Johnny Furphy plays in 2 OT season opener

• Australian Johnny Furphy was a rookie when the Pacers went to the NBA Finals last season
• How to watch every 2025-26 NBA game in Australia
• Furphy was drafted in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft
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High flying Aussie Johnny Furphy had to wait 57 minutes to get his first minute in the double overtime 141-135 loss to defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a Finals rematch at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on today (AEDT).

Furphy, who most experts predict to have a breakout season after showing glimpses of brilliance in the Summer League and preseason, suffered the injury in an exhibition game on October 11 but was on the roster on opening night.

Furphy came off the bench at the end of the second overtime after Aaron Nesmith, Bennedict Mathurin and Ben Sheppard had all fouled out.

The injury forced the Melbourne wing to miss the rest of Indiana's preseason and had Pacers coach Rick Carlisle doubting whether he would be fit for the start of the new season.

“Not sure how long,” Carlisle said after the injury against the Thunder.

“There’s a chance they could be back for the opening of the season, but I don’t know how big of a chance.”

Furphy played in 50 games last season and averaged 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds in almost eight minutes of court time per game.

Although given limited opportunity, the 20-year-old impressed in his minutes and became known for his highlight dunks - a reputation he built on during Summer League where he had arguably the biggest ever dunk by an Australian, putting Chicago Bulls rookie Noa Essengue on a poster no one will ever forget.

Furphy and the Pacers are just one of four teams in action on Friday with the Denver Nuggets hosting the Golden State Warriors.