UNDATED (AP) — The Brooklyn Nets were able to widen their lead in the NBA’s Eastern Conference following the return of one of their stars.
Kevin Durant poured in 33 points on 12 of 21 shooting in 28 minutes off the bench, helping the Nets earn a 128-119 win over the Suns. Durant missed three games after bruising his left thigh early in a loss to Miami last Sunday. He has been limited to just 25 games while the Nets have played a large portion of the season without their Big 3 of Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden in the same lineup.
Irving paced Brooklyn with 34 points and Blake Griffin added 15 as the Nets moved 1 1/2 games ahead of the 76ers.
Devin Booker scored 36 points and Deandre Ayton added 20 with 13 rebounds for the Suns, who are tied for second with the Clippers in the West and two games behind the Jazz.
Checking out Sunday’s other NBA action:
— Lou Williams sank four 3-pointers in the final seven minutes, including a jumper that gave the Hawks their first lead in the second half of a 111-104 win over the Bucks. Bogdan Bogdanovic delivered 32 points and Kevin Huerter (HUR’-tur) scored 20 in Atlanta’s 11th win in 14 games. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points with 14 rebounds, but the Bucks couldn’t complete a season sweep.
— The Hornets had four players score at least 20 points in a 125-104 dismantling of the Celtics. Devonte Graham had 24 points and nine assists, while P.J. Washington chipped in with 22 points and 12 rebounds to help Charlotte pull within 1 1/2 games of Boston for the sixth seed in the East. Terry Rozier had 21 points and 11 assists and Miles Bridges stayed hot with 20 points.
— Stephen Curry scored 37 points and set an NBA record for 3-pointers in a month at 85, leading the Warriors to a 117-113 verdict over the Kings. Curry shot 11 of 21 with seven more 3-pointers after the two-time MVP rolled his right ankle during Friday’s win against Denver. Kelly Oubre Jr.’s jumper with 1:42 left put Golden State ahead 112-111 before Richaun Holmes missed a pair of free throws at the 1:25 mark.
— Ja Morant had 28 points as the Grizzlies beat the Trail Blazers for the second time in three days, 120-113. Jonas Valanciunas added 21 points and 10 boards in his return after missing three games because of concussion protocol. CJ McCollum had 27 points for the Blazers, who have lost five straight and nine of its last 11 to fall to seventh in the West, a half-game ahead of Memphis.
— Bradley Beal scored 33 points and the Wizards earned their eighth straight win by rallying past the Cavaliers, 119-110. Washington tied it at 105 on Beal’s 3-pointer with 4:55 remaining and closed on a 14-5 run. Backcourt mate Russell Westbrook had 14 points, 11 assists and five rebounds, ending his triple-double streak at four.
— Malcolm Brogdon contributed 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the Pacers’ 131-112 pounding of the Magic. Six other Pacers scored in double-figures as Edmond Sumner furnished 21 and Justin Holiday added 20. Indiana outscored Orlando 41-20 in the third quarter of its third straight win.
