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Philadelphia 76ers center Ariel Hukporti tore his right Achilles tendon in the team's preseason opener against the New York Knicks on Monday, Oct. 5, the 76ers announced Tuesday after an MRI. The 24-year-old had surgery the same day, and NBA.com reported the operation was successful. Hoops Rumors described the injury as season-ending. The team has not given a timeline.
How did Ariel Hukporti get hurt?
The injury happened in the first quarter, about six minutes into Hukporti's debut with Philadelphia, and there was no contact on the play, according to NBA.com. He was helped off the court by Karl-Anthony Towns, his former teammate with the Knicks.
Hukporti joined the 76ers in July as a free agent, signing a $3.4 million deal for one season after winning the championship with New York, ESPN reported. The German center was the 58th pick in the 2024 draft, selected by the Dallas Mavericks and traded to the Knicks on draft night. He played 79 games in two seasons in New York, mostly as a depth piece.
Who can play center for the 76ers now?
Philadelphia's center group was already short before Monday. ESPN listed the situation as follows:
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Joel Embiid | Starting center |
| Ariel Hukporti | Torn right Achilles, had surgery Tuesday |
| Adem Bona | Left foot sprain, has not practiced in camp |
| Tacko Fall | Left hip strain, re-evaluated in 7-10 days |
| Dean Wade, Dominick Barlow, Jabari Walker | Other frontcourt options |
Fall, who is 7-foot-5, signed an Exhibit 10 training camp contract to compete for the team's open two-way spot. The 76ers hope Bona can return at some point during the preseason, according to ESPN.
Can Philadelphia sign a replacement?
Not easily. ESPN's Bobby Marks reported that the 76ers can apply for a disabled player exception worth $1.7 million, half of Hukporti's salary for 2026-27. But Philadelphia sits just $1.8 million under the first apron, which means filling the open roster spot would require cutting someone or completing a minor trade first. The team does have an open two-way slot it could use on a center.
When do the 76ers open the season?
The 76ers start the regular season on Oct. 20 in New York, against the Knicks. NBA.com noted that the 76ers enter 2026-27 with Jaylen Brown and LeBron James joining Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, which raises expectations for the season and puts more weight on Embiid's availability with the backup center spot now uncertain.
Philadelphia 76ers
