NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 23 points in his return from a two-game absence and the Golden State Warriors beat the New Orleans Pelicans, 111-95, on Friday night, March 28.

Coming back from a March 20 pelvic bruise, Curry played 34 minutes and made just 7 of 21 shots, but also hit five 3-pointers.

Jimmy Butler had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Jonathan Kuminga added 16 points for the Warriors, now 1-2 on what could be a pivotal six-game road trip as they try to earn a top-six seeding in the Western Conference and bypass the play-in.

Bruce Brown scored 18 for injury-depleted New Orleans, which played without four starters including Zion Williamson (lower back).

Yves Missi had 12 points and 10 rebounds, the rookie center’s 12th double-double.

The Pelicans led by as many as 12 points in the first quarter. Brandin Podzienski and Curry each hit 3s during an 8-0 Warriors run to open the third, and Golden State maintained the lead for nearly the entire second half.

Warriors: Golden State came out flat and got away with it on a night that a rookie center was the only usual starter available for their opponent. Draymond Green fouled out with 3:15 to go.

Pelicans: New Orleans dropped to 1-3 in the four recent games Williamson had missed. Still, the Pelicans turned in a feisty and competitive performance with a lineup comprised mainly of usual reserves. Elfrid Payton, who has played in just 16 games this season, had 10 assists.

Meanwhile, OG Anunoby scored 20 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and the New York Knicks defeated Milwaukee, 116-107, to hand the Bucks their third consecutive loss.

Mikal Bridges added 26 points for the Knicks, who took the lead for good less than four minutes into the game. Josh Hart had 13 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in his return after missing one game with a sprained left foot. Kyle Kuzma and Ryan Rollins added 20 points apiece, with Rollins getting a career high.

New York won all three of its regular-season meetings with the Bucks and could see them again in the first round of the playoffs. In the two matchups at New York, the Knicks rolled to a 116-94 victory on Nov. 8 and a 140-106 triumph on Jan. 12. New York is third and Milwaukee sixth in the East.

In Minneapolis, Julius Randle scored 25 points, Anthony Edwards finished with 20 after missing the second quarter due to injury and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Phoenix Suns, 124-109.

The Timberwolves completed a four-game season sweep of the Suns. Minnesota has won its last seven against Phoenix, dating to last year’s postseason.

Edwards was hit in the face by Phoenix’s Kevin Durant with 2:43 to play in the first quarter. Edwards attempted to intercept a pass intended for Durant, whose arm caught Edwards in the nose. Edwards fell to the ground in pain and remained down for a minute before being escorted to the locker room.

In New York, Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points and the Los Angeles Clippers overwhelmed the Brooklyn Nets, 132-100, for their second straight victory and 10th in 12 games as they fight to hold on to sixth place in the Western Conference.

Leonard was 5 of 6 from 3-point range, 10 of 14 overall from the field and made all six of his free throws. He also had six rebounds, four steals and two blocks in just under 27 minutes.

Ivica Zubac scored 21 points on 9-for-9 shooting and had 12 rebounds for Los Angeles. James Harden added 17 points.

In Toronto, Jakob Poeltl had 24 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Raptors to their third straight win, a 108-97 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.

Immanuel Quickley scored 19 points on 6-for-15 shooting, including 5 for 8 from 3-point distance, and added nine assists.