Why the Sixers’ Struggles in Abu Dhabi Could Signal a Season-Defining Crisis

The Sixers have officially crossed the halfway mark in their preseason journey, touching down from their Abu Dhabi stint with more questions than answers. Saturday’s matchup against the Knicks ended in a 112-104 loss, their second straight stumble that’s stirring up some real urgency as they head back home. Tyrese Maxey, showcasing flashes of his electric play, buzzed for 16 points in just the first half before sitting out the second, leaving fans to wonder what could’ve been had he stayed on the floor longer. With their third preseason game looming against the Magic on October 10, it’s clear the team’s ironing out the kinks — from offense execution to rotations — ahead of the October 22 opener versus the Celtics. Let’s dive into the standout moments and what they reveal about where this Sixers squad stands at the moment. LEARN MORE

The Sixers are halfway done their preseason schedule and ready to head home.

The team wrapped up its Abu Dhabi action against the Knicks on Saturday with a second straight loss, falling to a 112-104 defeat.

Tyrese Maxey scored 16 first-half points and sat out the second.

The Sixers’ third of four preseason games is scheduled for next Friday, Oct. 10 vs. the Magic. Here are observations on their loss Saturday:

Edgecombe jumps out

The Sixers rolled out the same starting lineup as in their preseason opener: Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr., Dominick Barlow and Adem Bona. They remained without Joel Embiid (left knee), Paul George (left knee), Jared McCain (right thumb) and Trendon Watford (right hamstring).

Edgecombe was the star of the first few minutes Saturday, scoring or assisting on all of the Sixers’ first 10 points.

On the game’s first possession, Edgecombe got fouled on a three-point attempt by Jalen Brunson and made all of his free throws. He recorded the Sixers’ next two points in eye-popping style with a swift drive from the wing followed by a rim-shaking slam. The rookie showed zero concern about OG Anunoby’s presence in the paint.

Edgecombe assisted a Barlow corner three and an Oubre long two in the early going. He had a confident, attacking approach without being reckless in his decision-making.

The Baylor product also knocked down a catch-and-shoot triple later in the first quarter. He hasn’t been hesitant to put up jumpers, but that was a relatively weak area of his game in Abu Dhabi. Edgecombe air balled a couple of three-point tries Saturday.

Offense needs to sharpen ahead of opener

For the Sixers’ regulars, shooting was not a bright spot in either of their first two contests.

For the most part, the Sixers’ offensive issues can be chalked up to collective preseason rustiness as jump shooters (and the absences of Embiid, George, McCain and Watford). Installing new aspects of their offense is another notable factor, although the Sixers seemed to keep things simple in Abu Dhabi, leaning on basic drive-and-kick principles in the half court.

The Sixers’ Maxey-led offense did begin to look crisper, faster and better overall around the midpoint of the second quarter. They’ll expect continued improvement over the weeks leading into the regular-season opener on Oct. 22 against the Celtics.

A chance for Chandler to show his game

The Sixers’ second unit had a decent day.

Jabari Walker started the second half in Barlow’s place and Kennedy Chandler took over for Maxey at point guard.

Chandler faces clear challenges at under 6 feet tall, but he’s a speedy, aggressive player and had plenty of nice moments Saturday. He created a defensive highlight in the first quarter when he swiped a scrappy backcourt steal against Miles McBride. Chandler found a scoring groove in the second half, too.

Two-way contract player Hunter Sallis and veteran guards Eric Gordon and Kyle Lowry did not play Saturday. Chandler, Walker, Andre Drummond, Justin Edwards, Johni Broome, Malcolm Hill and Saint Thomas appeared off of the Sixers’ bench.