NBA wrap: Stephen Curry shines on return, leads Warriors past Grizzlies

Stephen Curry had not played since December 4 due to an ankle injury, returned Saturday to score 38 points in a 141-128 win over the Grizzlies.

Stephen Curry reacts after scoring in the Warriors' 141-128 win over the Grizzlies on Saturday.

Stephen Curry certainly knows how to make an entrance, or at least a re-entrance in this case.

Curry, who had been out since Dec. 4 with an ankle injury, returned Saturday to score 38 points on 10-of-13 shooting from beyond the arc in a 141-128 win over the Grizzlies.

During his scoring barrage, Curry became the only player this season with 35 points entering the fourth quarter while playing fewer than 25 minutes. It was also his 16th career game with at least nine made 3-point field goals, which is the most such games in the NBA over the last 35 seasons.

The Golden State Warriors lit up Memphis on the offensive end from start to finish, posting 78 points in the first half. Golden State kept its foot on the gas in the third quarter, pouring in 38 more points.

Klay Thompson added 21 points for the Warriors, and Kevin Durant scored 20 points with nine rebounds. With the Rockets scuttling, the Warriors (29-8) once again look like the class of the West.

STUD OF THE NIGHT

Magic forward Aaron Gordon scored 39 points on 14-of-22 shooting and seven rebounds in a tough-luck 117-111 loss to the Heat. In just his second game back from injury, Gordon gave Magic fans something to cheer about despite losing the game.

Saturday's NBA wrap: Wizards stifles potent Rockets offense to earn statement win

Pistons center Andre Drummond continued his All-Star form in a 93-79 win over the Spurs by scoring 14 points with 21 rebounds and six assists. Drummond has now posted a double-double in five straight games.

DUD OF THE NIGHT

CJ McCollum was unable to step up in Damian Lillard's absence, scoring 18 points on just 8-of-21 shooting in a 104-89 loss to the Hawks. McCollum is averaging more than 21 points per game this season, but his shooting percentage has taken a bit of a hit.

HIGHLIGHT

Ben Simmons proves defense matters, too:

Ben Simmons flies in to swat away the jump shot!@sixers 31 / @nuggets 29 after Q1 in Denver.

: @NBATV#HereTheyComepic.twitter.com/0wfBNbCHXl

— NBA (@NBA) December 31, 2017

WHAT'S NEXT

Lakers (11-23) at Rockets (25-9) —   Both teams are riding five-game losing streaks, and Houston's knocked out of the top spot in the Western Conference. The Rockets' defense has been abysmal during its recent skid, allowing more than 110 points in four of the five losses. The Lakers last win was at Houston earlier this month.