Josh Giddey has returned from injury to help Oklahoma City to victory over the west's best, while the Detroit Pistons lost again to set an NBA single-season record for most successive defeats.
Another Australian star also had a memorable evening, with Duop Reath - who started the season waived - stepping up with a career-best performance for Portland in their win over high-flying Sacramento.
Boomer Giddey, who missed Christmas Eve's loss to the LA Lakers with a sprained left ankle, was back in the Thunder's starting lineup and contributed 10 points as they overcame Western Conference leaders Minnesota 129-106.
