It’s time for the NBA preseason, and the action began halfway around the world in 2025.
The New York Knicks beat the Philadelphia 76ers, 99-84, in the first of two NBA preseason games at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Thursday, Oct. 2 as part of the league’s season-long initiative to play international showcases. The two teams will face one another again on Saturday, Oct. 4, before returning to the United States for the remainder of the preseason. Both the Sixers and Knicks were permitted to begin their training camps last week due to international travel.
The Knicks are coming off their deepest playoff run since 1999, but fired former coach Tom Thibodeau after they were eliminated by the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. This will be new coach Mike Brown’s first unofficial game implementing a more up-tempo style with Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and the rest of the returning New York nucleus that’s again a top contender to make it to the NBA Finals out of the East.
The 76ers had a disastrous, injury-marred 2024-25 season in which franchise cornerstone Joel Embiid hardly played and prized free agent acquisition Paul George missed most of the second half of the campaign. Both are still recovering from knee surgery with no timeline for a return and neither played in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
FINAL: Knicks, 99, 76ers 84
The Knicks cruised to a win in the 2025 NBA preseason opener in Abu Dhabi, although neither team played its regulars down the stretch. Miles McBride had a team-high 12 points off the bench to lead the Knicks, while Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns each had 11 points playing exclusively in the first half. Mitchell Robinson finished with 16 rebounds and didn’t play after halftime. Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe paced the 76ers with 14 points apiece.
Knicks take huge lead over 76ers into fourth quarter
The Knicks pulled their star players after halftime, but it didn’t stop them from turning this first preseason game into a blowout in the third quarter. New York has used 16 players at this point. The 76ers have used nine. The Knicks’ Garrison Matthews has three 3-pointers to lead the reserves playing in the game at the moment. Tyrese Maxey has 14 points for Philadelphia and VJ Edgecombe has chipped in 13. The Knicks led, 81-57, heading into the fourth quarter, although the Sixers have chipped away a bit at that New York advantage in the opening three minutes of action.
Halftime score: Knicks 53, 76ers 43
The Knicks pulled ahead as the second quarter wore on, with Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges each finishing with a team-high 11 points. Mitchell Robinson, meanwhile, already has 16 rebounds in just 18 minutes of action. Both teams got off to a rough shooting start overall, with New York still only 37% from the field after its surge before halftime.
Tyrese Maxey has 12 points to lead Philadelphia and rookie VJ Edgecombe has had several encouraging moments with nine points. It will be interesting to see how much either team plays its starters and key players in the second half since this is the first preseason game after a long flight and another exhibition awaits on Saturday.
Knicks, 76ers in close game during first half
The Sixers and Knicks were tied after the first quarter with New York big man Karl-Anthony Towns and 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey doing the most damage. Miles McBride has a couple 3-pointers and Mitchell Robinson a couple putbacks for the Knicks. VJ Edgecombe’s rookie debut with Philadelphia also appears to be off to a smooth start. The Knicks led, 34-31, with 8:04 to go in the second quarter. Here are some highlights:
Knicks, 76ers make USA TODAY’s NBA top 25 player rankings
There are a couple Knicks and 76ers included in NBA’s top 25 player rankings released by a panel of USA TODAY Sports experts on Thursday. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns both made the list from New York and Joel Embiid still made the cut despite his injury issues.
Click here to see to complete player ranking list from No. 25 to No. 1
76ers vs. Knicks underway in Abu Dhabi
The 2025-26 season has begun as the first preseason game of the year is off and running between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers in the United Arab Emirates, and rookie VJ Edgecombe wasted little time making an early impression. About a minute after missing his first shot attempt, he took a defensive rebound away from Knicks center Mitchell Robinson and found teammate Adem Bona for an alley oop in transition. Tyrese Maxey has six quick points and the Sixers are off to an early lead.
76ers vs. Knicks lineups: VJ Edgecombe to start
Tyrese Maxey is the lone member of the Sixers’ star trio in the lineup for today’s preseason opener in Abu Dhabi, but No. 3 overall pick VJ Edgecombe will make his debut in the starting lineup.
The Knicks will trot out most of their regulars to begin Thursday’s game, with Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson all in the starting lineup, according to the New York Post. Pacome Dadiet will start in place of OG Anunoby, who is out with a sprained hand.
When does the NBA preseason begin?
The NBA preseason starts on Thursday, Oct. 2, with the international matchup between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers. The Knicks and 76ers will play a second game in Abu Dhabi two days later on Saturday, Oct. 4.
What time is Knicks vs. 76ers in NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025?
The New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers preseason game on Thursday, Oct. 2 as part of the NBA Abu Dhabi games is scheduled to tip off at 12 p.m. ET at Etihad Arena in the United Arab Emirates. The teams will play again on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 11 a.m. ET.
What channel is Knicks vs. 76ers NBA Abu Dhabi preseason game?
The New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers preseason matchup on Thursday, Oct. 2, as part of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games, will be broadcast nationally on NBA TV. It can be live-streamed with Fubo. Their game on Saturday, Oct. 4 in Abu Dhabi will also be broadcast by NBA TV and can be accessed through live stream with Fubo.
Watch NBA Abu Dhabi Games with Fubo