In the sweltering heat of Etihad Arena, the New York Knicks scraped together a 99-84 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, kicking off the NBA's preseason doubleheader in Abu Dhabi. It was a gritty affair, far from the polished product fans expect, but effective enough for the Knicks to claim the first leg. Miles McBride led the charge with 12 points, while Mitchell Robinson dominated the boards with 16 rebounds, anchoring a defense that stifled Philadelphia's rhythm early.
The game unfolded in fits and starts. New York jumped out to a solid lead in the first quarter, but the 76ers clawed back midway through, exposing some rust on both sides. Joel Embiid, nursing a minor tweak, sat out most of the action, leaving Tyrese Maxey to shoulder the load—yet even he managed just 10 points on inefficient shooting. For the Knicks, it was a team effort, with all 19 available players seeing the floor, though the absence of OG Anunoby due to day-to-day soreness loomed large.
However, the real buzz emerged post-whistle. Josh Hart, the Knicks' versatile forward, left the court limping after a awkward landing, sparking concerns in the locker room. Coach Tom Thibodeau downplayed it initially, calling it precautionary, but in preseason, every tweak feels amplified. On the flip side, the trip has been a cultural whirlwind for both squads—Knicks legends camel-riding in the desert, 76ers hitting the links—reminding everyone that basketball extends beyond the baselines.
Indeed, this overseas jaunt marks the NBA's fourth straight year in the UAE, blending sport with spectacle. The Knicks, buoyed by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns' chemistry, looked sharper in spurts, but Philadelphia's depth issues, post their dismal 24-58 regular season last year, remain glaring. Maxey and Paul George need to sync up fast.
With game two set for Saturday, both teams will tweak lineups and shake off jet lag. Moreover, injuries like Hart's could shift rotations unpredictably. As the preseason grind continues, one wonders if these Abu Dhabi battles signal deeper rivalries or just early-season noise.