Ariel Hukporti ruptures Achilles, to miss remainder of season
Ariel Hukporti #55 of the Philadelphia 76ers poses for a portrait during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex on September 28, 2026 in Camden, New Jersey. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
In their preseason opener on Monday night against the New York Knicks, Ariel Hukporti sustained a season-ending ruptured right Achilles tendon in the first quarter.
The 76ers formally announced the injury following an MRI on Tuesday, and Hukporti is set to undergo surgery.
Hukporti, 24, planted his foot and felt something in his right leg and did not return to the game. He started in the team’s preseason opener in place of Adem Bona, who is sidelined with a left foot sprain.
Hukporti had the opportunity to compete for the backup center position to Joel Embiid. Bona will likely be Embiid’s backup when he returns, and this increases the chances of Tacko Fall making the team’s final roster.
Hukporti signed with the 76ers after spending two years with the Knicks, coming off a year where he averaged 2.2 points per game, 0.5 assists per game, and 2.9 rebounds per game. Hukporti only played five minutes in the 76ers’ preseason opener and had one assist while playing excellent defense.
The Sixers’ lack of center depth now becomes apparent again. Rebounds will become an issue when Embiid is on the bench. They may need LeBron James in when Embiid is out to give them a big physical body that can crash the boards. The 76ers do not have the financial tools to go out and sign another center, but Bona should be good to go for the start of the regular season.
Braydin Adams
Braydin is a young, passionate sportswriter looking to build a highly successful career in Journalism. Alongside Philly Sports Reports, he contributes to LebcoSports.com, where he covered the Northern Lebanon Baseball District 3 championship and covers other sports and writes on local athletes. Adams also contributes to lwoSports.com. Braydin is a dedicated young writer hoping to be a professional beat writer one day.
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