The Week Ahead: Knicks Come to South Philly First

By the 76ers Nightly Desk · Wednesday, September 30

Philadelphia plays twice this week, both preseason, both against teams that ended its last two playoff runs. Adem Bona and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are both day-to-day, with the same October 1 target to get back.

76ers Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

What's actually on the schedule this week?

Two games, neither of them real. The Knicks visit South Philly October 5, then the Sixers head to Brooklyn to face the Nets October 8. No standings, no seeding, nothing riding on either result — this week is about who Nick Nurse trusts in stretches with Embiid, Maxey, Brown and James mixed together.

Why does the Knicks game matter more than a normal preseason tilt?

Because New York is the team that keeps ending Philadelphia's season. The Knicks eliminated the Sixers in the first round in 2024, then swept them in round two last season. The regular-season opener is also on the road against New York, October 20. This preseason meeting is the first live look at Brown and James against that specific opponent, three weeks early.

Who's banged up, and does it clear before the games count?

Adem Bona and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are both listed day-to-day, and both share the same target: back by October 1. Bona's issue involves his leg and foot, logged September 17. Caldwell-Pope's is a finger and arm problem on his right side. Neither has been ruled out, but day-to-day status this close to camp games is not a clearance — it's a maybe.

What does this week actually decide?

Not much, and that's fine. Preseason results don't carry weight — what matters is whether Nurse settles his rotation, whether Bona and Caldwell-Pope are full-go by the Nets game, and whether Brown and James look like they belong next to Embiid and Maxey before New York shows up for real on October 20.

The verdictTwo preseason games won't tell you if this roster works, but the health report will tell you who's available to find out. Watch October 1 for Bona and Caldwell-Pope, then watch October 20 for the real answer.

When do the 76ers play their first preseason game?

October 5 at home against the Knicks.

When does the 76ers regular season start?

October 20 on the road against the Knicks.