Quick Read<\/p>\n
The Knicks defeated the 76ers 99\u201384 in Abu Dhabi\u2019s Etihad Arena.Philadelphia struggled from three-point range, hitting just 3-for-35.Key Sixers players Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Jared McCain were absent.Mitchell Robinson grabbed 16 rebounds for New York in 18 minutes.The game was broadcast globally, highlighting NBA\u2019s international reach.NBA Takes Center Stage in Abu Dhabi<\/p>\n
There was a new kind of energy in Abu Dhabi this October as the city\u2019s Etihad Arena hosted the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers for the second of their 2025 NBA preseason openers. Far from the familiar raucous of Madison Square Garden or the Wells Fargo Center, the players stepped onto a different stage \u2014 one that reflects basketball\u2019s growing global reach.<\/p>\n
Knicks\u2019 Depth and Rebounding Make the Difference<\/p>\n
The Knicks, coming off a confident 99\u201384 win in Thursday\u2019s opener, showcased a balanced attack and an aggressive presence on the glass. Their effort was anchored by Miles McBride, who contributed 12 points and five rebounds, and Mitchell Robinson, who pulled down an impressive 16 rebounds in just 18 minutes of action. The team\u2019s new addition, Jordan Clarkson, made his debut with nine points, hinting at the depth New York hopes to leverage this season.<\/p>\n
Philadelphia, meanwhile, struggled to find rhythm \u2014 particularly from beyond the arc, hitting just 3 of their 35 three-point attempts. With stars Joel Embiid, Paul George, and rookie Jared McCain unavailable, the Sixers leaned on Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe, both of whom managed 14 points each. But their efforts weren\u2019t enough to overcome the Knicks\u2019 cohesion and physical play inside.<\/p>\n
Coaching Philosophy on Display<\/p>\n
The preseason, by its nature, is a time for experimentation and growth, and Knicks head coach Mike Brown wasted no time unveiling his vision. The Knicks displayed more fluid ball movement, increased their three-point attempts (firing up 39 in total), and frequently blended veterans with younger players in their rotations. The result was a team that looked energetic and well-prepared, even if the roster is still settling.<\/p>\n
For the Sixers, the absence of some key names was felt. Their offense looked stagnant at times, and they found it difficult to keep up with the Knicks\u2019 pace and physicality. Still, the preseason is less about the final score and more about development \u2014 and the game offered Philadelphia\u2019s younger players valuable minutes on an international stage.<\/p>\n
Global Spotlight: Abu Dhabi\u2019s NBA Moment<\/p>\n
Hosting the NBA preseason in Abu Dhabi is more than just a scheduling quirk. It\u2019s a sign of the league\u2019s ambitions to expand its reach and engage with fans far beyond North America. For local spectators, seeing teams like the Knicks and 76ers in person is a rare treat \u2014 and a reminder that the NBA\u2019s influence is truly worldwide.<\/p>\n
The Etihad Arena was alive with anticipation as the teams tipped off at 11:00 AM Eastern, with the game broadcast on NBA TV and MSG in New York. For fans eager to watch from afar, various streaming options like NBA League Pass and free trials from services such as DIRECTV Stream, Fubo TV, and YouTube TV made the game accessible to a global audience.<\/p>\n
Key Moments and On-Court Drama<\/p>\n
No preseason game is complete without a little drama. The Knicks\u2019 Josh Hart provided a scare when he landed hard after fighting for a rebound, ultimately being ejected after throwing the ball into the stands in frustration. The team later clarified that Hart was dealing with lower back soreness, and his status is listed as day-to-day. It\u2019s a reminder that even early-season contests carry real stakes for players fighting for roles and roster spots.<\/p>\n
While the Knicks controlled the pace and the boards, Philadelphia\u2019s shooting woes defined their night. Going 3-for-35 from three-point range is a stat that\u2019s hard to ignore, even in a game that doesn\u2019t count in the standings. For the Sixers, the challenge will be finding ways to generate offense while missing key contributors.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s Next for the Teams?<\/p>\n
With the NBA preseason schedule packed \u2014 as noted by Associated Press \u2014 both teams will use these overseas games as building blocks for their regular season campaigns. The Knicks\u2019 mix of established veterans and promising new faces looks promising, while the Sixers will hope to get healthy and build chemistry before the games really start to matter.<\/p>\n
The international setting also gives younger players a taste of the NBA\u2019s wider ambitions. For rookies like VJ Edgecombe, performing on a stage like Abu Dhabi\u2019s is both a challenge and an opportunity \u2014 one that could pay dividends as the season unfolds.<\/p>\n
NBA\u2019s Global Push Continues<\/p>\n
This preseason showcase in Abu Dhabi is just one piece of a larger puzzle. The NBA continues to schedule international games, aiming to build lasting connections with fans across continents. From Paris to Shanghai, and now the United Arab Emirates, basketball\u2019s global journey is only accelerating.<\/p>\n
For fans in Abu Dhabi and viewers worldwide, the Knicks\u201376ers clash was more than a warm-up \u2014 it was a celebration of the sport\u2019s universal appeal.<\/p>\n
In the end, this preseason meeting in Abu Dhabi was about more than the score. It was a glimpse of the NBA\u2019s future, where the league\u2019s stars and storylines resonate from New York to the Gulf. For the Knicks, the win is a promising sign of their depth and style under Coach Brown. For the 76ers, it\u2019s a reminder of the challenges ahead \u2014 and the opportunities that come from playing on basketball\u2019s expanding global stage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Quick Read The Knicks defeated the 76ers 99\u201384 in Abu Dhabi\u2019s Etihad Arena.Philadelphia struggled from three-point range, hitting…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":190073,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[557],"tags":[64,63,590,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-190072","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nba","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-nba","11":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/190072","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=190072"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/190072\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/190073"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=190072"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=190072"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=190072"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}