Abu Dhabi exposed the Knicks’ early-season gaps: a rough start, injuries thinning the wings, and turnover-prone offense. Brunson steadied the ship as the offense struggled, while a revamped bench sparked a 61-point swing in the second half. Mitch Robinson dominated the boards in limited minutes, Dadiet flashed potential but misfired from deep, and the depth look remains promising for fantasy—yet health and consistency will decide the path forward.

Knicks plan a patient, minutes-aware approach for a long season, prioritizing rest and a balanced rotation over chasing every close game. In preseason, expect a nine-to-ten man core sharing time, with stars spared for late stretches. Hart embraces accountability after a tough playoff run, Towns stresses leadership and system fit, and Bridges touts depth and trust. A finger splint issue for Hart adds a small hurdle before Abu Dhabi practices.