Sixers lose Ariel Hukporti to Achilles tear, leaving thin center rotation

The Sixers have Joel Embiid. They also know they’ll need someone to play center when he’s unavailable. That’s why Ariel Hukporti’s injury hurts.

Hukporti tore his right Achilles during Monday’s preseason opener against the Knicks. Philadelphia said he would undergo surgery, with a recovery update to follow. 

As Tony Jones of The Athletic explains, Hukporti was expected to be part of the answer behind Embiid. He started Monday with Embiid sitting out, and team sources told Jones he had played well in camp. Adem Bona, the Sixers’ other young center, is still working back from a foot injury.

That leaves Philadelphia short of size before the regular season has even begun. Embiid is one of the best players in the league when he’s on the floor, but the Sixers have to build a rotation that works on the nights he sits, too. Jones makes the case that losing a backup center carries more weight for this particular team.

There’s a personal side to it as well. Jones reports that Hukporti had already made an impression in the locker room with his personality. He had a chance to earn a meaningful role on a contender and was injured just minutes into his first preseason game with the team.

The Sixers will sort through their options at center. First, you feel for Hukporti.