The Oklahoma City Thunder secured their first preseason victory, edging the Indiana Pacers 114-112 in overtime on Tuesday, October 13, at Paycom Center. Zhaire Smith scored seven points in the extra period, including the go-ahead basket with 45.6 seconds remaining, as Oklahoma City improved to 1-3 in preseason play.
Jared McCain led the Thunder with 20 points, making six of his 12 three-point attempts in 19 minutes off the bench. Jalen Williams added 16 points, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 15 points and six assists, shooting 5-of-6 from the field in 23 minutes.
Indiana held a 33-25 lead after the opening quarter, with Tyrese Haliburton setting the pace offensively. The Pacers guard scored 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including four three-pointers, and added three assists in 18 minutes.
Oklahoma City responded in the second quarter, outscoring Indiana 34-28 to enter halftime trailing 61-59. McCain provided a major scoring boost, hitting multiple three-pointers as the Thunder stayed within striking distance despite Indiana’s efficient start.
The teams traded leads after the break, with Oklahoma City taking an 85-84 advantage into the fourth quarter. Neither side could establish control in the final period, and Kobe Brown’s basket with 5.6 seconds remaining tied the score at 100-100, forcing overtime.
Brown finished with 10 points and five rebounds for Indiana, while Ivica Zubac recorded 13 points, 13 rebounds and five assists on 6-of-7 shooting. Kelly Oubre Jr. contributed 12 points, five rebounds and two three-pointers, but the Pacers could not close out the game despite their strong opening quarter.
Oklahoma City’s bench proved decisive in overtime. Smith scored on a pull-up jumper to put the Thunder ahead 104-102, then answered Indiana’s late push with a three-pointer at the 1:14 mark to give Oklahoma City a 112-109 lead.
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Indiana’s Rienk Mast responded with his third three-pointer of the game to tie the score at 112-112 with 1:02 remaining. Smith then delivered the decisive basket, converting a 19-foot pull-up jumper with 45.6 seconds left to put the Thunder ahead 114-112.
The Pacers could not find another basket before the final buzzer. Smith finished with seven points in five minutes, shooting 3-of-3 from the field, while Brooks Barnhizer contributed seven points and two assists, including a three-pointer in overtime.
Oklahoma City finished 48% from the field and 36% from three-point range, compared with Indiana’s 43% overall shooting and 30% from beyond the arc. The Thunder also committed 16 turnovers to Indiana’s 27, a difference that helped Oklahoma City overcome Indiana’s 63-39 advantage in rebounds.
The victory gave Oklahoma City its first win of the preseason after three defeats, while Indiana fell to 1-2.
