Pro Sports

Durant's triple-double lifts Warriors over Hornets 101-87

Posted December 06, 2017 6:00 am

By STEVE REED

Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant reacts to making a dunk against the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Kevin Durant had 35 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Charlotte Hornets 101-87 on Wednesday night without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.

It was Durant's first triple-double of the season and his second since joining the Warriors before last season.

Klay Thompson scored seven of his 22 points in the fourth quarter for the Warriors, who have won five straight overall and seven in a row against the Hornets.

Curry will be sidelined for about two weeks with a sprained ankle, while Green is nursing a sore shoulder.

It hardly mattered.

Durant set the tone, scoring 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting in the first quarter to help the Warriors build a 26-18 lead. The edge increased to 26 in the second quarter following back-to-back 3-pointers by Nick Young, who had 10 points.

Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 24 points, while Nic Batum added 15 and Dwight Howard 14.

Charlotte's two big men off the bench - Cody Zeller and Frank Kaminsky - both left with injuries and did not return. Kaminsky injured his ankle in the first quarter, and Zeller left in the fourth with a strained left knee.

Charlotte cut the lead to 11 at the end of the third quarter behind 10 points from Batum but didn't make a serious run at the lead thanks to a strong fourth quarter from Thompson.

Golden State (20-6) had 24 fast-break points against a team that had been allowing the second-fewest fast-break points in the league at 7.5 per game.

With Curry out, the Warriors shared duty on bringing the ball up with Durant, Quinn Cook and Andre Iguodala all working as pseudo point guards.

TIP INS

Warriors: Cook got the start at point guard in place of Curry and had eight points and three assists. ... Patrick McCaw did not play because of a bruised nose.

Hornets: Stephen Silas coached with Steve Clifford out indefinitely while dealing with a health issue. ... Charlotte attempted one free throw in the first half after attempting 40 on Monday night against the Orlando Magic.

UP NEXT

Warriors: Visit Pistons on Friday night.

Hornets: Host Bulls on Friday night.

___

More AP basketball: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

Charlotte Hornets' Kemba Walker (15) drives past Golden State Warriors' Kevin Durant (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) The Associated Press

Golden State Warriors' Andre Iguodala (9) passes the ball past Charlotte Hornets' Frank Kaminsky during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) The Associated Press

Charlotte Hornets' Frank Kaminsky, right, is poked in the eye by Golden State Warriors' Shaun Livingston (34) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. Kaminsky left the court after injuring his ankle on the play. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) The Associated Press

Charlotte Hornets' Marvin Williams (2) drives past Golden State Warriors' Quinn Cook (4) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) The Associated Press

Charlotte Hornets' Michael Carter-Williams (10) drives past Golden State Warriors' Andre Iguodala (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) The Associated Press

Charlotte Hornets' Cody Zeller (40) is fouled by Golden State Warriors' David West (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) The Associated Press

Golden State Warriors' Nick Young (6) reacts to making a basket against Charlotte Hornets' Jeremy Lamb (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) The Associated Press

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