MANILA – Kevin Durant’s timely return pushed Brooklyn Nets to a 139-111 triumph over New Orleans Pelicans in the 2020-2021 National Basketball Association Season on Wednesday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Durant – who was sidelined for around two months with straight left hamstring – was efficient in his return after connecting all his five shots for 17 points to go along with seven rebounds and five assists in 18 minutes of action.
Kyrie Irving top-scored with 24 points; LaMarcus Aldridge added 22; and Joe Harris, Chris Chiozza, Jeff Green, and Blake Griffin also finished in double-figures with 14, 12, 11, and 10, respectively, for the Nets (36-16).
Already ahead, 53-44, in the second period behind hits from Griffin, Irving, and Aldridge, the Nets widened the lead to 79-59 at the half with Durant connecting nine points.
Durant added eight more in the third period including back-to-back three-pointers as Brooklyn put the game away for good to build a 120-82 advantage early in the fourth.
Eric Bledsoe tallied 26 points while Zion Williamson and Lonzo Ball added 16 and 15 markers, respectively, for the Pelicans (22-29), which were without Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and Nickel Alexander.
Meanwhile, Houston Rockets (14-37) pulled a stunner after halting the five-game winning streak of the Dallas Mavericks (28-22) with a 102-93 beating.
John Wall made his return from an injury with 31 points; Christian Wood and Kevin Porter added 22 and 14 markers; and while Kelly Olynyk contributed 18 rebounds and 10 points for the Rockets.
Memphis Grizzlies (26-23) cruised to its fourth consecutive victory with a 131-113 rout of Atlanta Hawks (27-25). Greyson Allen finished with season-high 30 points for the Grizzlies.
In other results, Indiana Pacers (23-27) edged Minnesota Timberwolves (13-39), 141-137; Washington Wizards (19-32) won over Orlando Magic (17-35), 131-116; Boston Celtics (26-26) beats New York Knicks (25-27), 101-99; and Charlotte Hornets (26-24) prevailed over Oklahoma City Thunder (20-31), 113-102.
BOX SCORE:
BROOKLYN 139 – Irving 24, Aldridge 22, Durant 17, Harris 14, Chiozza 12, Green 11, Griffin 10, Brown 9, Luwawu-Cabarrot 6, A. Johnson 6, Perry 6, Claxton 4.
NEW ORLEANS 111 – Bledsoe 26, Williamson 16, Ball 15, Thomas 11, Hayes 11, Adams 8, Johnson 7, Hernangomez 6, Marshall 5, Iwundu 3, Gabriel 3.
Quarterscores: 36-33, 79-59, 115-82, 139-111./PN
