New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers

The game was scheduled to take place on October 4, 2025, with tip‑off set for 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (local Abu Dhabi time as part of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games). The venue is the Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, as one of two exhibition games between the Knicks and 76ers in the region. Broadcasting was to be handled through NBA TV and related international feeds.

The 76ers entered the matchup significantly shorthanded. Key names such as Joel Embiid, Paul George, Quentin Grimes, Jared McCain, Trendon Watford, and Kyle Lowry were all unavailable and not expected to play. Philadelphia’s starting lineup in the absence of those stars was expected to include Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr., Dominick Barlow, and Adem Bona. On the Knicks side, they were relatively healthier, though Josh Hart had been ruled day‑to‑day with lower back soreness after being injured and ejected in a recent game. OG Anunoby had missed previous play with a sprained hand but was expected to be available. For substitution depth, the Knicks were experimenting with players like Miles McBride, Malcolm Brogdon, Landry Shamet, and Garrison Mathews to test rotations.

Knicks head coach Mike Brown was looking to instill a faster, more fluid offensive system, emphasizing transition, spacing, and more frequent movement off the ball. Brown had already experimented with “five‑out” lineups and different guard combinations (e.g., Brunson–McBride–Clarkson) to test options for perimeter spacing and offensive balance. On defense, the Knicks were banking on interior strength (Mitchell Robinson) and wing versatility (Anunoby, Bridges) to pressure ball‑handlers and disrupt 3‑point attempts.
For the 76ers, interim plans under coach Nick Nurse (or in preseason coaching staff) would likely emphasize developing cohesion among role players, preserving the health of stars, and giving minutes to younger pieces. Philadelphia’s expected tactic was to lean heavily on Maxey and Edgecombe as primary playmakers, with Kelly Oubre Jr. and Barlow supplying wing offense, and Bona anchoring interior boards and rim defense. Philadelphia 76ers coaching staff also hinted at possibly using Jabari Walker at the center spot in some minutes.

Media outlets framed this game as a showcase for the NBA’s global outreach, highlighting the Abu Dhabi setting and the novelty of hosting high‑profile exhibitions in the Middle East. There was much attention on Mike Brown’s new direction for the Knicks and whether the quicker pace could take root immediately. Some press also questioned the readiness of Philadelphia’s depth given the injuries, speculating on how much the 76ers could remain competitive without Embiid or George. Betting and preview sites set the total points line around 217.5, noting that New York had won the first meeting between the teams in Abu Dhabi and might have momentum. Analysts also noted that the first game overseas often tends to hit over the total, though that trend was considered soft.

In studio coverage and pregame analysis, commentators emphasized watching how the Knicks’ new offensive identity held up under game speed. Brown’s transition from a more structured, half‑court system to a freer style was under the microscope. Analysts debated how Jalen Brunson, a traditionally more measured point guard, would adapt in Brown’s quicker system, and whether that pace might expose defensive gaps. On the Philadelphia side, studio pundits highlighted Maxey’s increased responsibility and Edgecombe’s potential as a rising guard, with some suggesting this game might accelerate his development and roster standing. Other talking points included the Knicks’ frontcourt balance (Robinson plus Towns) and how well the 76ers’ reserve wings and forwards (Oubre, Barlow) could handle matchups without their stars. Some analysts also poked at Joel Embiid’s durability heading into the season, raising questions about how often he might be limited or rested.