Report: Warriors plan for Durant to return Saturday vs. Pelicans

The hottest team in the league is about to get even scarier.

The Golden State Warriors are targeting Saturday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans as the return date for Kevin Durant, sources told ESPN's Marc Stein.

Durant has sat since Feb. 28 after suffering a sprained MCL and tibial bone bruise. The original prognosis had the 2014 MVP missing 4-6 weeks, allowing an April 8 return fall neatly within that timeline.

The video evidence speaks for itself. Durant looked spry and springy while he worked out prior to Sunday's win over the Washington Wizards.

The Warriors have found their stride following a brief adjustment period in the wake of Durant's injury. Stephen Curry's resurgence, followed by impressive performances from Andre Iguodala and Matt Barnes, have spawned an 11-game win streak over the most difficult stretch of the Warriors' season.

Having Durant back might initially disrupt their rhythm, but that's hardly any concern. The Warriors are almost guaranteed home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, so sacrificing a few games to acclimate Durant before the postseason should be of little concern.

Durant averaged 25.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.6 blocks in 33.6 minutes per game while shooting 53.7 percent from the field before his injury.