Overview

• Tip-off is 12 p.m. ET at Etihad Arena with national coverage on NBA TV, the first of two Knicks–76ers exhibitions in Abu Dhabi.
• Mike Brown says nearly everyone will play with starters likely limited to the first half as he introduces a faster, spacing-focused system.
• New York’s fifth-starter spot remains fluid, with looks that have included Josh Hart or Mitchell Robinson and potential guard minutes for Deuce McBride.
• Joel Embiid and Paul George are not expected to play as they continue knee recoveries, positioning Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe for prominent preseason minutes.
• Roster evaluations loom for New York, with Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet on non‑guaranteed deals, while Jalen Brunson enters ranked No. 10 on ESPN’s Top 100.