The NBA’s global showcase returned to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday night, as the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers opened the 2025–26 preseason at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. In front of a lively international crowd, the Knicks pulled away late to secure a 99–84 victory, setting the tone for what promises to be another competitive season in the Eastern Conference.
For New York, the game was an opportunity to show off its depth and new identity under head coach Mike Brown. The Knicks leaned on their size and rebounding, with Mitchell Robinson controlling the paint and Karl-Anthony Towns finding his rhythm early in limited minutes. Mikal Bridges and Miles McBride added steady scoring, while Jordan Clarkson and Garrison Mathews provided sparks off the bench. Even in a preseason setting, the Knicks looked organized and confident, a continuation of the momentum they’ve built after back-to-back trips to the conference finals.
The Sixers, meanwhile, entered the night shorthanded, with Joel Embiid and Paul George still sidelined as they recover from offseason knee surgeries. That left Tyrese Maxey to shoulder the offensive load, and he responded with his usual energy, pushing the pace and finishing with a team-high 14 points. Rookie guard VJ Edgecombe, the third overall pick in June’s draft, also showed flashes of promise, scoring 14 points of his own despite some uneven shooting. Philadelphia’s effort was there, but the absence of its stars was glaring, as the team struggled to generate consistent offense and finished just three-for-35 from beyond the arc.
The game wasn’t without drama. Knicks guard Josh Hart was ejected in the second quarter after an odd sequence in which he appeared to tweak his back while battling for a rebound, then tossed the ball in frustration. Officials quickly assessed a technical foul and sent him to the locker room, a moment that briefly quieted the crowd before the Knicks regained control.
Josh Hart gets hurt, throws ball, thrown out pic.twitter.com/M0XCP3lAq5
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) October 2, 2025
Beyond the action on the floor, the atmosphere in Abu Dhabi was electric. Fans packed Etihad Arena not only to see NBA stars up close but also to take part in the broader cultural celebration that has become a hallmark of the Abu Dhabi Games. Both teams spent the week engaging with the community, visiting landmarks like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and participating in NBA District, a fan festival featuring concerts, interactive games, and appearances by legends such as Derricks Rose, Patrick Ewing and John Starks.
For the Knicks, the win was a promising start to a season in which expectations are sky-high. For the Sixers, it was a reminder of how much hinges on the health of Embiid and George, and how valuable these preseason minutes will be for their younger players. The two teams will meet again on Saturday in the second game of the Abu Dhabi series before returning to the United States to continue their preseason schedules.
