on Feb. 23.
Kyrie Irving scored 24 points and LaMarcus Aldridge had 22 in the Nets’ ninth straight home win.
Eric Bledsoe had 26 points for the Pelicans before being ejected in the third quarter. Zion Williamson had just 16 on 4-for-12 shooting, ending his streak of 25 straight games with 20 points and 50% shooting. WIZARDS 131, MAGIC 116 » Bradley Beal returned from a five-game absence to score 26 points, Russell Westbrook had his 20th tripledouble of the season and Washington made a season-best 19 3-pointers to beat Orlando.
PACERS 141, TIMBERWOLVES 137 » Aaron Holiday scored 22 points, brother Justin Holiday had 21 and short-handed Indiana beat Minnesota.
ROCKETS 102, MAVERICKS 93 » John Wall had 31 points and seven assists in his return from injury and Houston beat Dallas to snap a five-game skid.
CELTICS 101, KNICKS 99 » Jaylen Brown had 32 points and 10 rebounds and Boston rallied in the fourth quarter to beat New York.
GRIZZLIES 131, HAWKS 113 » Grayson Allen scored 17 of his season-high 30 points in a dominant third quarter, leading Memphis past short-handed Atlanta.
HORNETS 113, THUNDER 102 » Jalen McDaniels had a career-high 21 points in his second career start to help Charlotte beat Oklahoma City.