Sixers Lose Ariel Hukporti to Season-Ending Torn Achilles

The Philadelphia 76ers' center rotation has taken a crushing hit before the season has even begun. The team announced Tuesday that an MRI confirmed reserve big man Ariel Hukporti tore his right Achilles tendon less than five minutes into Monday's preseason opener against the New York Knicks. He is scheduled for surgery, and ESPN's reporting says the injury will sideline him for the entire 2026-27 campaign.

The injury was non-contact. Hukporti crumpled while defending former Knicks teammate Karl-Anthony Towns with 7:06 left in the first quarter, immediately grabbing the back of his lower right leg. He had to be helped off the floor, and Knicks guard Jalen Brunson later called the scene "definitely heartbreaking."

The 24-year-old German signed a one-year, $3.4 million deal with Philadelphia this summer after winning a championship with the Knicks, where the 2024 58th overall pick had played his first two seasons. The Sixers viewed him as a developmental piece who could cover frontcourt minutes while Joel Embiid's workload is managed.

That cover now looks dangerously thin. Embiid has not played more than 40 games since 2022-23, projected backup Adem Bona is nursing a foot injury and has yet to practice fully, and 7-foot-5 Exhibit 10 signing Tacko Fall is sidelined 7-10 days. ESPN notes Philadelphia is eligible for a $1.7 million disabled player exception. The Sixers open the regular season against the Knicks on October 20.