LOS ANGELES: Stephen Curry made a timely return to finish with 38 points as the Golden State Warriors won their season-high ninth straight game with a 126-118 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday (Friday in Manila).

With Curry on the bench in the fourth quarter, the Wizards cut the Warriors lead to just two, 108-106, but the two-time defending NBA champions pulled away after he re-entered the contest.