Oklahoma City Thunder celebrated the return of their Canadian star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from injury with a hard-fought overtime victory over visiting Denver Nuggets and their Serbian giant Nikola Jokić, 127-121, on Friday in the NBA.

Gilgeous-Alexander, last season's league MVP, scored 36 points in under 34 minutes before sitting out overtime after returning from an abdominal muscle strain that sidelined him for nine games. He said: "I felt good. I'm just grateful to be back playing."

Canadian Jamal Murray scored 39 points for the Nuggets, while Jokić tallied 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 14 assists, leading his team to a lead of up to 16 points in a tense, physical matchup.

Thunder center Luguentz Dort was ejected for a flagrant foul after taking down Jokić, sparking a scuffle where Jokić and Thunder's Jalen Williams each received two technical fouls.

Thunder trailed 77-83 entering the fourth but led 107-105 with 1:23 left in regulation. Jokić tied it 38 seconds from the end, and Christian Braun's clutch block on Gilgeous-Alexander forced overtime, where Thunder scored the first five points to hold on and strengthen their Western Conference lead (46-15), two games ahead of San Antonio Spurs.

Thunder's Chet Holmgren said: "It was a great game. You always want to play against the best players and best teams, and they came out fierce tonight."

Pistons Edge Cavaliers in Overtime Thriller

Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons notched a tough 122-119 overtime win over visiting Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs led by nine with under three minutes left in regulation, but Pistons rallied, tying it with three free throws from Denis Jenkins after Jalon Tyson fouled him on a half-court heave.

Detroit scored the first six in OT to secure the win. Jalen Duren led with 33 points and 16 rebounds, Cade Cunningham added 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists before fouling out late. Cleveland's Jarrett Allen scored 25, Evan Mobley 23 points and 12 rebounds, without new arrival James Harden (thumb fracture, second game out) and scorer Donovan Mitchell (strained groin).

Pistons improved to 43-14, five games clear of Boston Celtics atop the East.

Boston Celtics Crush Brooklyn Nets 148-111 in Dominant Offensive Display

Boston Celtics delivered a crushing 148-111 victory over visiting Brooklyn Nets, bouncing back from their recent Denver loss with scorching offensive efficiency, shooting 66.7% from the field.

Celtics' Offensive Explosion

Jaylen Brown and Montenegrin Nikola Vučević each scored 28 points, while the team drained 22 of 34 three-pointers in a clinic-like performance.

Knicks Dominate Bucks

In Milwaukee, New York Knicks cruised to a 127-98 win over the Bucks, staying just 1.5 games behind Celtics in the Eastern Conference race.

  • Jalen Brunson led with 27 points; OG Anunoby added 24.

  • Seven Knicks scored 10+ points, avenging their prior Cleveland loss.

  • Bucks, on an 8-2 run in last 10, missed Giannis Antetokounmpo (leg strain); Myles Turner led with 19 points (18 in Q1).

Knicks seized control early with Brunson's 22 first-quarter points, leading 77-57 at halftime and stretching to a 32-point margin.