Home > Five thrilling NBA preseason games on October 8: dramatic comebacks and heart-pounding finishes.

Five thrilling NBA preseason games on October 8: dramatic comebacks and heart-pounding finishes.

2026-10-09

OCTOBER 8, 2026 — Wednesday’s NBA preseason slate delivered five entertaining matchups filled with second-half rallies and tight late-game drama. Coaches continued to manage star minutes and evaluate depth players as teams wrap up preparations for the 2026-27 regular season.

Indiana Pacers 123 – Minnesota Timberwolves 112

The Pacers pulled away in the final stretch to beat the Timberwolves. Tyrese Haliburton made his long-awaited return after a lengthy injury layoff, finishing with 7 points and 6 assists in limited minutes. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 19 points, while Jaden McDaniels added 16 points. For Indiana, Aaron Nesmith scored 14 points, and Obi Toppin provided a spark off the bench with 13 points. Minnesota grabbed an early lead, but Indiana chipped away through the second half and sealed the game with a decisive 9-2 run late in the fourth quarter.

Milwaukee Bucks 128 – Oklahoma City Thunder 126

This night’s most thrilling contest was a massive comeback win for Milwaukee. The Thunder dominated the first half and held a lopsided 82-64 lead at intermission. The Bucks slowly clawed back in the second half and edged OKC in a tense final frame. Miles Turner paced the Bucks with 19 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocks. Kyle Wile posted a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Braden Burris chipped in 16 points. For the Thunder, Ousmane Malha scored 22 points and 6 rebounds, and Bennet Sturts added 20 points in the losing effort. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put up 17 points and 5 assists for Oklahoma City.

Portland Trail Blazers 123 – Golden State Warriors 118

Portland held off a scrappy Warriors side that played without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The Blazers jumped out to an early double-digit lead, but Golden State fought back, tying the score at 86 heading into the fourth quarter. Deni Avdija led Portland with 23 points, and Damian Lillard added 15 points. Chinese center Yang Hansen came off the bench and played the full fourth quarter, recording 6 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal in 12 minutes of efficient play. Postgame, Blazers head coach praised his basketball IQ and decision-making on the floor. For the Warriors, Miles Kelly dropped 24 points with 7 rebounds and 6 assists, while Darren Terry tallied 23 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists.

Chicago Bulls 124 – Phoenix Suns 117

Chicago erased an 11-point first-half deficit to beat the Suns. Phoenix came out red hot and built a 40-29 advantage after the opening quarter, but the Bulls steadily chipped away and seized control in the third. Dillon Brooks was the Suns’ leading scorer with 24 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Jalen Green added 12 points for Phoenix. On the Bulls side, Caleb Wilson scored 15 points, Norman Powell had 14 points, and Matas Buzelis put up 14 points, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks. Torrey Avaka contributed 9 critical fourth-quarter points to help Chicago close out the win.

Orlando Magic 122 – Memphis Grizzlies 118

Orlando hung on for a narrow four-point victory over Memphis in another close preseason battle. The Magic held a 64-61 lead at halftime, and both teams traded buckets throughout the second half. Tristan da Silva led Orlando with 19 points and 5 rebounds, while Jamal Kane added 15 points. Memphis’s John Jerome finished with 17 points and 4 assists, and Cameron Boozer recorded 16 points and 6 rebounds. GG Jackson provided solid minutes off the bench for the Grizzlies in the defeat.

Across all five games, teams prioritized testing bench units and managing the workload of franchise stars, using preseason minutes to finalize roster decisions and refine offensive and defensive schemes before the regular season tips off.

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