Injured New Zealand star Steven Adams watched from the sidelines as his NBA team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, beat the Charlotte Hornets 110-103 on the road.
Enes Kanter, Adams' new team-mate and competitor for the centre spot, grabbed a double double on debut for the Thunder, Kanter scoring 10 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.
The win's taken eighth-placed Oklahoma to within four games of seventh-placed playoff rivals San Antonio, with two head-to-head games to come between the Thunder and the Spurs.
Adams faces some competition for minutes from Kanter, who joined Oklahoma from the Utah Jazz.
Steven Adams (R) playing against Enes Kanter and the Utah Jazz. Photo: AFP
The Thunder sent back-up point guard Reggie Jackson to the Detroit Pistons and veteran centre Kendrick Perkins to the Jazz, in return for Kanter, point guard DJ Augustin, and forwards Kyle Singler and Steve Novak.
Kanter is a strong offensive player, averaging 13.8 points and 7.8 rebounds in 27.1 minutes a game this season and is likely to split minutes at centre with Adams.
Adams is currently out injured after surgery on his right wrist that was expected to keep him out for at least three weeks.
