The Indiana Pacers dropped a close 114-112 overtime decision to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a preseason contest on October 13, 2026. The game marked the emotional return of All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton to the Paycom Center floor for the first time since his Achilles injury in last year's NBA Finals.
Haliburton looked sharp in his 17 minutes of action. He put up 24 points on efficient 9-for-14 shooting, including four three-pointers, and added three assists and three rebounds. His performance was a bright spot for Indiana in a back-and-forth affair. The Pacers had their chances but couldn't close it out in regulation.
Oklahoma City's bench made the difference. Rookie Jared McCain came off the pine to score 20 points, hitting six three-pointers. When McCain sat for overtime, Zhaire Smith stepped up with seven points in the extra period. His mid-range jumper with 45.6 seconds left gave the Thunder the lead for good. The loss moves Indiana's preseason record to 1-2, following a win over Minnesota and a close loss to Atlanta.
This was more than a typical preseason game for Tyrese Haliburton. He tore his Achilles tendon on this same court during Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Coming back to that environment and performing at a high level is a significant mental and physical hurdle cleared. Haliburton told reporters after the game that he "felt just like normal" out there, which is the best news Pacers fans could hope for.
His scoring burst and playmaking are the engine of Indiana's high-octane offense. Getting him meaningful, competitive minutes without setback is the primary goal of the preseason. The fact he logged 17 minutes and looked explosive is a very positive sign for the regular season, which starts soon. The team's offensive flow immediately improves with him on the floor.
The game had a concerning moment for the Thunder when rookie Otega Oweh exited in overtime with a leg injury. While the focus for Indiana is on their own players, an opponent's injury in a preseason game is always unfortunate. Oklahoma City will provide updates on Oweh's status. For the Pacers, they emerged from this physical game without any new major injury concerns to report, which is another win during exhibition play.
Indiana has one more preseason tune-up scheduled. They will host the Milwaukee Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 16, 2026. It will be a final opportunity to integrate rotations and build chemistry before the games start to count. The matchup against a Bucks team featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo will provide a stiff test and a good simulation of regular-season intensity.
After that, the focus shifts entirely to the regular season opener. The Pacers will want to build on the positives from Haliburton's return and tighten up their execution in clutch moments. The team's recent preseason results include a 119-117 loss to Atlanta on October 10 and a 123-112 victory over Minnesota on October 7.
