Malone scored a season-high 39 points as the Utah Jazz defeated the Golden State Warriors, 111-101, in the opener of a four-game homestand.
Malone left in the fourth quarter of Friday's 102-86 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers with a hyperextended left knee, fueling speculation he would sit out Saturday. But he was back in the starting lineup and played 40 minutes, making 14-of-27 shots and 10-of-11 free throws.
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from Warriors-Jazz: 56k | 300k  DeShawn Stevenson wrestles the ball away from Larry Hughes. Kent Horner NBAE/Getty Images |
The future Hall of Famer has missed just three games due to injury in his career and has not sat out with an injury since December 18, 1991.
Donyell Marshall added 21 points for the Jazz, who have put together their first three-game winning streak of the season. John Stockton collected 15 points and 13 assists for Utah.
Larry Hughes scored 26 points to lead four players in double figures for Golden State, which has dropped six of its last seven.
The Jazz shot 53 percent (42-of-59) from the field and made 25-of-27 free throws. Utah ran its patented motion offense to near perfection, picking up 30 assists.
Golden State committed 24 turnovers that the Jazz converted into 23 points.
The Warriors were porous on defense in the first half, allowing Utah to open a 62-51 halftime lead. The Jazz stretched their advantage to 70-56 on Marshall's dunk with 9:38 left in the third period before Golden State made several runs.
The Warriors twice pulled within four points in the third period, the second time at 82-78 on Erick Dampier's free throw with a minute left. Malone made a pair from the line 12 seconds later to give Utah a six-point edge entering the fourth quarter.
Malone's dunk capped a 6-0 spurt that made it 93-83 with eight minutes left. Danny Fortson's layup pulled the Warriors within 99-96 with 3:24 to go, but Golden State got no closer.
Jason Richardson scored 18 points and Antawn Jamison added 14 for the Warriors, who shot 46 percent (34-of-74).