The Golden State Warriors superstar, Stephen Curry, has been cleared to finally make his long-awaited NBA return. He was given the go-head Wednesday to play for the Warriors against reigning NBA champions the Toronto Raptors on Thursday.
The 31-year-old two-time NBA MVP and three-time NBA Championship winner has been sidelined since October due to a broken hand.
As part of his recovery, he’s been working out with the Golden State’s G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors. He’s reported to have averaged 20.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
He trained with them on Monday and his clearance to get back into the big time followed shortly afterwards.
Much was expected of Curry at the start of this season. This was especially so as Klay Thompson was out with an injury and Kevin Durant took leave of the Warriors when he became a free agent.
Unfortunately Curry lasted only three games. In is 4th on October 30, 2019, Curry collided with Aron Baynes of the Phoenix Sun when driving at the basket. Baynes fell awkwardly on Curry’s left hand. Surgery was required to repair a broken second metacarpal and he’s been out ever since.
Antetokounmpo also back
In the meantime, Giannis Antetokounmpo is also back – but with a difference. The Greek giant did his 2020 MWP claims the world of good when leading his NBA front-runners, the Milwaukee Bucks, to a 119-100 victory over the Indiana Pacers.
The Bucks – and Antetokounmpo – were stunned by the Miami Heat on Monday but they hit back with a vengeance on Wednesday.
Antetokounmpo – held to just 13 points by the Heat –posted 29 points with12 rebounds and six assists against the Pacers.
Khris Middleton also contributed 20 points to the Bucks score, ensuring that they still have yet to lose a back-to-back game this season. With a win-loss record of 53-9, they remain way out on front of all their NBA rivals.
Doncic breaks triple double record
Meanwhile, Luka Doncic broke the Dallas Mavericks’ triple-double record after helping inspire a 127-123 overtime-win against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Surpassing Jason Kidd with 30 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists for the Mavericks in Dallas, the 21-year-old Slovenian international, recorded his 22nd career triple-double.
Mavs team-mate Kristaps Porzingis – the first player with back-to-back games of 30-plus points and five or more blocks since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000 – also starred. He put up 34 points and 12 rebounds, while Pelicans rookie Zion Williams scored 21 points and Brandon Ingram had 27.
Sexton sizzles with 41 points
Collin Sexton posted a career-high 41 points for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Boston Celtics. It wasn’t enough, though, to stop the Cavaliers losing 112-106. Sexton has now tallied double-digit points in 33 consecutive games. Jayson Tatum had 32 points for the Celtics.
Bradley Beal extended his streak of 25-plus points to 20 successive games. He finished with 29 points but his Washington Wizards fell to the Portland Trail Blazers 125-104.
Portland’s starters all registered double-digit points – Carmelo Anthony (25), Damian Lillard (22), CJ McCollum (22), Hassan Whiteside (24) and Trevor Ariza (15).
The New York Knicks lost 112-104 to the Utah Jazz despite Julius Randle shining for the Nicks with 32 points and 11 rebounds.
Melli and Kleber struggled
Nicolo Melli had a tough night with the Pelicans. He had just one of nine from the field and one of seven from three-point range for three points in 26 minutes.
Mavs forward Maxi Kleber also struggled. He was two of eight from the field, while he only made one of his four attempts from beyond the arc in a five-point display.
And Brooklyn also battled
The Brooklyn Nets endured a forgettable outing. Brooklyn were just 30 of 90 from the field as a team when they were humbled 118-79 at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Spencer Dinwiddie headlined Brooklyn’s woes. With just four points after going one of nine from the field, he also missed all seven of his three-pointers.
Wednesday’s results
Milwaukee Bucks 119-100 Indiana Pacers
Boston Celtics 112-106 Cleveland Cavaliers
Oklahoma City Thunder 114-107 Detroit Pistons
Miami Heat 116-113 Orlando Magic
Memphis Grizzlies 118-79 Brooklyn Nets
Utah Jazz 112-104 New York Knicks
Minnesota Timberwolves 115-108 Chicago Bulls
Dallas Mavericks 127-123 New Orleans Pelicans (OT)
Portland Trail Blazers 125-104 Washington Wizards
Raptors at Warriors
All eyes will be on Thursday’s clash between defending champions the Toronto Raptors (43-18) and the Golden State Warriors (14-48).
Warriors super star Stephen Curry is, of course, make his long-awaited return from injury. The two-time MVP has been sidelined since October due to a broken hand.