By Jim Scott
DNAinfo Senior Editor
MANHATTAN — David Lee scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 122-117 win over the New York Knicks in his return to Madison Square Garden on Wednesday.
Lee was playing in New York for the first time since the Knicks traded him to Golden State for three players over the summer. Lee was honored for his time with the team and his charity work with a video tribute during a first-quarter timeout.
"It meant a lot to me, and it was a great feeling," Lee told the Associated Press after the game.
The 6-foot-9 forward was drafted by the Knicks in 2005 and was often their best player during his time in the Big Apple. He improved every year for New York, making the All-Star team last season and averaging 20.9 points and 11.7 rebounds to lead the Knicks.
Lee agreed to a six-year, $80 million contract in a sign-and-trade deal with the Warrors in July. The Knicks traded him for center Ronny Turiaf and forwards Kelenna Azubuike and Anthony Randolph.
New York trailed by as many as 19 points in the game and allowed the Warriors to shoot 53 percent from the floor.
Amar'e Stoudemire scored a season-high 33 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for New York. Wilson Chandler chipped in with 27 points.
Stoudemire committed six turnovers and missed two key free throws with 1:58 to play that could have cut the Warriors lead to one point.
The Knicks have lost three straight after opening the season with a promising 3-2 start.
"We just can't get comfortable with losing. That’s the mentality that we can't have,” Stoudemire told the AP.
