OKC Came Back From 20 Down. Then an Injury Took the Joy Out of Overtime.

The Thunder beat Indiana 114–112 in overtime Tuesday. But calling this one a simple comeback doesn't tell the whole damn story. OKC erased a 20-point deficit, survived a night when Indiana dominated the rebounds, and then had to watch rookie Otega Oweh get helped off the floor in overtime. That's a lot for one preseason game.

Indiana led big. Oklahoma City didn't fold.

The Pacers jumped out 33–25 after the first quarter and built a lead as large as 20. Tyrese Haliburton looked sharp in his return to Oklahoma City, scoring all 24 of his points in the first half, according to Thunder Wire's reporting. Ivica Zubac supplied 13 points and 13 rebounds for Indiana.

By halftime it was only 61–59 Indiana, and Oklahoma City took an 85–84 lead into the fourth. The teams finished regulation tied 100–100. The Thunder won the extra period 14–12. Jarred McCain led OKC with 20, Jalen Williams added 16, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 with six assists.

Here's the stat that really jumps off the paper: Indiana out-rebounded Oklahoma City 69–48. Usually, you don't win with that kind of gap. But the Pacers committed roughly 27 turnovers compared with OKC's 16, and that made giving away those extra possessions a hell of a lot less useful.

The injury that changed the conversation

In overtime, Thunder rookie guard Otega Oweh fell while trying to move on defense and grabbed at his lower right leg or ankle. He needed assistance to leave the floor. At the time of this report, no official diagnosis had been announced. That matters: you can acknowledge a frightening-looking injury without pretending you already know what it is.

Oweh is a second-round rookie working to establish himself. This is the last thing anybody wants to see in an exhibition. The result matters less than his health now.

A win is a win, but if one of your young players leaves an exhibition unable to walk out on his own, nobody in that locker room is celebrating like it's the playoffs.6ix / 6ixtv

My take: OKC's resilience, Indiana's possessions

Credit to the Thunder for fighting back and executing when the game got tight. But if I'm Indiana, I'm mad as hell about losing a contest where my team won the boards by 21. You did the hardest part, then handed the ball back over and over.

I also liked seeing Haliburton back on the floor playing aggressively after what he's endured. The preseason results won't count toward any standings, but the decisions these teams make in close games are real film.

Get well, Otega. I'd rather write about this win and all the extra possessions next week than have to lead another article with an injury update.