High-five. NBA hoops returns tomorrow.
The Knicks & Sixers get the preseason started Thursday at noon ET, tipping off the Abu Dhabi Games on NBA TV.
5 STORIES IN TODAY’S EDITION 🏀
Oct. 1, 2025
Abu Dhabi Checklist: Five things to know before the preseason starts in the UAE
All-Access, All Smiles: How Philly & New York are growing the game across the globe
Media Day Encore: Shai’s summer, LeBron’s drive and more viral moments from Monday
Final Frames: A last look at some of Media Day’s standout snapshots
W Finals Set: The Aces edge out the Fever in a thrilling win-or-go home Game 5
BUT FIRST … ⏰
October means Opening Week is near…
American Express Tip-Off is just 20 days away – but who’s counting? Tap here for the full 2025-26 schedule with Opening Night on the horizon (Oct. 21).
1. FIVE THINGS TO KNOW FOR ABU DHABI 2025
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
The first bucket of 2025-26 will drop in Abu Dhabi, where the Knicks and Sixers tip off the preseason on Thursday (12 ET, NBA TV).
Below are five things you need to know before their first of two matchups in the UAE.
1. Year 4 In Abu Dhabi: For the fourth straight preseason, the NBA returns to the Arabian Gulf for the Global Games, showcasing some of the league’s biggest names on the international stage.
Each of the last three years in Abu Dhabi has featured either a recent champion or a future Finalist:
- In 2022, Trae Young and the Hawks faced Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Bucks, one year removed from Milwaukee’s 2021 title
- In 2023, Anthony Edwards and the Wolves matched up with Luka Dončić and the Mavs, who went on to reach the Finals that season
- In 2024, the reigning champion Celtics met Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets, the 2023 champs
- In 2025, the spotlight shifts to New York and Philly, two East contenders hungry for a title
2. New Voice In New York: After falling two wins shy of their first Finals berth since 1999, the Knicks made a head coaching change this summer in hopes of breaking through, hiring two-time NBA Coach of the Year Mike Brown – who will make his Knicks preseason debut on Thursday.
- Knicks Nucleus: While there’s been a change at the helm, New York’s core remains intact with Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby running it back
- Together, the five finished last season with the most points and minutes played of any lineup
David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images
3. Sixers Reset: Injuries deflated Philly’s championship aspirations last season, with Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey sharing the court only 15 times. Now, the Sixers enter 2025-26 with renewed optimism, hoping better health can turn star power into a title push.
- Maxey’s Momentum: As Embiid and George ease back from injuries, Maxey has the runway to take another leap – after being named the Kia NBA Most Improved Player in 2024, followed by his first All-Star nod in 2025
4. Key Additions: While neither team made blockbuster moves this summer, both added potential X-factors with the Knicks signing Jordan Clarkson and Philly landing VJ Edgecombe with the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft.
- Clarkson Spark: A former Sixth Man of the Year, Clarkson averaged 16.2 ppg with Utah in 2024-25, bringing a scoring punch to a Knicks squad that ranked last in bench points
- Edge Factor: After turning heads in the NBA 2K26 Summer League, Edgecombe injects instant athleticism and intensity into a Philly team that ranked 26th in defense last season
5. When, Where & How To Watch: Both matchups in Abu Dhabi will be played at Etihad Arena on Yas Island and will air on NBA TV and NBA League Pass.
- Game 1 (Thursday, Oct. 2): 76ers vs. Knicks (12 p.m. ET, NBA TV)
- Game 2 (Saturday, Oct. 4): Knicks vs. 76ers (11 a.m. ET, NBA TV)
2. ALL-ACCESS, ALL SMILES: GROWING THE GAME IN ABU DHABI
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images
“Giving back to the community, especially for me, means a lot,” said Joel Embiid on Tuesday. “Being from Africa, having seen a lot of struggle growing up … I’m excited to be here, and giving back is huge.”
The 76ers’ second day in Abu Dhabi wasn’t only about training camp – it was about connection.
After hitting the practice floor, Philly shifted from running drills to leading them, coaching kids from across the UAE at an NBA Cares clinic.
- Passing It Forward: Embiid was dishing out daps before teaching passing fundamentals, while 19-year vet and former NBA champ Kyle Lowry shared his wisdom on winning
Moments like these highlight what the NBA Global Games are all about — using basketball to unite fans and players from around the world, no matter the distance.
- Shared Love: “These kids bring us energy, especially after a long training camp day today,” said Paul George. “It’s great to see their shining faces, the bright smiles and the energy they have.”
- Big Perspective: “This is everything, man,” added Kelly Oubre Jr. “We work our butts off to be at the highest level, but if we’re not paying it back to the youth, we’re doing it for nothing.”
- Beyond Borders: “It’s fun, man,” said rookie VJ Edgecombe. “You get to interact with kids from all over the world. It’s crazy.”
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images
Ahead of the Knicks’ NBA Cares clinic today, New York pushed the pace in practice on Tuesday, running the floor before soaking in the sights and sounds of Abu Dhabi.
- Desert Ride: OG Anunoby hit the desert dunes with former Knicks Allan Houston and Stephon Marbury. Their ride of choice? Camels
3. MEDIA DAY ROUNDUP: MORE OF MONDAY’S TOP MOMENTS
Oklahoma City Thunder Instagram
Media Day Monday is in the books but the viral moments keep rolling in.
Check out a few more of our favorite clips below, from star-struck rookies to heartfelt vets.
- Shai’s Summer: How did last year’s Kia NBA MVP and Finals MVP spend his championship summer? No. 2 breaks it down in four moves
- KD’s Big Catch: Reunited with his former OKC teammate, Steven Adams recalled Durant reeling in a massive tuna this summer – and playing it cool while Adams went wild: “He wasn’t as hyped as I thought he’d be … I was going berserk!”
Ezra Shaw/NBAE via Getty Images
- The Steph Effect: Warriors rookie Chance McMillan also tried to play it cool in hopes of getting a photo with Steph Curry – but needed a little push
- Coop On The Mic: Another rookie stole the show in Dallas, as No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg delivered a little bit of everything – from calling his vets “unc” to sharing his thoughts on meeting Michael Jordan
Stacy Revere + Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
- King’s Drive: Meanwhile, LeBron James opened up about what keeps him going in Year 23, before playing a game of ‘Guess Who’ with Luka Dončić and his Lakers teammates
- Baby Ant & Detroit Shuffle: Minnesota had its own game of ‘Guess Who’ – featuring an unmistakable face – while the Pistons kept things light with photo roulette
- Spida’s Special Summer: Donovan Mitchell capped his Media Day on a heartfelt note, reflecting on his July engagement to singer Coco Jones: “To call her my fiancée is a blessing.”
4. FINAL FRAMES: CLOSING SNAPSHOTS FROM MEDIA DAY
From fresh fits to timeless portraits, Media Day always delivers some of the best snapshots.
So before we officially turn the page to the preseason, we pulled together a few standout frames from Monday — with plenty more photos, videos and stories waiting in our Media Day hub.
Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero | Orlando Magic Instagram
Scottie Barnes, Nikola Vučević | Toronto Raptors + Chicago Bulls Instagram
Jaylen Brown | Boston Celtics Instagram
Pascal Siakam, Shaedon Sharpe | Indiana Pacers + Portland Trail Blazers Instagram
LaMelo Ball, Chris Paul | Charlotte Hornets + LA Clippers Instagram
Kevin Durant | Alex Slitz/NBAE via Getty Images
5. W FINALS SET: ACES EDGE FEVER IN GAME 5 THRILLER
For the third time in four years, the Las Vegas Aces are WNBA Finals-bound.
Aces 107, Fever 98 (OT): A’ja Wilson (35 pts, 8 reb, 5 ast) and Jackie Young (32 pts, 10 ast) combined for 67 points, while Chelsea Gray (17 pts, 6 ast) came alive in overtime to outlast Odyssey Sims (27 pts, 6 ast) and the Fever in a winner-take-all Game 5.
- Historic 1-2: Wilson and Young are the first teammates in W Playoff history to each score 30+ in the same game
- MVP Performance: Wilson also became the first player with multiple 35+ point outings in winner-take-all scenarios, while adding four steals and four blocks on the defensive end
The Finish: Trailing 71-63 entering the 4th quarter, the sixth-seeded Fever – who have been without Caitlin Clark since July due to a groin injury – battled back to get within two in the final minute, where Sims dropped in a game-tying floater with 22 ticks left to force OT.
But then Gray took over. Despite limping to the locker room earlier in the game with an apparent injury, the 10-year vet returned – and caught fire in the biggest of moment, dropping eight of her 17 points in overtime to give Vegas control.
- The Dagger: After Indy cut its deficit to four late, it was Gray who delivered the decisive blow, finishing a layup off a Wilson dime to take a six-point lead with 1:09 left
- “It’s not just one person, it’s not just five people, it’s everybody,” said Wilson postgame. “That’s the sign of a championship team.”
Up Next, Phoenix: Chasing their third title in four years (2022, 2023), the Aces will host Game 1 of the Finals on Friday against the Mercury (8 ET, ESPN), who are seeking their first championship since 2014 – and fourth all-time.
