McCain hits six threes as Thunder edge Pacers, 114-112 in overtime

Jared McCain supplied the long-range scoring, and Zhaire Smith finished the final possessions as Oklahoma City outlasted Indiana in a preseason game that needed overtime to separate the teams.

The NBA’s official highlights follow both the early scoring and the reserve-heavy finish at Paycom Center.

The Thunder beat the Pacers 114-112 on Tuesday. McCain led Oklahoma City with 20 points in 19 minutes, making six of 12 three-pointers. Smith scored seven points in overtime, including the pullup jumper with 45.6 seconds remaining that proved to be the game’s final basket.

That closing sequence gave Oklahoma City an answer to two tying shots by Indiana’s Rienk Mast. Smith made a three with 1:14 left to put the Thunder ahead 112-109. Mast responded with his own three at 1:02, tying the game again. Smith then scored from 19 feet, and the Pacers missed their final two field-goal attempts.

Indiana still had an opportunity after Kobe Brown stole the ball from Brooks Barnhizer with 13.7 seconds left. Braden Smith missed an eight-foot pullup with 3.5 seconds remaining, and Zhaire Smith collected the defensive rebound. The final seconds produced no additional points.

The teams reached overtime tied at 100. Indiana had led 61-59 at halftime, while Oklahoma City held an 85-84 advantage after three quarters. Each side spent much of the closing stretch using players competing for minutes beyond the established rotation.

McCain’s shooting provided an earlier lift. All six of his made field goals were threes, and he added two free throws without committing a turnover. Jalen Williams scored 16 points, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 15 points and six assists on 5-for-6 shooting. Aday Mara added 10 points and three blocks.

Tyrese Haliburton led Indiana with 24 points in 18 minutes, making nine of 14 shots and four of six threes. His appearance came after an ankle issue had left his status uncertain earlier in the week. The Oklahoman’s game coverage also noted the significance of his first game back in Oklahoma City since the Achilles injury he sustained there in the 2025 NBA Finals.

Ivica Zubac supplied 13 points, 13 rebounds and five assists for the Pacers. Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 12, and Jay Huff added 11. Indiana collected 19 offensive rebounds, but its 28 total turnovers gave away too many possessions to turn that extra work into a win.

Oklahoma City recorded 14 steals and finished with 16 turnovers. Both teams made 14 threes, though the Thunder needed 39 attempts and the Pacers took 47. The final separation came from the reserves’ execution in overtime rather than another scoring burst from the starters.

For Indiana, Haliburton’s productive return was the clearest development despite the result. For Oklahoma City, McCain’s perimeter contribution and Smith’s closing shots supplied two different reasons to value an exhibition that stayed competitive through its final possession.

Oklahoma City also lost Otega Oweh during overtime. The Oklahoman reported that he needed assistance to the locker room after an apparent right-leg injury and did not return. No diagnosis had been announced.

Sources

ESPN: final box score and full play-by-play, October 13 · Justin Martinez and Jeff Patterson, The Oklahoman: Thunder-Pacers game coverage · Justin Martinez, The Oklahoman: Oweh leaves during overtime