In collaboration with the NBA, ADQ inaugurates two refurbished basketball courts in Abu Dhabi

New York Knicks claim back-to-back wins at NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025, presented by ADQ

The New York Knicks wrapped up their Abu Dhabi trip with a 113–104 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in the second of two preseason matchups at the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025, presented by ADQ.

A sold-out Etihad Arena crowd witnessed two of the NBA’s most storied franchises bring their rivalry to the GCC for the first time.

The Knicks capped off their two Abu Dhabi NBA pre-season games with a strong showing, led by OG Anunoby’s 13-point debut, Mitchell Robinson’s dominance on the boards, and a confident 14-point performance from Jalen Brunson, helping secure back-to-back wins.

The atmosphere inside Etihad Arena was electric, with thousands of fans and celebrities in attendance. Notable attendees included British musician Noel Robinson, Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh, British rapper Central Cee, American actress and singer Victoria Justice, Academy Award-winning actor Adrien Brody, K-pop idols Chenle and WINWIN, basketball streetball legend The Professor, UFC heavyweight contender Ciryl Gane, and Indian rapper Badshah. Arabic talents such as Siilawy, Tul8te, Nour Al Ghandour, and Maguy Bou Ghos also attended, adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the game.

Reflecting on the team’s time in Abu Dhabi, 76ers head coach Nick Nurse said: “It was great. There were a couple of things I really wanted to achieve and enjoyed from both a coaching perspective and a basketball standpoint. We had a really good week of work, and from tonight’s game we saw a lot of positive things, including several of the areas we’ve been focusing on improving.”

Knicks head coach Mike Brown added on the Abu Dhabi experience: “It was a great trip. We really enjoyed it – the people here were very welcoming, and we couldn’t have asked for a better environment to spend time with our families and with each other. I thought we got a lot out of the trip. Now we’ll go home, regroup, and keep trying to get a little better every day.”

Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson said on playing in Abu Dhabi: “Playing here was great. The experience was amazing. Seeing the fans and being able to do what we do on the court while also having fun off the court made it a really special bonding experience for us. I’m just happy we were able to come away with a couple of wins.”

The NBA Abu Dhabi Games continue to draw attention to the emirate as a growing hub for world-class sports and entertainment. The event is part of a wider year-round calendar of global events taking place in the emirate. This year’s edition has once again attracted fans from around the world, creating a strong sense of community and further establishing Abu Dhabi on the global basketball stage.

New York Knicks open NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 with win over Philadelphia 76ers

The New York Knicks defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 98–84 on Thursday evening (2 October) at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, kicking off the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 presented by ADQ. The matchup marked the 76ers’ first-ever appearance in the region and gave fans an unforgettable evening of high-energy basketball.

Celebrities in attendance included Kiefer Sutherland, Steve Harvey, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Nadine Nassib Njeim, popular American YouTuber Jesser, and global streetball icon The Professor, among others. The event also featured entertainment performances during timeouts and halftime, highlighted by rapper Fat Joe.

The Knicks secured a strong first preseason win, led by Miles McBride with 12 points and Mitchell Robinson with 16 rebounds. Philadelphia was paced by 14 points each from Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe, the third overall pick in the most recent draft, who made his unofficial NBA debut.

Knicks head coach Mike Brown praised his team’s defensive progress, saying: “Just like I’m sure Philadelphia feels, we believe our ceiling is really high. It was the first time out there for both teams, but I’ve got to give our guys credit. As the game went along, we improved on the things we’ve been working on in training camp, The guys did a good job of helping and then recovering to their man.”

76ers head coach Nick Nurse spoke highly of rookie VJ Edgecombe following his NBA preseason debut: “I really liked his defense, especially in the first half. He’s a great athlete and was making things difficult — getting over screens, jumping into passing lanes, applying ball pressure. He even showed some defensive rebounding and shot-blocking ability. For a young player going up against experienced NBA guys, he took on the challenge and impressed me with his quickness and physicality.”

Edgecombe, who finished the game with 14 points, six rebounds, and three assists, reflected on his first appearance: “Overall, it’s a dream come true. First time on the floor, it felt good.”

The two teams will face off again on Saturday, 4 October at Etihad Arena. NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 presented by ADQ is part of the ongoing partnership between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and the NBA.