Sports
Thunder edge Pacers 114-112 in overtime as Haliburton returns to Paycom Center
Jared McCain scored 20 and Tyrese Haliburton had 24 in his return as Oklahoma City beat Indiana 114-112 in overtime in NBA preseason play.
The Oklahoma City Thunder needed overtime to get their first preseason win as they edged the Indiana Pacers 114-112 on Tuesday night at Paycom Center.
Haliburton returns and McCain heats up
Tyrese Haliburton scored 24 points in about 18 minutes in his return to Oklahoma City and shot 9-of-14 from the field with four threes. Jared McCain led the Thunder with 20 points and made six threes. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 15 points and six assists and Jalen Williams added 16.
Ivica Zubac posted 13 points and 13 rebounds for Indiana. Pascal Siakam struggled through six points on 2-of-11 shooting while Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 12.
Overtime finish
The teams traded the lead through a tight fourth quarter and needed five extra minutes. Zhaire Smith scored seven points in five overtime minutes including the go-ahead basket with 45.6 seconds left as Oklahoma City closed it out 14-12 in the extra period.
Indiana committed 27 turnovers. Oklahoma City forced 14 steals and shot nearly 48 percent from the field.
What is next
Both clubs keep working through the preseason schedule before opening night later this month. The Thunder used the night to push young pieces into a close game and the Pacers got a short but sharp look at Haliburton after his return.
