NBA: Curry returns with victory, PG13 decides to leave OKC

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Two-time NBA MVP, Stephen Curry returned to the court on Tuesday to help the Golden State Warriors defeat the New Orleans Pelicans by 121 to 116 in Game 2 of the 2017-18 NBA playoffs. ESPN's Ryen Russillo said on the latest episode of his podcast that Paul George has decided to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Curry returned with five three-pointers

Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a three-point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during Game Two of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on May 1, 2018 in Oakland, California. /VCG Photo

Stephen Curry has been absent from the court since he was hit by a Grade 2 MCL sprain on March 23. He returned from the bench in Game 2 of the second-round series against the Pelicans and lead the game with 28 points, including making five 3-pointers out of ten, seven rebounds and three steals.

This is Curry's second time starting a game from the bench. He played 12 minutes in the first half and scored 12 points by making five shots out of ten. Another interesting fact showing his contributions to the Warriors was that, before he appeared on the court, his teammates had only made 4 in 13 shots; however, when they were playing with Curry, the rest of the team made 12 out of 20 attempts.

As a real game changer, Curry has made a plus-minus of 34 in the game and helped the Warriors gain a 2-0 advantage against the Pelicans in the second round of the playoffs. "He is our culture, he is everything." said his teammate, Andre Iguodala to Tecent Sports after the game.

ESPN reporter: It's a 'he (Paul George)'s gone' deal

Where would Paul George go this summer after a disappointing season at the Oklahoma City Thunder? /VCG Photo

Paul George has decided not to re-sign a new contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder this summer, said Ryen Russillo from ESPN.

"Today is the first time I've heard from anybody that I trust that George is gone... I don't know where. It's a 'he's gone' deal.” Russillo said he has read about the reports that George is willing to consider about staying at OKC, but he believes those are nothing but diplomatic expressions and carry no weight.

George joined the Thunder in summer 2017 to make a super team with Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony. However, after making the lowest points and rebounds in the last three years thanks to a possession reduction on the court, he did not see the team make any breakthroughs and got taken out by the Utah Jazz after six games in the Western Conference playoff.