76ers Lose Ariel Hukporti to Season-Ending Achilles Injury
Ariel Hukporti will miss the 2026-27 season after suffering a ruptured right Achilles tendon during Philadelphia’s preseason opener against the New York Knicks. The 24-year-old center left after five minutes, creating another frontcourt concern for the 76ers before the regular season.
Philadelphia loses Ariel Hukporti for the season
The Philadelphia 76ers will be without center Ariel Hukporti for the 2026-27 season after an MRI confirmed a ruptured right Achilles tendon, according to reports cited by Basketball Sphere and ESPN.
The injury occurred early in Philadelphia’s preseason opener against the New York Knicks. Hukporti left after five minutes when he went down on the defensive end while holding his lower right leg. The 24-year-old center was making his 76ers debut after previously playing for New York, Basketball Sphere reported.
The setback further reduces Philadelphia’s frontcourt depth before the regular season. ESPN’s injury report described Hukporti as having suffered a torn right Achilles, while NBC Sports’ player-news roundup reported that the injury will keep him out for the entire 2026-27 season.nbcsports.com
The injury is the most significant development reported from the NBA’s preseason slate in the last 48 hours. Other recent reports include training-camp injuries involving San Antonio’s Tobias Harris and Charlotte’s Coby White, but Hukporti’s season-ending diagnosis is the clearest immediate roster blow.
Philadelphia’s preseason opener was also notable because Hukporti’s injury came against his former team, although available reports do not provide a final score or detailed game statistics.