A GRIEVING Kevin Durant inspired reigning NBA champions the Golden State Warriors to a 112-89 victory against the Indiana Pacers.
On the same day his childhood friend Cliff Dixon was shot to death in Atlanta, Durant posted 15 points and tallied six assists.
Warriors team-mate Stephen Curry scored 12 of his 15 points via four three-pointers during Golden State’s 35-point third quarter on Thursday.
DeMarcus Cousins returned from an ankle injury scored put up 19 points and 1 rebounds, while Andrew Bogut – in his second spell with the Warriors after winning the 2015 championship – received a standing ovation in his first game back in Oakland.
The Pacers, who missed another chance to clinch a playoff spot, were led by Tyreke Evans’ 20 points off the bench. Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 34 points but the Utah Jazz still lost 117-114 to the Atlanta Hawks.
In the final moments, Mitchell missed a 22-foot three-point shot that would have tied the contest with 1.8 seconds remaining as the Hawks snapped the Jazz’s five-game winning streak.
Trae Young led Atlanta’s efforts with 23 points and 11 assists in a double-double display.
Thursday’s results
- Charlotte Hornets 113-106 Minnesota Timberwolves
- Denver Nuggets 113-108 Washington Wizards
- Atlanta Hawks 117-114 Utah Jazz
- Detroit Pistons 118-98 Phoenix Suns
- Sacramento Kings 116-100 Dallas Mavericks
- Golden State Warriors 112-89 Indiana Pacers
Nations Analysis
Get Murray Kinsella’s exclusive analysis of Ireland’s Six Nations campaign this spring
Become a MemberMurray Kinsella and Andy Dunne dissect Ireland’s disappointing Six Nations campaign, and discuss the pros and cons of rugby’s new law proposals in the latest episode of The42 Rugby Weekly:
The42 Rugby Weekly / SoundCloud