Australians in the NBA - Giddey's Thunder hold off Blazers

Josh Giddey has shown his array of skills in the NBA yet again by helping stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams overcome the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Thunder held off a late rally from the Trail Blazers before securing a 128-120 victory on Wednesday.

Gilgeous-Alexander had 37 points while Williams added 31 points in the victory. They were more than ably assisted by Chet Holmgren, who finished with 21 points and a season-high 14 rebounds, and  Giddey.

In 32 minutes of game time, the talented Boomer scored 17 points to go with seven assists and five rebounds.

He came up against fellow Australians Duop Reath and Matisse Thybulle, who both registered 16 points each.

Anfernee Simons (29 points) and Jerami Grant (20 points) were top scorers for the short-handed Trail Blazers, who have been beset by injuries.

Portland managed to close the gap to 112-107 on Simons' layup before Thybulle's 3-pointer got the Blazers within two with 4:05 left. 

But Williams ended the threat with a 3-pointer that made it 116-110. 

Portland saw the return of Grant (right quad) and Thybulle (left hip), who both missed Portland's 119-114 loss at Minnesota on Monday.

Centre Deandre Ayton (sprained right wrist) and Toumani Camara (illness) were ruled out before the game. 

Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said rookie Scoot Henderson was making progress after a left foot sprain and could return by the weekend. 

The Thunder were coming off a 116-104 loss on Monday night to the Los Angeles Lakers, just their second loss in nine games when Gilgeous-Alexander scored just 20 points - ending his streak of eight consecutive 30-point games.

Oklahoma City went into the game in Portland sitting just a half-game behind Western Conference leaders Minnesota in the standings. 

The Thunder built a 51-35 first-half lead after Williams' layup, but Portland pulled to 65-57 at half-time. Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren shared the lead with 16 points apiece in the half. 

There was a scary moment in the second quarter when Oklahoma City's Bismack Biyombo appeared to collapse on the bench. 

It wasn't immediately clear if Biyombo was injured. The 13-year NBA veteran fell as the team went to the sideline during a timeout. He was helped off the court and into the locker room. 

The Thunder said it was not a serious medical condition although Biyombo did not return. 

Simons hit a 3-pointer before Grant's floater got the Blazers within 88-86 late in the third quarter, but the Thunder answered with a 10-0 run to take a 97-87 lead into the final period. 

The Thunder's game at Portland was the last of a four-game road trip.

In other games, the Orlando Magic beat the Washington Wizards 119-109 away, Atlanta defeated Cleveland 112-101 while the 76ers went down 115-109 at home to the Grizzlies.

The LA Clippers posted a 122-116 away win over the Houston Rockets, the Chicago Bulls beat Utah Jazz 119-117 while Golden State thrashed Milwaukee 125-90.

Sacramento were 130-120 winners over the LA Lakers, thanks to De'Aaron Fox's 44 points, to complete Wednesday's action.