NBA News: Kevin Durant returns from injury in Warriors vs Pelicans game on Saturday

The Golden State Warriors could be in full strength a few games before the regular season ends. In the latest NBA news, reports state that the Warriors superstar is due for a comeback on Saturday when his team faces the New Orleans Pelicans.

This is in line with the original estimate of Durant’s return from his knee injury he suffered on Feb. 28 in a game versus the Washington Wizards. Including that game where he played just 93 seconds, Durant has missed a total of 18 games.

According to Marc Stein of ESPN, Durant already joined a Warriors’ five-on-five scrimmage, his first time since suffering from the knee injury. Stein confirmed via league sources that the target date of return is on April 8 when Durant rejoins the Warriors squad facing Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins and the rest of the Pelicans.

“Story going online now: Golden State is targeting Saturday's home date with New Orleans for Kevin Durant's return, league sources say,” the ESPN NBA insider stated via Twitter.

There were speculations early on that Durant would miss the first rounds of the postseason. However, reports surfaced earlier in the week that recovery has been good for Durant and he is already doing some light workouts.

The Warriors initially struggled going 2-5 in the first seven games without its superstar. But it has since recovered and currently on an 11-game winning streak.

Golden State is at 63-14 so far this season with six games remaining in the 2016-2017 NBA season. Two more wins and the Warriors will clinch the top spot in the NBA and will have homecourt advantage throughout the 2017 NBA Playoffs.

The Warriors’ nearest rival for the best record in the league is the San Antonio Spurs, who is three and a half games behind Golden State in the team standings. Assuming the Warriors doesn’t struggle in the final six games, it will end up with the better record than Kawhi Leonard’s team.

If Durant returns on Saturday, he will also play two more games for the Warriors before the NBA Playoffs start. Golden State takes on the Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Lakers to end the regular season.

Getting Durant for a few games before the postseason would be crucial for the Warriors. They can work on their chemistry and Durant can get back his rhythm by the time the first round of the NBA Playoffs begins.

The Warriors is likely paired with either the Denver Nuggets or Portland Trail Blazers in the opening round of the West playoffs.