© Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
OAKLAND — Tuesday night’s contest between the Warriors and visiting New Orleans Pelicans may as well have started at the 4:20 mark in the first quarter. Everything before that was a prelude for the main act: Stephen Curry’s long-awaited return.
It went as well as the Warriors could have hoped. They won 121-116 to extend their Western Conference Semifinals lead to 2-0.
Tuesday was the first time Curry had played since March 23, as he has spent the past five weeks recovering from a Grade 2 left MCL sprain. With the Warriors trailing the Pelicans 18-11 upon his initial appearance, Curry walked onto the floor to a raucous, standing ovation.
Eleven seconds later, Oracle Arena’s bellows reverberated after Curry drilled a 29-foot three-pointer from a Draymond Green pass. This was like a wounded general returning to the frontlines— only this battle was in Curry’s backyard.
There was no patience. There was no timidity. Curry shot out of a cannon to produce 11 points in fewer than seven minutes.
Late in the first quarter, Curry dribbled off his foot and retreated to grab the ball before it skipped beyond half-court. He calmly collected the ball, took a couple steps toward the basket, and launched a 32-foot three-pointer — with 14 seconds remaining on the shot clock. Swoosh.
It was the most appropriate return for a player who has pushed the boundaries — literally — for what is considered acceptable shot selection. After coming off the bench to start the game, Curry dazzled from start to finish, showing no lingering signs from the knee injury that sidelined him the previous 16 games, including the opening round of the playoffs.
Curry scored 28 points in 27 minutes. The Warriors outscored the Pelicans by 26 points when he was in the game.
Golden State may very well be the best team in the NBA without their two-time MVP. But its offense had stagnated with Curry watching from the bench in the opening seven minutes of the game.
From Curry’s first offensive possession onward, the offensive dynamic changed, forcing the New Orleans defense to magnetize to him wherever he roamed. He opened up dribbling lanes for Green to exploit before finding open shooters. Golden State narrowed the first quarter deficit to two points by the end of the opening period.
Throughout recent days, the Pelicans have reiterated they wouldn’t change their approach despite Curry’s return. They appeared unfazed Tuesday night, matching every Golden State run with an answer. Even when Klay Thompson’s three-pointer banked in to close the half, and the Warriors shot out to a 5-0 run to start the third quarter, the Pelicans responded. New Orleans erased an eight-point deficit to tie the game fewer than five minutes into the second half.
The rest of the game featured two offensive juggernauts trading blows. Pelicans star forward Anthony Davis asserted himself after a ‘quiet’ 21-point, 10-rebound Game 1 performance. He produced 25 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocked shots, which don’t represent the number of shots he altered. New Orleans complemented Davis with a well-dispersed attack. All five starters scored in double digits.
Green drilled consecutive three-pointers to start the fourth quarter, extending the Warriors’ lead to eight. He finished with 20 points, 12 assists, and nine rebounds.
Gradually, the Warriors distanced themselves, largely via Andre Iguodala’s finishing and Kevin Durant’s shot-making. The four-time scoring champion finished with 29 points.
Ultimately, the Warriors were too much to handle offensively. The 121-116 win extended their Western Conference Semifinals lead to 2-0, with the series heading to New Orleans.
Tuesday night marked the return of normalcy in Oakland, with MVP chants blanketing Curry during free throws, and Golden State triumphing behind No. 30.