NBA Abu Dhabi Games Opener
In a thrilling opener at the NBA’s Abu Dhabi Games, new head coach Mike Brown celebrated his first victory with the New York Knicks, who triumphed over the Philadelphia 76ers with a score of 99-84.
Key Player Contributions
The game saw significant contributions from players off the bench, particularly Miles McBride, who scored 12 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns, who added 11 points in just 17 minutes of play. Mitchell Robinson showcased a standout presence on the court, scoring seven points and securing an impressive 16 rebounds within 18 minutes of action. Although team captain Jalen Brunson had a quieter night with six points and four assists, Mikal Bridges contributed with ten points.
The Knicks entered the contest without OG Anunoby, who was sidelined with a sprained left hand, leading to Pacome Dadiet stepping into the starting role alongside Robinson, who was selected as a starting player after months of speculation during training camp.
Game Highlights
The match kicked off with both teams displaying the typical hesitancy of a preseason game, characterized by numerous turnovers and lackluster execution. The Knicks managed to score their first points of the season following an offensive rebound and subsequent and-one putback by Dadiet. Tyrese Maxey from the 76ers appeared to be in midseason form, scoring ten points in the first quarter.
As the game progressed, New York struggled to find its rhythm initially, but Towns’ involvement in transition and success at the free-throw line helped him finalize a strong first quarter, totaling seven points. McBride, however, turned on the offense late in the period—netting a pair of three-pointers and a contested two-pointer to help tie the game at 25 going into the second quarter.
In a concerning moment, Josh Hart fell while trying to evade a defender, resulting in a lower back injury that led to his ejection after the officials ruled against him. The Knicks later reported Hart’s condition and planned to assess his status on Friday.
The second quarter was notably highlighted by a spectacular attempted dunk by rookie VJ Edgecombe, where he faced off against Robinson, though the moment finished controversially without success. Despite the close match, the Knicks surged ahead, aided by a late 15-6 run that closed the half at 53-43, taking advantage of the Sixers’ poor long-range shooting performance, where they only converted 1 of 20 three-point attempts.
Second Half Performance
After halftime, the Knicks’ strategy shifted as the starting lineup took a backseat to give their supporting cast substantial playing time. With players vying for a spot on the final roster, including Landry Shamet, Malcolm Brogdon, and Garrison Mathews, they made a notable impact in the third quarter, with Mathews netting three triples while Brogdon scored and assisted effectively, culminating in a robust 81-55 lead entering the final quarter.
Ariel Hukporti also made a brief appearance, scoring six points and grabbing six rebounds in his limited time, further solidifying the Knicks’ commanding performance as they coasted through the game’s conclusion, while rotating through their extended training camp roster without facing any challenges.
Looking Ahead
Next, the Knicks will have a chance to build on this success as they face the 76ers again in Abu Dhabi on Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m.
