Injury blow for 76ers center Ariel Hukporti in opener

Early exit against the Knicks

Philadelphia started its preseason schedule with a game against the New York Knicks on Monday. Just five minutes into the action, backup center Ariel Hukporti suffered a right leg injury and had to leave the floor.

The non-contact incident happened with 7:06 left in the first quarter. Hukporti fell down on defense and grabbed his lower right leg immediately. He was helped off the court during a timeout, and the team confirmed at halftime that he would not return. The Sixers went on to win the game with a score of 120-97.

Frontcourt depth tested

Hukporti signed a one-year, $3.4 million free agent contract in July after winning a championship with the Knicks. He started against his former team because Philadelphia was already dealing with an injury-depleted frontcourt rotation.

Joel Embiid was given the night off by coach Nick Nurse alongside healthy scratches LeBron James and Tyrese Maxey. The team was also missing backup centers Adem Bona and Tacko Fall. Bona is dealing with a left foot sprain from the offseason, while Fall was diagnosed with a left hip sprain and will be reevaluated in about two weeks.

Looking ahead to the schedule

Coach Nick Nurse stated before the game that he hopes to have most of his players available together for two of the remaining three preseason fixtures. Philadelphia travels to play the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, then faces the Boston Celtics, before finishing the exhibition matches at home against Boston on Oct. 16. The regular season starts on Oct. 20 in New York against the Knicks.