The NBA preseason opener is here! The 76ers, hampered by injuries, may see their third overall pick shine, while the Knicks' new head coach draws attention.

The NBA's new season kicks off its first preseason game at midnight Beijing time on October 3rd, with the 76ers facing the Knicks. The match will be held in Abu Dhabi, and they will meet again at 11 PM Beijing time on October 4th. Being a preseason matchup, both sides are experimenting with lineups and will provide more opportunities for various players.

For the Knicks, the new coaching team is a significant focus. After losing in the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks replaced their head coach by hiring two-time NBA Coach of the Year Mike Brown. The Knicks aim to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. Led by Brunson and Towns, the team targets winning over 50 games for a third consecutive season and making a deeper playoff run.

As for the 76ers, the main concern is how injuries will impact Philadelphia this season. With a core lineup featuring Embiid, George, and Maxey, the 76ers entered last season with championship aspirations. However, a series of injuries dashed those hopes, as these three All-Stars only played together in 15 games.

Embiid and George are still recovering during this year’s training camp, which may limit their playing time in Abu Dhabi, while young player McKane will miss 4 to 6 weeks due to a thumb injury. Nevertheless, the 2025 third overall pick, Eichome, impressed during the Summer League and is expected to shine in his NBA preseason debut.

It’s worth noting that the past two Eastern Conference champions—the 2023-2024 Celtics and the 2024-2025 Pacers—both suffered major Achilles injuries to their star players, making the Eastern Conference more open than ever. This gives many teams a chance to compete for the division title and a shot at the NBA Finals. The Knicks finished second and third in the last two regular seasons, while Philadelphia ranked seventh and thirteenth. If both teams stay healthy, they have the capability to compete strongly within the East.

Injury updates for both teams—

76ers: McKane is out; Embiid, Waterford, George, Justin Edwards, Bloom, and Oubre are all listed as day-to-day.

Knicks: Hookpolti and Dadiye are both day-to-day.