Knicks’ Abu Dhabi visit packed with business responsibilities

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — The Knicks have embarked on their most distant journey yet for a basketball game, and the potential positives or negatives of their trip to the Middle East won’t be clear until much later, after it’s all over.

By having their first two preseason games here, the Knicks initiated their training camp roughly a week earlier than the rest of the league. This offers them a special opportunity for team bonding. Upon arrival at their lavish hotel that boasts views of the Arabian Gulf, with their families accompanying them, players were welcomed by sights like a blindfolded falcon, along with other local attractions. However, they must also contend with two lengthy 13-hour flights, 100-degree temperatures, and the commercial duties associated with promoting their brand in a new country.

“In the end, it all balances out,” remarked new coach Mike Brown, who is experienced with long pre-season trips abroad to China with both the Warriors and the Cavaliers.

History backs up Brown’s assessment. Teams that participated in these Abu Dhabi preseason games — which only date back to 2022 — experienced mixed results once the games mattered: