Oklahoma City have replaced San Antonio atop the NBA's Western Conference after they beat New Orleans 92-88 and the Spurs lost on Wednesday.
The Thunder extended their unbeaten streak to nine matches after they overturned an 11-point second-half deficit to defeat the Hornets.
The result saw Oklahoma City improve their win-loss record to a competition best 18-4, their second best start to a season in franchise history.
Star Thunder forward Kevin Durant was outstanding with 35 points and nine rebounds while Kevin Martin (17 points) and Russell Westbrook (14, nine rebounds) were also noteworthy contributors for the victors.
Four Hornets exceeded double digits in the points column, with Brian Roberts (16) the pick of the bunch.
Utah ended San Antonio's five-match winning streak after a three-pointer from Mo Williams with 1.3 seconds left on the clock sealed a 99-96 win for the Jazz.
Paul Millsap stood out for the victors with 24 points and 12 rebounds and he was ably assisted by Al Jefferson (21).
Tim Duncan almost single-handedly won it for the Spurs with an amazing 22 points and 21 rebounds, while Tony Parker also chimed in with 22 points.
Golden State continued their charge up the Western Conference standings in stunning fashion with a thrilling 97-95 away victory over reigning champions Miami.
Warriors forward Draymond Green scored with 0.9 seconds left in the match and the visitors survived a buzzer-beating attempt from Heat superstar LeBron James, who threw it up from the baseline to no avail.
Klay Thompson (27 points, seven rebounds) was the best for Golden State, who have now won their last five, while David Lee (22, 13) and Jarrett Jack (20) also starred.
James (31) top-scored for Miami and has now hit at least 20 points in his last 25 outings - the longest active NBA streak. Chris Bosh (21, 13) registered a double-double.
The Phoenix Suns upset the Memphis Grizzlies 82-80 after a Goran Dragic lay-up with 0.5 seconds remaining in the encounter decided the nail-biting contest.
Memphis shot out to an 11-point lead early in the second term but Phoenix fought back valiantly to hand the Grizzlies just their fifth loss of the season.
Jared Dudley (15 points, nine rebounds) and Shannon Brown (15, seven) were two of five Suns to score at least 10 points, while Rudy Gay (21, 11) and Zach Randolph (18, 10) both racked up double-doubles for Memphis.
The Los Angeles Clippers made it eight wins in a row with a 100-94 triumph over Charlotte on the back of a Chris Paul double-double that comprised of 19 points and 10 assists.
Byron Mullens was the best for the Bobcats with 19 and eight rebounds.
In other results, Boston edged Dallas 117-115 in a double-overtime thriller, Atlanta defeated Orlando 86-80, Chicago were too good for Philadelphia 96-89 and Brooklyn accounted for Toronto 94-88.
Elsewhere, Milwaukee cruised past Sacramento 98-85, Minnesota pipped Denver 108-105, Indiana had few troubles in dispensing of Cleveland 96-81 while Houston triumphed over Washington 99-93.