NBA Notes: Knicks, Jalen Brunson, Pelicans, Zion Williamson, Warriors

Knicks

Jalen Brunson didn’t ease his way back. He showed up and went right to work.

The Knicks’ star guard returned Wednesday after a week on the shelf with a Grade 1 ankle sprain and put up 28 points, five assists and three rebounds in a gritty 113-111 win over the Mavericks.

Brunson sprained the same ankle on November 12, the one that cost him 15 games last season. The Knicks took the cautious route this time.

Two games out, daily evaluations and no rush. He looked sharp anyway, hitting tough pull-ups, controlling pace and bailing New York out late.

He entered the night at 28 points per game and helped push the Knicks to 9-5,

Pelicans

Zion Williamson was back, and for a night, the Pelicans looked like a team with a pulse again.

Williamson logged 29 minutes in his return from a Grade 1 left hamstring strain. He scored 14 points, grabbed six rebounds and handed out five assists in a 125-118 loss to the Nuggets.

The Pelicans lost their seventh straight, but the energy noticeably changed with Williamson on the floor. He scored six quick points in his opening seven minutes and finished a plus-14.

“It was great,” interim coach James Borrego said, via ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk. “His energy, just having Zion out there for our spirit as a team, as a city, as an organization is phenomenal. We feel like we got a shot every night when he is on the floor.”

Rookie big Derik Queen erupted for a career-high 30 points. Nikola Jokic posted another casual triple-double — 28, 12 and 11 — before fouling out. Denver’s Peyton Watson exploded for 32 and 12.

Queen said Williamson’s presence changed everything: “They keep an eye on him, and they trust me to play my game.”

Williamson didn’t speak with reporters postgame, but Borrego said the plan was built around him and loved his willingness to pass out of pressure.

Warriors

Stephen Curry sat out Wednesday’s 110-96 loss to the Heat with right ankle soreness after tweaking it twice over the past week. The Warriors ruled him out six hours before tip.

Draymond Green (illness) and Jimmy Butler (back) were also out. Buddy Hield fought through an illness to score 18 in 31 minutes.

Golden State is hopeful Curry returns Friday against Portland.

This capped a brutal stretch for the Warriors, who have played a league-high 17 games in the first 29 days — across 12 cities, including five back-to-backs. Jonathan Kuminga remains out with knee tendinitis, and Al Horford rested on the second night of the back-to-back.

The good news? Their next five are at home.