The New York Knicks began their 2026 NBA preseason schedule with a road game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night. They faced a heavily depleted Sixers roster, missing its biggest stars.
Philadelphia ruled out several key players for the preseason opener. LeBron James and Joel Embiid, the cornerstones of the Sixers' offseason transformation, were both given the night off. Their absence was expected, as teams often rest veterans in early exhibition games.
Starting guard Tyrese Maxey also did not suit up. The bench unit was thinned out too, with Dominick Barlow, Adem Bona, and Anfernee Simons all ruled out. This created a significant opportunity for other players on the Philadelphia roster to get extended minutes and make an impression.
Not every notable name was absent. Jaylen Brown, acquired in a major trade from the Boston Celtics, made his preseason debut for Philadelphia. The Knicks are very familiar with Brown after his decade in Boston, but he was looking to establish chemistry with his new teammates.
Second-year guard VJ Edgecombe was a player to watch. He had a solid rookie campaign in 2025-2026 and reports from Sixers training camp indicated he was poised to continue his development. His performance against New York's guards offered an early test.
Rookie Labaron Philon Jr. represented an unknown variable for the Knicks. The young guard could carve out a role for Philadelphia this season, and this game was his first chance to face NBA competition, even in a preseason setting.
The Knicks approached this game with positive momentum from their previous season's finish.
Preseason games are primarily for evaluating rotations and conditioning, but facing a rival like Philadelphia always carries a little extra weight. The Knicks' coaching staff likely used this game to assess player fitness and experiment with lineups ahead of the regular season.
While the result of a single preseason game holds minimal importance, the absences highlighted the anticipated dynamic for the 2026-2027 season. The Knicks and 76ers are expected to be top contenders in the Eastern Conference, making their matchups must-watch events. The real battles between James, Embiid, and the Knicks' core are saved for the games that count in the standings.
This opener served as a first look at Philadelphia's depth and how new pieces like Jaylen Brown fit. For New York, it was a chance to build rhythm and test strategies against a team they will see often. The focus now shifts to refining their play and preparing for the regular season tip-off, where every possession matters in the race for playoff positioning.
