News DeskAbu Dhabi, UAE – The New York Knicks wrapped up their pre-season tour in Abu Dhabi in style, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers 113–104 on Saturday night at Etihad Arena to complete back-to-back victories at the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025, presented by ADQ.
The sold-out arena was buzzing as two of the NBA’s most historic franchises squared off in the UAE capital for the first time. Fans were treated to a strong Knicks performance, highlighted by OG Anunoby’s promising 13-point debut, Mitchell Robinson’s dominance on the boards, and a confident 14-point outing from Jalen Brunson.
The atmosphere was as star-studded as it was electric. Celebrities in attendance included Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh, British rapper Central Cee, American actress and singer Victoria Justice, Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody, and K-pop stars Chenle and WINWIN. Regional stars such as Siilawy, Tul8te, Nour Al Ghandour and Maguy Bou Ghos also added a local flavour to the occasion.
While the Knicks celebrated a perfect outing, Philadelphia coach Nick Nurse remained upbeat about his team’s progress. “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,” he said after the game.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown praised the warm reception his team received. “It was a great trip. The people here were very welcoming, and we couldn’t have asked for a better environment. We’ll go home, regroup, and keep trying to get a little better every day.”
Star guard Jalen Brunson echoed the sentiment. “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. I’m just happy we were able to come away with a couple of wins.”
The NBA Abu Dhabi Games, now firmly established on the city’s sports calendar, continue to spotlight the emirate as a hub for world-class entertainment and global basketball.
