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Starting 5, Oct. 2: Why Abu Dhabi marks a new start for New York and Philly

The wait is over – preseason hoops starts today between the Knicks & Sixers in Abu Dhabi (12 ET, NBA TV).

NBA.com Staff

October 2, 2025 2:13 PM

When the countdown hits zero – and basketball is back.

The 2025-26 preseason tips off in mere hours as the Sixers and Knicks dance in Abu Dhabi (12 ET, NBA TV).

Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe

5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀

Oct. 2, 2025

New York’s New Chapter: Knicks begin title chase in the UAE with a new voice at the helm

Philly’s Fresh Start: Will today mark the first step of a season-long Sixers turnaround?

World Stage: How the Abu Dhabi Games epitomize the NBA’s international reach

All-Access Abroad: The Knicks, Sixers & Pels mix hoops with community and culture

Abu Dhabi Frames: Four years of photos on and off the court, from KAT to camels

1. NEW YORK’S NEW CHAPTER: TITLE QUEST BEGINS TODAY IN ABU DHABI

Abu Dhabi Games 2025

“Last year showed us that we can do anything,” said Karl-Anthony Towns at last week’s Media Day. “I expect nothing less than that this year … We understand the opportunity that’s in front of us.”

2024-25 marked one of the Knicks’ most successful seasons in decades.

They matched their best offensive rating in the play-by-play era
Tallied their most wins since 2013
And ousted the defending champion Celtics en route to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000

But New York’s season ended in heartbreak, two wins shy of the Finals, falling to the rival Pacers in six games. Now, the bar is raised, changes are in place, but the goal remains the same – a championship.

That quest begins today (12 ET, NBA TV) in Abu Dhabi as the Knicks open the preseason against the Sixers.

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

364 days ago, the Knicks sent shockwaves through the basketball world, trading centerpiece Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo in a package for All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns.

The blockbuster deal paid dividends. Towns became the first Knick to total 1,500+ points, 900+ rebounds and 100+ 3s in a season, igniting one of the most prolific lineups in the game.

How Prolific? New York’s starting five of Towns, Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart poured in an NBA-best 2,283 points last season – 632 more than the next closest unit
Historic Punch: That success led to league-wide recognition, with Towns and Brunson earning starting nods in the 2025 All-Star Game, a feat no Knicks duo had accomplished in 50 years

But against an Indiana team on a mission — one setting record after record for near-impossible Playoff comebacks — the Knicks’ run ended in the East Finals, sending NY looking for answers.

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

Enter Mike Brown, a two-time Coach of the Year with championship experience, Playoff poise and a system built on ‘pace and space’ – hired this summer to take them over the top.

Revamped Bench: New York also shored up its depth, adding veteran scoring in Jordan Clarkson (16.2 ppg in 2024-25) and two-way versatility in Guerschon Yabusele, who came over from Philly

The pieces are in place. Now, it’s about turning promise into a title push – one that New York hasn’t completed in over a half-century.

“I love being in a position where you feel expectation,” said Brown last week. “We know what our job is at hand … everything that’s in front of us, we have to attack with abandon.”

2. PHILLY’S FRESH START: REDEMPTION TOUR STARTS NOW

Mitchell Leff/NBAE via Getty Images

Abu Dhabi signals a new dawn for the 76ers after an injury-riddled 2024-25 campaign. The squad hopes today’s preseason opener is a fitting first step in their return to contention.

They’ll enter the arena with a cleaner bill of health and a blank slate to work with.

Ty On The Rise: Tyrese Maxey will hit the hardwood for the first time since March 3 after putting up a career-best 26.3 ppg across 52 contests played last season
Maxey-mum Effort: Since averaging 8.0 as a rookie, the 6th-year guard has increased his scoring average every year, while also stepping up his steals per game from 0.4 to 1.8 in that time
Behind The Scenes: When he wasn’t fine-tuning his jumpshot or swishing free throws in the offseason, Maxey invited teammates to his Dallas home, trying to build camaraderie
“We need a standard,” said the 2023-24 Most Improved Player of the Year. “Like this is who we are every single day – no matter who plays, no matter who doesn’t play.”

Mitchell Leff/NBAE via Getty Images

Amid Maxey’s ascension to a young leadership role for Philadelphia, even younger talent has entered the mix in the form of VJ Edgecombe.

Big Man On Campus: The Baylor product submitted 15.0 ppg and 5.6 rpg while leading the Bears with 32.8 minutes played per game en route to becoming the No. 3 overall pick
A Smashing Summer: Edgecombe dropped 28 on 13-for-26 shooting in his Summer League debut, but today will be the first time he matches up with a true NBA roster
Early Impressions: Maxey, Joel Embiid, Eric Gordon, Kelly Oubre Jr. and coach Nick Nurse all shared glowing remarks at Media Day about what’s to come for Edgecombe

The Philly faithful will have to wait a bit longer for Jared McCain’s return following his thumb surgery Tuesday. But fellow second-years Adem Bona and Justin Edwards are ready to roll.

With former All-Stars Embiid and Paul George inching closer to full health, the 76ers tip off the 2025-26 season eyeing something bigger and better than the 24-58 finish of last season.

Road To Redemption: Last year, Detroit assembled the 7th-best single-season turnaround in NBA history. Can Philadelphia join those ranks?

3. WORLD STAGE: INSIDE THE NBA’S GROWING GLOBAL REACH

David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

Ten players on the Knicks’ and 76ers’ current rosters hail from outside the United States – stretching from the Bahamas (VJ Edgecombe) to England (OG Anunoby), all the way to Cameroon (Joel Embiid).

That doesn’t include American-born players with strong international ties, like Karl-Anthony Towns, a New Jersey native who represents the Dominican Republic in international play.

The fact that you could field two starting lineups – and then some – of players with international roots from the teams opening the 2025-26 season is no accident. It’s a reflection of just how far the game has grown.

NBA International Growth

In 1994-95, 29 players born outside the United States appeared in at least one NBA game. Last season, that number hit 129 – proof of how dramatically the league’s global pipeline has evolved.

Many point back to the 1992 Dream Team as the spark – a group that captivated the world and inspired generations of international hoopers.

Over the past three decades, that influence hasn’t just led to more international players appearing in NBA games – it’s pushed them to the top of the sport, from No. 1 overall picks to Kia MVPs.

Highly Touted: In the last three drafts, there have been 11 lottery picks born outside the USA, including two No. 1 selections: Victor Wembanyama (2023) and Zaccharie Risacher (2024)
Highly Decorated: Meanwhile, the last seven Kia MVP awards have gone to an international player – all hailing from different countries: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada), Nikola Jokić (Serbia), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece) and Embiid

Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

That reach is on full display as the new season tips off in Abu Dhabi – the opening act of four international showcases that will take the NBA from the Middle East to Australia, Canada and China before Opening Night.

NBA Abu Dhabi Games (Oct. 2 & 4): Knicks vs. 76ers (Abu Dhabi, UAE)
NBA x NBL Melbourne Series (Oct. 3 & 5): Pelicans vs. NBL teams (Melbourne, Australia)
NBA Canada Series (Oct. 6): Nuggets vs. Raptors (Vancouver, B.C.)
NBA China Games (Oct. 10 & 12): Nets vs. Suns (Macao, China)

4. ON THE GROUND: ALL-ACCESS IN ABU DHABI & AUSTRALIA

Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images

The Abu Dhabi Games and NBA x NBL Melbourne Series are about more than draining buckets on the court and tuning up for the season ahead.

They’re also about sharing experiences and connecting with the communities across the world.

“It’s always cool to, not just have fans, but also to interact with people who are in different countries and cultures,” said Josh Hart. “That’s the beautiful thing about basketball – it brings people together.”

New Craft: Knicks players swapped basketballs for markers Wednesday, partnering with NBA Cares to work on art skills with local youth
MoMA Hopefuls: OG Anunoby and Guerschon Yabusele both created masterpieces, though they might not see their works hang in the Museum of Modern Art back home
Rebound, Reuse, Recycle: Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson were impressed by what they saw, as kids took an eco-friendly approach to designing team merch

Elsewhere, some 76ers donned polos and pants as they hit the links for a round of golf on a picturesque Abu Dhabi afternoon.

Watch It Fly: 19-year NBA veteran and longtime golfer Kyle Lowry took to the course, walking the fairways along with coach Nick Nurse in a friendly competition
All In The Hips: Nurse took the chance for some lighthearted ribbing as Lowry found himself deep in a bunker at one point

Zion Williamson

Over 7,000 miles away, the Pelicans continued their prep in Australia for the NBA x NBL Melbourne Series, putting the gym to good use.

G’Day, Mate: New Orleans held its first practice Down Under in preparation for their own preseason opener Friday against Melbourne United
Vege-mighty: Zion Williamson rubbed elbows with NBA legend Kevin Garnett, as fellow Hall-of-Famers Ray Allen and Joe Dumars joined them for a team welcome

5. ABU DHABI FRAMES: FOUR YEARS OF PHOTOS

Since its inauguration in 2022, the NBA Abu Dhabi Games have delivered no shortage of memorable sights.

Before the ball goes up today, let’s take a look back at some of the Games’ best frames, from on-court action to off-court moments that define the experience.