Sixers backup center Ariel Hukporti OUT for season after rupturing right Achilles tendon

Philadelphia 76ers backup center Ariel Hukporti has suffered a

ruptured right Achilles tendon and will miss the remainder of

the 2026-27 NBA season, according to ESPN's Shams

Charania. Hukporti underwent imaging Tuesday that confirmed

the diagnosis. The Sixers announced that Hukporti will

undergo surgery later today.

With Joel Embiid, Adem Bona and Tacko Fall sitting out of the

Sixers’ first preseason game against the New York Knicks on

Monday night, Hukporti got the start alongside Jaylen Brown,

VJ Edgecombe, Dean Wade and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

With 7:06 remaining in the first quarter, Hukporti was guarding

his former teammate Karl-Anthony Towns when he went down

with a non-contact injury. Hukporti immediately grabbed at his

lower right leg and had to be helped off the court.

The Sixers went on to defeat the Knicks, 120-97.

The injury is a massive blow for the Sixers as they try to figure out their backup center rotation.

Jaylen Brown commented on seeing his new teammate go down early in the game.

"Huk has been a joy to have," Brown said. "He's been great in the locker room, so it sucks to see a guy like that go down."

After winning a championship with the New York Knicks last season, Hukporti signed a

one-year, $3.4 million contract with Philadelphia in hopes of earning a larger role behind former MVP Joel Embiid.

Hukporti averaged 2.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game while shooting 56.3% from the field last season. His numbers may not jump off the page, but the 24-year-old was expected to have an opportunity to compete for consistent minutes in Philadelphia's frontcourt.

Now the Sixers may have to look elsewhere.

With Bona sidelined by a left foot sprain, Fall dealing with a left hip strain and the yearly

concerns surrounding Embiid's health, Philadelphia could look to the free-agent market for another center.

Some available veteran centers include Kevin Love, Kelly Olynyk, Mason Plumlee and Bismack Biyombo. Tony Bradley and Drew Eubanks are currently on non-guaranteed deals with the Knicks and could potentially become available before the start of the regular season.

The Sixers have three preseason games remaining. Philadelphia will face the Nets in Brooklyn on Thursday before traveling to Boston to face the Celtics on Saturday. The Sixers will finish their preseason schedule at home against the Celtics on Oct. 16.

The regular season begins Oct. 20 at Madison Square Garden against the defending champion Knicks.

Nick Nurse and the Sixers' front office now have two weeks to figure out what their center rotation will look like without Hukporti.

We wish Ariel Hukporti a speedy recovery.

Photo Credits: Instagram @sixers