Thunder edge Pacers 114-112 in overtime as Haliburton shines
Key takeaways
- The Thunder beat the Pacers 114-112 in overtime on Tuesday night.
- Tyrese Haliburton scored 24 points in his return to Oklahoma City.
- OKC won its first preseason game after three straight losses.
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers 114-112 on Tuesday night. The game went to overtime. It took place at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
The result was a preseason game. It did not count in the standings. But it still meant a lot.
It was a rematch of the 2025 NBA Finals.
The night belonged to Tyrese Haliburton. He returned to the arena where he got hurt. He played like his old self.
He scored 24 points in the first half alone.
What happened
Indiana started fast. The Pacers led 33-25 after the first quarter. Haliburton set the tone early.
He scored 11 points in the first seven minutes. He made all four of his shots in that run.
The Pacers led 61-59 at half time. Haliburton had all 24 of his points by then. He shot 9-for-14 from the field.
He made 4 of 6 shots from three-point range.
Indiana then sat its regular starters. The team subbed all of them out after half time, according to IndyStar. The bench played the second half.
OKC fought back in the third quarter. The Thunder led 85-84 after three quarters. Jared McCain led the bench push.
He scored 20 points in the game. He made six three-point shots.
The fourth quarter was tight. The game was tied 100-100 at the end of regulation. Kobe Brown tied it with a layup and a foul.
He missed the free throw. That sent the game to overtime.
Overtime was close too. OKC scored 14 points in the extra period. Indiana scored 12.
The Thunder held on for a 114-112 win.
The Haliburton story
Haliburton had not played in this building since Game 7 of the 2025 Finals. He tore his Achilles tendon in that game. The injury kept him out for all of last season.
He had also missed time this preseason. He tweaked his ankle in the opener on October 7. He missed the next preseason game, according to IndyStar.
Tuesday was his first game back in Oklahoma City since the injury. He did not look rusty. He was the best player on the floor, according to IndyStar.
He scored in every way. He hit threes. He drove to the rim.
He set up teammates. He also blocked two shots.
He played only the first half. He sat for the whole second half. The Pacers were careful with him.
The plan worked. He looked healthy and sharp.
His return is big news for Indiana. The Pacers lost the Finals without him. They now have their star guard back.
He looks ready for the real season.
Why it matters
The win was OKC's first of the preseason. The Thunder had lost their first three games. They are now 1-3 in preseason play.
Jared McCain led the Thunder with 20 points. He shot 6-for-13 from the field. He made 6 of 12 three-point shots.
He played 18 minutes off the bench.
Jalen Williams added 16 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 15 points. Gilgeous-Alexander had 15 points and five assists at half time alone.
Rookie Aday Mara gave OKC a lift too. He scored 10 points. He grabbed four rebounds.
He blocked three shots. He played 18 minutes off the bench.
The Thunder also lost a rookie to injury. Otega Oweh left the game in overtime. He needed help to walk off the floor.
He did not put weight on his right foot. He went straight to the locker room, according to The Oklahoman.
Oweh was the 41st pick in June's draft. He played at Kentucky before the NBA. The team has not yet given an update on his injury.
For Indiana, the game was about more than the score. The Pacers were short-handed. Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith were out.
T.J. McConnell and Jarace Walker missed the game too.
Ben Sheppard and Kelly Oubre started in their place. The Pacers still led at half time. Their bench then played the second half.
Ivica Zubac stood out for Indiana. He scored 13 points. He grabbed 13 rebounds.
He added five assists. All three marks were preseason highs, according to IndyStar.
Zubac is new to the Pacers. He is building chemistry with Haliburton. Tuesday was a good sign.
He set screens for Haliburton. He grabbed boards. He gave the team a strong paint presence.
Jay Huff added 11 points off the bench. He made three three-point shots. He played 13 minutes in the second half.
What happens next
OKC finishes preseason on the road. The Thunder play at Houston on Thursday at 7:30 PM CT. That is their last preseason game.
Indiana played its second-to-last preseason game on Tuesday. The Pacers will soon turn to the real season. Haliburton looks ready for it.
Both teams will watch Oweh's injury news. The rookie was hurt in overtime. The Thunder will hope it is minor.
The regular season starts in about a week. Tuesday gave both teams a useful test. OKC got its first win.
Indiana got its star back.
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