When the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers met on October 2 and 4 in Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena for the nba games abu dhabi 2025, the two games felt at times like experiments, at others like auditions. New York came away with victories in both – 99–84 in Game 1 and 113–104 in Game 2 – and with new voices and lineups being tested, those wins offered more than just scoreboard validation. They offered clues about identity, depth, and resilience.
This was also the first time these two iconic franchises had faced off in the Middle East, and the international backdrop added an extra layer of intrigue. With fans flying in from across the Gulf region, Asia, and Europe, it wasn’t just a preseason game — it was a global showcase for the NBA’s expanding footprint.
Game 1: October 2 – Knicks 99, 76ers 84
From the opening tip, the Knicks seemed determined to assert control. They won the rebounding battle decisively (58–46), and on offence, they found balance: Miles McBride led New York with 12 points, while Mitchell Robinson was a force on the interior. Philadelphia, lacking its usual stars, leaned on V.J. Edgecombe’s energy, but their night was derailed by terrible three-point shooting – just 3-of-35 from deep (8.6 %).
Midway through the game, a jarring moment: Josh Hart, after an awkward fall during a rebound, flung the ball into the seats and was ejected. The Knicks later characterised his injury as lower back spasms, and the team took a cautious tone: “It’s preseason and we’re going to err on the side of caution.”
Mike Brown, coaching his first game in charge, made bold choices. With OG Anunoby unavailable, he started Pacôme Dadiet, later explaining, “We’re experimenting. Anything can change at any minute.” The Knicks seemed comfortable subbing, shifting lineups, and testing new looks – a good sign early in the build toward identity. Several combinations included dual bigs, small-ball lineups, and even occasional zone defence, all signs that Brown is actively shaping a new on-court identity.
Game 2: October 4 – Knicks 113, 76ers 104
The rematch felt tighter. The Knicks opened strong (32–23 first quarter) and appeared in control, though the 76ers rallied in the third. But New York flexed its bench balance and spacing to close hard in the fourth (30 points), sealing a 9-point win.
Jalen Brunson led New York with 14 points, showing comfort in both scoring and facilitating roles. Tyrese Maxey again spearheaded Philadelphia’s offence with 16 points. Edgecombe showed flashes of confidence again, but the difference was depth: the Knicks’ second unit held its own, while Philly’s lacked consistency.
Statistically, New York shot 44.7 % to Philly’s 44.3 % but forced 20 turnovers while committing just 14. The rebounding margin was narrow (43–41), but New York’s timing, composure, and ability to execute late were the tipping points.
Brown continued to tinker. He sometimes deployed Karl-Anthony Towns at a stretch four next to Robinson, a pairing that offered spacing without sacrificing interior presence. After the game, Brown emphasised consistency over flash:
“Anybody can run fast … but if you have the mental toughness to consistently do it 10 out of 10 times, you’ll be faster than a guy doing it three out of 10.”
There were moments when the Knicks looked vulnerable, lapses in transition defence, careless fouls, but their response was always organised and composed. It’s that discipline, even in exhibition, that suggests this team is starting to internalise a more robust identity under Brown.
What the Sweep Suggests
For the Knicks, the Abu Dhabi sweep delivered more than wins; it delivered confidence, chemistry, and early signs of structure. Their rotations looked more flexible than in past years, and Brown’s willingness to mix lineups suggests they’re trying to build a system rather than force one. Brunson’s adaptability, Robinson’s board work, and McBride’s rise also help shore up concerns about depth.
There was a sense of cohesion that hadn’t always been present in past Knicks squads. Players appeared committed to each other’s success, passing up decent shots for better ones, communicating on screens, and adjusting fluidly on the defensive end. These are encouraging signs, even if they come with the usual preseason caveats.
The Hart injury is a cloud, though: even if mild, it reminds us that flexibility must be matched with caution. The team has publicly urged patience, acknowledging that nothing will fully click overnight: “It’s not going to happen Game 1 or 2 … we’ve got to stay even-keeled.”
Philadelphia, meanwhile, leaves Abu Dhabi with more questions than answers. Maxey remains a bright spot. Edgecombe’s flashes are encouraging. But poor perimeter shooting, turnovers, and limited production from the bench exposed vulnerabilities. If the Sixers are to compete in the East, they’ll need steadier contributions beyond their stars and better execution in the halfcourt. The absence of Joel Embiid and Paul George certainly leaves a vacuum, but the expectation is that even the second unit should show signs of direction, something that was still missing in Abu Dhabi.
ES Sport’s Exclusive Hospitality Packages – Elevating the NBA Experience
While the basketball was the attraction, Abu Dhabi’s NBA highlight was also a premium live-sports spectacle, and ES Sport played a central role in that. Appointed as the official reseller for the NBA Games Abu Dhabi 2025, ES Sport offered exclusive hospitality and ticket/hotel packages designed to turn a game into a full luxury experience.
From courtside seats to elevated vantage points in the Etihad Arena, their hospitality options included curated services, premium amenities, and seamless ticket + hotel bundling. The idea was to treat fans not just as spectators, but as guests to an all-round entertainment event delivering “the ultimate NBA experience, complete with a rich program of activities and events organised around the tip-off.”
For those looking to combine sport with comfort, style and world-class service, these packages offered a uniquely immersive opportunity. Whether you were watching from a luxury suite or relaxing in a VIP lounge between quarters, the ES Sport experience elevated the NBA’s Middle Eastern debut into something far more memorable than just a pair of preseason games.
X-Factor Matchups to Watch This Season
As the season unfolds, several matchups may prove decisive not just in shaping head-to-head results, but in signalling how these two teams develop across the calendar.
1. Karl-Anthony Towns vs Joel Embiid
If both are fully available, this could be one of the more intriguing big man duels in the East. Towns’ ability to stretch the floor might pull Embiid out of the paint and disrupt Philly’s rim protection. On the flip side, Embiid’s sheer physical dominance in the post will challenge Towns on the defensive end.
2. Jalen Brunson vs Tyrese Maxey
Both are emerging stars for their franchises, and their styles are aggressive, quick, and confident, making for compelling viewing. As lead guards who shoulder scoring and playmaking duties, how they neutralise each other may decide late-game dynamics.
3. Bench Units & Secondary Scoring
In Abu Dhabi, New York’s bench looked deeper and more disciplined. If McBride, Sims, and others can offer reliable minutes, they give the Knicks a massive advantage. For Philadelphia, the development of players like Edgecombe, Ricky Council IV, and other rotational pieces will be critical to holding leads and surviving runs.
4. Coaching Styles: Brown vs Nurse
Brown’s instinctive, flow-based system contrasts sharply with Nick Nurse’s structured, tactical philosophy. Both are accomplished coaches, but their in-game adjustments, especially in potential playoff matchups, could become a fascinating subplot.
5. V.J. Edgecombe’s Growth Trajectory
In both games, the rookie showed flashes of brilliance. If he can mature into a reliable two-way player by mid-season, he may help unlock new offensive sets and provide the 76ers with a spark off the bench that could make a real difference in long road trips or back-to-back matchups.
With the NBA’s return to Abu Dhabi, fans got more than just basketball; they got a global spectacle, elevated by world-class hospitality, innovation, and premium experiences. The Knicks leave with momentum. The 76ers leave with questions. And both carry into the season the lessons, matchups, and “what-ifs” drawn from those two nights under the Etihad Arena lights.
