LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Kevin Durant scored 16 points in his return from injury as the Golden State Warriors won their 14th straight with a 123-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.

Durant also finished with a game-high 10 rebounds and six assists as he played 31 minutes at the Amway Center after missing 19 games with a knee injury.

“I felt good putting my jersey on and running out with the team. It felt normal again,” Durant said.

“I am a basketball player. I love playing basketball. It is my favourite thing to do. To feel part of [this] team and this energy we have feels great.”

The Warriors improved to 66-14 to extend their win streak, which is the longest in the NBA this season. They had already clinched the top seeding in the Western Conference.

They won Saturday despite the absence of Stephen Curry, who was sidelined by a bruised left knee.

The Pelicans (33-47) played minus star big men DeMarcus Cousins (right Achilles tendinitis) and Anthony Davis (sore left knee).

They were also playing the second night of back-to-back games that began with a loss in Denver.

Durant suffered a sprained left knee on February 28.

Meanhwile, Damian Lillard scored a franchise-record 59 points to power the Portland Trail Blazers to a 101-86 victory over the Utah Jazz, also on Saturday.

Lillard broke the club record of 54 points set by Damon Stoudamire in 2005.

The 26-year-old American sank 18 of 34 shots from the field, nine of 14 from three-point range, and 14 of 16 from the foul line in front of a crowd of 19,800 at the Moda Center arena.

It was the second-straight victory for the Trail Blazers who improved to 40-40 on the NBA season.

Their magic number for earning the eighth and final play-off spot in the Western Conference is one. One Portland victory or one Denver loss clinches the berth for the Blazers.