Mike Brown said his Knicks were ahead of schedule on both sides of the ball. And maybe they were — in practice.
But under the lights at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, New York’s first live action of the preseason showed how far this team still has to go to reach its championship ceiling.
The Knicks shook off a sluggish start to defeat the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers, 99-84, in their preseason opener. The win came without OG Anunoby (sprained hand) and against a Sixers squad missing both Joel Embiid and Paul George, but it was hardly a clean showing. Offensive miscues, defensive lapses and early turnovers made it clear: progress is a process.
FAST START, SLOPPY FINISH TO FIRST QUARTER
With Anunoby sidelined, Brown rolled out second-year forward Pacome Dadiet alongside the starters. That group struggled out of the gate, both generating offense and defending in transition. Philadelphia’s pressure defense immediately disrupted Brown’s up-tempo system, forcing turnovers and stalling New York’s half-court rhythm.
And when the offense broke down? The Knicks fell back on the old faithful: Jalen Brunson.
The All-Star point guard settled things in the first half, tallying six points and four assists in 17 minutes. His steady hand helped keep the ball moving and stabilized Brown’s new offensive principles when the pace got away from them.
INJURY WATCH: HART JOINS ANUNOBY ON SHELF
Josh Hart’s preseason debut ended just minutes after it began.
The do-it-all forward checked in midway through the first quarter as part of an improved bench unit featuring Miles McBride and newcomer Jordan Clarkson. But after grabbing a rebound, Hart collapsed to the floor with an apparent back injury. He was then ejected for throwing the ball towards the baseline as he writhed in pain and before limping off the court.
It’s a brutal turn of events for Hart, who was already committed to playing through the season with a finger injury. Now, he becomes the Knicks’ second key rotation piece to go down this week after Anunoby’s hand issue in practice.
With Mitchell Robinson’s long injury history and a cautious plan for back-to-backs, Brown and VP of sports medicine Casey Smith — whose arrival last season coincided with New York being the NBA’s healthiest team — now face early challenges in managing workloads.
DADIET’S TRIAL BY FIRE
With Anunoby out, Brown gave Dadiet the nod in a starting role, offering the 6-7 French forward valuable reps with the first unit.
He looked the part in the flow of the offense early, but the shot didn’t fall. Dadiet missed all five of his three-point attempts and finished with just four points and three turnovers in 17 minutes. It was a reminder that while opportunity is there, execution will determine his spot in the rotation. And with injuries to both Hart and Anunoby early, the wing has become an early point of weakness — especially if Dadiet, the 25th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, can’t connect from downtown.
DEUCE TURNS HEADS
Miles McBride may have taken a back seat on paper with Jordan Clarkson now in town, but the fourth-year guard wasted no time making his case.
“Deuce” led all Knicks with 12 points, flashing an improved handle and scoring at all three levels — a notable evolution from his previous role as a spot-up threat. His defensive intensity remains elite. If his offensive growth holds, he’ll be hard to keep off the floor.
BROGDON MAKES HIS CASE
Malcolm Brogdon isn’t guaranteed a roster spot. But he played like a guaranteed contributor.
The veteran guard took over as floor general in the third quarter after Brown pulled the main rotation. He finished with just three points and two assists, but his poise and decision-making stabilized the offense during a 26-point swing that blew the game open.
Against defenses like Philadelphia’s that pressure the point of attack, Brogdon’s steady presence will be crucial — a marked upgrade from last season’s McBride-Cam Payne-led second unit that finished last in bench points per game.
BENCH MOB REBORN
New York’s bench scored 61 of the team’s 99 points — a product of both limited starter minutes and a deeper, more versatile rotation.
Brown’s pace-and-space principles were on full display in the second half as the reserves found a rhythm. Last season, the Knicks’ depth was a liability. This season, it’s shaping up to be one of their greatest strengths.
BIG MITCH CLEANS THE GLASS
Mitchell Robinson’s stat line was a sight to behold.
Starting alongside Karl-Anthony Towns, the big man dominated the boards — 16 rebounds in just 17 minutes — while chipping in seven points and showing flashes of playmaking from the top of the key. He recorded one assist but had several quality reads in the high post.
Towns added 11 points and five rebounds, while Mikal Bridges scored 10 points on 2-of-5 shooting from deep and tallied two steals at the point of attack.
HOLDING DOWN THE FORT
Even without Embiid, the Knicks’ defense held Tyrese Maxey to just 14 points in 23 minutes. No. 3 overall pick V.J. Edgecombe shot 4-of-13 for 14 points in his Sixers debut, showing flashes but struggling against New York’s pressure.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Knicks face the Sixers again Saturday in the second and final Abu Dhabi matchup before returning stateside. They’ll host the Timberwolves (Oct. 9), Wizards (Oct. 13) and Hornets (Oct. 17) at Madison Square Garden.
Opening Night is Oct. 22 against the Cavaliers — and Brown’s group has work to do between now and then.
