With frustration getting the better of him, the OKC centre blew up at the referee and was given a technical foul which led to coach Billy Donovan calling him to the bench.
He remained there for the latter half of the quarter and the opening half of the fourth before getting back to close out the game.
The Thunder started strong on what would be a memorable night for forward Carmelo Anthony, who became the 25th player in NBA history to score 25,000 career points.
OKC rode Anthony's hot hand to a 69-57 half-time lead, before going on to score the opening 17 points on the third quarter.
Their big lead and certain players being in foul trouble allowed Donovan to give his bench an extended run, but it would last as Detroit made a run and brought the lead back to single digits.
Donovan then went back to his starters to close out the win, with All-Star point guard posting his 15th triple double of the season with 31 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists.
The Thunder now hold a seven-match winning streak, and have lost just eight of 29 matches since the start of December.
While they won the match, the Thunder have likely lost defensive guard Andre Roberson for the remainder of the season after he suffered a patella injury in the third quarter and was stretchered off the court. Former Adelaide 36ers guard and NBA rookie Terrance Ferguson is likely to benefit from more court time from his absence.
The Thunder will look to extend their streak to eight tomorrow when they face Australian phenom Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers.
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