Stephen Curry Returns To Score 28 In Golden State Victory Over New Orleans

Warriors Have Beaten Pelicans the 6-Consecutive Times In Last Two Playoffs Series Between the Teams.

Stephen Curry of Golden State Warriors, center, dribbles to get out in front of Solomon Hill, left, and Ian Clark, right, of the New Orleans Pelicans in the first quarter at The Oracle in Oakland, Calif. Publicity Agents photo art by T. Ray Harvey. May 1, 2018.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Oakland, Calif. — With all the hype swirling around the return of Stephen Curry, it was no doubt that Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Golden State Warriors would have a different feel to it.

Curry, sidelined with a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee since March 23, did not disappoint. He had 28 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and three steals in 26 minutes as the Warriors beat New Orleans 121-116 in Game 2.

“Real eager as of late trying to get back out there and be with my teammates, and you know, do what I love to do,” Curry said following the game. “It was a good feeling. The crowd was crazy. We did what we needed to do in these last two games, going up 2-0.”

Kevin Durant had 29 points, seven assists, and six rebounds, three blocked shots, and two steals for the Warriors (20-), who have beaten the Pelicans six-straight times in their last two meetings of the playoffs.

Draymond Green added 20 points, 12 assists, nine rebounds, and two blocked shots. Andre Iguodala had 15 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and a blocked shot. Iguodala is now tied (29) with Manute Bol for eighth on the Warriors all-time playoff block list.

Anthony Davis has 25 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, three blocked shots, and two steals. Jrue Holiday finished with 24 points and eight assists while Rajon Rondo added 22 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds, and five steals for the Pelicans (0-2).

Curry did not start the game, but entered in the game with standing ovation at the 4:20 mark of the first quarter when the Warriors down 18-11. He made a 3-point shot on his first attempt as soon as he touched the basketball.

“Just him walking out on the floor, you know, it was kind of electric in there and for him to hit that three that fast,” Green said of Curry. “It brought a lot of life to the building and a lot of light and spirit. Pretty fitting for sure.”

In nearly 12 minutes Curry made 5 of 10 shots for 12 points, including two 3-pointers for the Warriors in the first half. Golden State led 58-55 at the break. The Pelicans did lead 27-18 on a basket by Solomon Hill late in the second quarter.

There were 11 lead changes and eight ties in the first half.

Curry didn’t start the second half, either. But when the score was tied at 65-65, he checked in with 7:22 left to play in the third quarter. The game was tied, 68-68, for the ninth time when Curry made a trey 30 seconds later.

The Warriors had an (8-point) lead in the third quarter, but the Pelicans made a dash to trail 88-86 after 36 minutes of play. New Orleans made it a point of emphasis that they were not going anywhere.

The Pelicans stayed with the Warriors every step of the way, despite letting Golden State go up 94-86 early in the fourth. When New Orleans closed within 99-98 on a 3-pointer by Rando, the Warriors put together a 20-6 run to make the score 119-106, their biggest spread of the game.

The Pelicans made their final run to cut the Warriors margin 119-113 by six on a 3-point basket by Davis with 35.9 seconds left, but Golden State’s defense prevented any further activities. The Pelicans were pleased with their performance in Game 2, but Game 3 on their turf is what they need right now.

The Warriors made 22 of 27 shots from the free-throw line while the Pelicans made 9 of 7 from the charity stripe. That was the difference in the ball game.

“We made a lot of improvements,” Rondo said. “We were able to execute those for the most part of the game. They were able to control the pace by getting to the line. If we can get to the line we can control the pace.”

Beyoncé and Jay-Z at the Golden State Warriors/New Orleans Pelicans game at The Oracle in Oakland, Calif. Publicity Agents photo art by T. Ray Harvey. April 28, 2018.

By T. Ray Harvey | PA Public Information Officer and Photographic Artist

Twitter: Tony Ray Harvey @PublicityAgents

Email: infopublicityagents@gmail.com

T. Ray (Antonio) Harvey is a Public Information Officer and Photographic Artist for Publicity Agents. Harvey is also the author of The HOMICIDAL HANDYMAN OF OAK PARK: MORRIS SOLOMON JR.