Klay Thompson returned from a two-game absence to score 39 points as the Golden State Warriors bounced back from their worst loss of the season to beat the Denver Nuggets 122-105 on Friday night.

Thompson sat out the 128-95 home defeat to the Boston Celtics earlier this week because of a knee problem but returned in inspired form as the top two teams in the Western Conference went head to head, shooting nine three-pointers.

Kevin Durant added 26 points and six assists while DeMarcus Cousins returned 13 points, six rebounds, six assists, six blocked shots and three steals.

Terrence Ross scored 22 points and Nikola Vucevic had 20 points and 13 rebounds – his 48th double-double of the season – as the Orlando Magic won 111-106 against the Dallas Mavericks.

Dirk Nowitzki, who finished with 15 points, moved up to third place in the all-time games played standings (1,505) in NBA history. The 40-year-old now has just Robert Parish (1,611) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1,560) ahead of him.

James Harden recorded 31 points and added 10 rebounds as the Houston Rockets extended their winning streak to a season-best seven games with a 107-91 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points to help the Toronto Raptors end a two-game losing run with a 127-104 win over New Orleans Pelicans. Kyle Lowry added a triple-double with 13 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds.

Marvin Williams produced a season-high 30 points and career-high seven three-pointers as the Charlotte Hornets held on in the closing seconds for a 112-111 victory against the Washington Wizards.

Blake Griffin sunk 27 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, as the Detroit Pistons rallied from a 21-point deficit to down the Chicago Bulls 112-104 for their fourth straight win.

Mike Conley returned 28 points and 11 assists and Jonas Valanciunas added 27 points as the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Utah Jazz 114-104.

Lou Williams' 40-point haul helped the Los Angeles Clippers overcome the Oklahoma City Thunder 118-110 while the Miami Heat scored 10 straight in the fourth quarter to pull away from the Cleveland Cavaliers for a 126-110 win.