Basketball is (almost) back! The Philadelphia 76ers are set to face the New York Knicks on neutral ground in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
The Sixers, as expected, won’t be at full strength. Joel Embiid is unlikely to play, as he rarely appears in preseason and is still managing his knee. Paul George is also expected to sit out while recovering from surgery, and rookie Jared McCain is sidelined after recent thumb surgery.
Don’t click away yet: There are still plenty of reasons
to watch. Tyrese Maxey is set to return after an offseason focused on improving his in-between game. He’ll get an early challenge against the Knicks’ strong wing defenders, including OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges.
Alongside Maxey, the Sixers’ third overall pick, VJ Edgecombe, will make his unofficial debut. Minutes will be limited, but the game should provide a first look at how Nick Nurse plans to use Edgecombe. Expect him to get both on- and off-ball opportunities. Even as a rookie, he has the potential to ease Maxey’s playmaking load while providing energy on the defensive end.
The frontcourt rotation, in particular, will also be worth watching. With George out, players such as Justin Edwards are likely to see more minutes. Edwards may even earn an early-season starting nod. With Ricky Council IV gone, his path to a significant role looks wide open, and the Sixers will need his scoring if stars miss time.
The backup center spot is another storyline. Nurse has highlighted Adem Bona, Andre Drummond, rookie Johni Broome and two-way player Jabari Walker as the main candidates. Bona has impressed in camp, adding two inches to his vertical leap and confidence to his game.
Fans will also get their first look at the Sixers’ new additions: Walker, Dominick Barlow, Trendon Watford, and Broome. All should see minutes, with Barlow standing out so far in a power forward role in the Sixers’ camp. Given the Sixers’ crowded backcourt, they’ll rely on length and defensive depth up front, an area where Barlow, Walker and Watford can contribute.
The Knicks, meanwhile, enter with much of the same roster as last season. Their core remains Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns, supported by a strong bench of Josh Hart, Deuce McBride and Mitchell Robinson. Former Sixer Guerschon Yabusele is set to debut for New York. The biggest change comes on the sideline, where Mike Brown replaces Tom Thibodeau after the team’s playoff exit.
Brown, like Thibodeau, is a defensive-minded coach, so the Knicks will likely adjust some of their schemes on that end of the floor. The bigger change, though, could come offensively. Reports suggest New York will look to play at a much faster pace under Brown, a style he successfully introduced in Sacramento. If so, that shift could become one of the defining differences for the Knicks this season.
Because this game is being played overseas, tip-off comes much earlier than usual. Settle in and get ready for some rare early-afternoon Sixers basketball.
Game Details
When: Thursday, October 2nd, 12:00 p.m. ET
Where: Etihad Arena, United Arab Emirates
Watch: NBA TV
Radio: 97.5 The Fanatic
Follow: @LibertyBallers
