CAMDEN, N.J. — The Philadelphia 76ers are in the midst of a unique training camp experience as they begin preparation for the 2025-26 season. The Sixers had two training camp days at their facility in Camden, NJ, but now are boarding a plane all the way to Abu Dhabi to continue camp as well as play two preseason games against the New York Knicks.

Coach Nick Nurse and his staff have been working tirelessly to try and get everybody on the same page, but also to be able to implement some type of system to get them ready for their first preseason game on Thursday against the Knicks.

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“I think that you just kind of take the practice days as they come,” Nurse said on Saturday. “Obviously, we’re going to get another one in tomorrow (Sunday). We got a night shooting tonight as well, and we’ll get another one in tomorrow before we go. You got to always keep a little bit of an eye that you do actually have to go throw it up and play another team here, I think Thursday, right? So you do our putting in just enough things to get through a game, you know?”

Either way, no matter how Nurse and his staff try to make this seem somewhat normal, the players are certainly going through it at this moment in an effort to prepare for the 8-hour time difference in Abu Dhabi.

“It’s different,” added Tyrese Maxey. “We’ve got to adapt to it, but I think the first day was solid. We’ll have another good day tomorrow, and then get on the plane and fly across the world.”

With that being said, this trip to Abu Dhabi can help build team camaraderie. The Sixers need some chemistry and need everybody to get on the same page heading into the new season and this is an excellent way for them to build it.

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“I do look at it like that,” Maxey added. “It’ll be a good camaraderie trip. I don’t know a lot of people who’ve been to Abu Dhabi. I know Joel (Embiid) has, but I don’t know who else has been. I sure haven’t, so I’m looking forward to going out there and just seeing some things.”

The Sixers and Knicks will face off on Thursday at 12 p.m. EDT.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers discuss handling Abu Dhabi trip in the middle of training camp