Kevin Durant returns, but Thunder fall to Anthony Davis and Pelicans

The Thunder welcomed back Kevin Durant on Tuesday, but Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans gave the reigning MVP a glimpse of the uphill climb Oklahoma City faces the rest of the season.

Davis totaled 25 points, 10 rebounds, six steals and four blocks, and the Pelicans never trailed in the second half en route to a 112-104 victory over the finally healthy Thunder.

Durant was aggressive in his first game of the season following right foot surgery in October and showed flashes of being in midseason form. He finished with 27 points on 9-of-18 shooting and played nearly 30 minutes.

The Thunder went 5-12 with Durant sidelined, and while hopes are high with their projected starting lineup back on the court, they still sit near the bottom of the competitive Western Conference.

Davis received plenty of help from his teammates as New Orleans convincingly snapped a three-game slide. Tyreke Evans led all scorers with 30 points, while Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson both recorded double-doubles.

[SportsNetwork.com]