Ex-Knick Ariel Hukporti suffers scary injury five minutes into his 76ers debut: ‘Heartbreaking’

Philadelphia 76ers center Ariel Hukporti (55) sits on the court after an injury during the first quarter of a game against the New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Monday, October 5, 2026.

PHILADELPHIA — Former Knicks center Ariel Hukporti suffered a scary noncontact injury just five minutes into his 76ers career.

Hukporti collapsed to the court after planting his foot in Monday’s preseason opener, holding the back of his right ankle before Philly trounced the Knicks 120-97. He was helped off the court by former teammate Karl-Anthony Towns amid concerns of a dreaded Achilles tear.

He left the arena on crutches and in a walking boot.

Philadelphia 76ers center Ariel Hukporti (55) sits on the court after an injury during the first quarter of a game against the New York Knicks at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Monday, October 5, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“Definitely heartbreaking,” Jalen Brunson said. “When I came back in the locker room, I went to go check on him. Sad to see. Obviously, we’ll pray for him.”

Hukporti played two seasons with the Knicks — winning a championship as the third-string center. He signed a one-year, $3.4 million deal over the summer with the Sixers, leaving the Knicks searching for center depth because they also lost second-stringer Mitchell Robinson to the Celtics.

Looks like Ariel Hukporti is off with a non-contact injury. He was helped off the court and checked on by his former Knicks teammates. pic.twitter.com/Aw9tsYt0X6

— Knicks Fan TV (@KnicksFanTv) October 5, 2026

Before Monday’s game, Knicks head coach Mike Brown said he was happy for Hukporti because of the bigger opportunity in Philadelphia. It might not happen now.

“We hope Ariel — whatever is wrong with him — he has a speedy recovery and he’s back on the floor,” Brown said. “You hate to see anybody go down with an injury, but especially somebody who is a caliber person who Ariel is.”

Ariel Hukporti #55 of the Philadelphia 76ers boxes out during a preseason game against the New York Knicks at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images

Brunson’s surgically repaired wrist looked fine. The point guard scored 12 points in 15 minutes on 4-for-8 shooting — including 2-for-5 from beyond the arc — in his first game since the procedure in early July to fix a tendon injury.

Otherwise, the Knicks struggled while shooting just 38.5 percent, with the starters playing about 15 minutes apiece.

LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers smiles during practice on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. NBAE via Getty Images

The Sixers injected their roster with star power, and the Knicks understand it makes the road to the Finals tougher.

The Sixers have four multiple-time All-Stars in their starting lineup with newcomers LeBron James and Jaylen Brown joining Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.

“They’re just loaded, man,” Brown said. “Multiple-time All-Star, multiple-time All-Star, multiple-time All-Star. … MVP candidate, MVP candidate, MVP candidate. I remember back in the day, [Gregg Popovich] said, when I was an assistant for him with the Spurs, that there is a change from having two All-Stars on your team to having three. He brought it to our attention as a staff. He was like, you need at least three NBA All-Stars, and not just one-offs, but perennial All-Stars, to go win a championship. And you look at the Sixers now, and they got as many All-Stars, or guys of that nature, as they had in Miami when LeBron was down there.”

Jaylen Brown (7) of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against Jalen Brunson (11) of the New York Knicks during a preseason game at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026, in Philadelphia. Getty Images

Still, the unveiling of the new Sixers had to wait. Coach Nick Nurse rested most of his starters — including James and Embiid — while the Knicks played everybody except Jose Alvarado (knee contusion).

“They’re definitely going to be one of the teams that are contending in the East, and in my opinion, it just got harder for everybody with the team that they assembled here,” coach Brown said.

Earlier Monday, Towns reiterated that he doesn’t expect an extension agreement before the start of the season. The Knicks have offered four years and approximately $200 million according to sources, which is $77 million less than Towns’ max.

“Simply put, I want to do something to keep the team together and can work with the Knicks and also values me,” Towns said. “And none of those things are close to happening.”