Stephen Curry

Playing for the first time in almost six weeks after recovering from a medial collateral ligament sprain, two-time MVP Curry scored 28 points in 27 minutes of action as the Warriors beat the New Orleans Pelicans 121-116 at home to open up a 2-0 advantage in their Western Conference semi-final.

Kevin Durant and Draymond Green also starred for Golden State, the former crucially collecting 15 of his 29 points in the final quarter, but Curry's impressive comeback was the big story at Oracle Arena.

Saturday's matchup between the Celtics and the Warriors was the perfect cliched atmosphere. It felt like a playoff game, the two best guards in the league were battling back and forth in a potential NBA Finals showdown.

But there was nothing cliched about Curry and Irving's performances at Oracle Arena.

Two-time MVP Curry dominated the second half, but did so getting to the line just two times before the final minutes of the game, finishing with 49 points, five assists and four rebounds.

Curry had been out of action since December 4 due to a sprained ankle, but led the scoring with 38 points - including 10 three-pointers - in a 141-128 win for the defending champions on Saturday.

The talismanic guard became the only player this season with 35 points entering the fourth quarter while playing fewer than 25 minutes and he revelled in being back on the big stage.

"I was excited, it felt like the first day of school again, for real." said Curry.

Ball has averaged 8.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists so far this season, shooting 31 per cent from the field and 24.5 per cent from three-point range.

Curry did not really struggle his rookie season, at least not for long. Selected number seven overall in the 2009 draft, he averaged 17.5 points and 5.9 assists per game, while shooting 44 per cent from three-point range.

Ball has been criticised and questioned for some of his performances, but Curry said the 20-year-old just needed time.

Curry, a two-handicap playing on a sponsor's exemption, said earlier in the week he had two goals: to make the cut and "just have fun."

It appeared he was accomplishing the latter at TPC Stonebrae in California, evident by his increasingly loose nature as the round unfolded on the way to a four-over 74 on Thursday.

But making the cut may be another matter. He was three over five holes into his opening round, only one stroke out of last in the field, before rallying to play the last four holes of his front nine in one under and make the turn at two over.

The two-time MVP point guard has accepted an invitation to compete at the Ellie Mae Classic in August at TPC Stonebrae, the PGA Tour announced on Wednesday.

Curry will not have to travel far for the Web.com tour event, with TPC Stonebrae under 30 minutes away from the Warriors' Oracle Arena home.

"We are elated to have Stephen Curry compete in this year's Ellie Mae Classic at TPC Stonebrae," tournament director Trish Gregovich said in a statement.

Ali, who died Saturday (AEST) at age 74, was recalled for his sacrifices and struggles for social justice, as well as his boxing career, by the two giants of the NBA.

The late boxer lost three prime years of his career for his stand against fighting in the Vietnam War before the US Supreme Court vindicated him in 1971.

"When an icon like Muhammad Ali passes away, it's just very emotional," James said.

"It's also gratifying to know that guy, one man, will sacrifice so much of his life knowing it will better the next generation of men and women after him."