Durant will return Saturday
Kevin Durant has been medically cleared to resume full practice beginning Friday and is scheduled to play in Saturday’s home game against New Orleans if he experiences no setbacks.
Coach Steve Kerr had been optimistic of Durant’s return from a left knee injury before the end of the regular season, and he will join a Warriors team riding a 13-game winning streak and that just locked up the No. 1 seed in the West with the NBA’s best record for a third straight year.
The Warriors said Durant completed several workouts in recent days.
Golden State’s co-leading scorer and top rebounder, Durant was hurt Feb. 28 at Washington when Marcin Gortat pushed Zaza Pachulia and Golden State’s center fell into Durant, who has missed 19 games since with a Grade 2 MCL sprain and bruised tibia.
HOCKEY
Former Wisconsin star Hilary Knight scored 1 minute, 6 seconds into the game and Kelli Stack added a goal midway through the first period to give the U.S. a cushion that it wasn’t content with in an 11-0 victory over Germany on Thursday night in the women’s hockey world championship semifinals in Plymouth, Mich.
The Americans, who scored five times in the second period and finished with 50 shots, will face Canada for gold on Friday night. They will be shooting to win a fourth straight world championship final against the rival Canadians, who beat them in the 2014 Olympics.
Canada 4, Finland 0: Marie-Philip Poulin had a goal and an assist in a two-plus minute span of second period, helping the Canadians advance to the final.
Minnesota Duluth 2, Harvard 1: Alex Iafallo tipped in Willie Raskob’s shot with 26.6 seconds remaining to lift the Bulldogs over the Crimson in the NCAA Frozen Four semifinals in Chicago.
Marchand suspended: Boston Bruins scoring leader Brad Marchand was suspended for two games for spearing Tampa Bay defenseman Jake Dotchin.
He will lose nearly $110,000 in salary. COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Duke guard Luke Kennard is entering the NBA draft after a breakout sophomore season.
The 6-foot-6 Kennard and said he plans to hire an agent, which means he won’t have the option to return for his junior year.
Kennard averaged 19.5 points and shot nearly 49%, earning a spot on the Associated Press All America second team.
Pearl’s son promoted: Auburn promoted coach Bruce Pearl’s son, Steven, to assistant coach.
Steven Pearl was the Tigers’ director of basketball operations the past two seasons after one year as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. SOCCER
Crystal Dunn scored twice and the U.S. women rolled to a 4-0 exhibition victory over Russia in Frisco, Texas.
Allie Long also scored two goals to give her five for her national team career — all on headers