The Mercury News

Durant shines in first game at Oracle, his new home arena.

- By Courtney Cronin ccronin@bayareanew­sgroup.com

OAKLAND — Standing at center court with his Golden State teammates by his side, Draymond Green took the microphone prior to Team USA’s 107-57 win over China and ushered in a new era of Warriors basketball.

With Klay Thompson on his right and Kevin Durant on his left, Green introduced the newest Warrior to a standing ovation inside Oracle Arena.

“Obviously it was a USA game but to me it was more about him than anything,” Green said of Durant’s Oracle debut. “Just for him to come

here, play his first game as a member of this team in a USA jersey. Nobody will look at it that way, but that’s history. I’m not sure that’s ever happened. That’s special.”

No doubt the moment was special, albeit a little awkward for Durant after recently playing the villain inside this very building as Golden State trounced Oklahoma City in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals.

But within the first eight seconds of the United States’ third exhibition game, the former MVP showed he needed no introducti­on.

On the opening possession, Durant sank a 3pointer that lit the crowd on fire. He followed up that basket up with seven consecutiv­e points, scoring 10 of the United States’ first 16 before finishing with 13 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal.

“(Kyrie Irving) told me before the tip that he was throwing it to me no matter what,” Durant said. “I knew I was going to pull the first shot since like yesterday. Luckily it went in.”

While their new teammate sparked Team USA’s second straight rout of China, Green and Thompson remained scoreless until the fourth quarter.

“He’s fun to play with,” Thompson, who scored 15 in the fourth quarter, said of Durant. “He doesn’t dominate the ball. He makes it look real easy.”

Green finished with four points, seven rebounds and an assist. Team USA never trailed Tuesday and led by as many as 52. The United States made 14 3-pointers in its second China.

The United States continues to dismantle its opponents with its length. Team USA held China to 20 percent shooting. Turnovers crushed the Chinese from the start, as the United States turned 18 China miscues into 29 points.

While the Durant honeymoon continued for Warriors fans witnessing his debut at Oracle Arena, the exhibition served as a send off for former Warrior Harrison Barnes, who was traded to the Dallas Mavericks following Golden State’s acquisitio­n of Durant.

Barnes finished with seven points on 3-of-6 shooting and added three rebounds and a steal.

“I was really happy the fans could give Harrison (a send off),” Thompson said. “We won a championsh­ip with him and saw his career here, so I was really happy about that.”

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