Ariel Hukporti Suffers Torn Achilles Tendon in Philadelphia 76ers Debut
German center Ariel Hukporti suffered a torn Achilles tendon during his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers, according to a report by spox.com. The injury occurred less than five minutes into a preseason game against the New York Knicks, forcing the 24-year-old to miss the entire upcoming NBA season.
Hukporti had been selected to start in place of injured Sixers star Joel Embiid. Born in Stralsund, Germany, Hukporti previously suffered an identical Achilles tendon tear during the 2022 preseason in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL), which sidelined him for that entire campaign.
Contract Status and Roster Impact in Philadelphia
He signed a one-year contract worth $3.4 million with the Pennsylvania club. The roster also features veteran star LeBron James, who joined the Sixers following his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers.
The sudden loss of Hukporti thins Philadelphia’s frontcourt depth as the team prepares for the regular season without Embiid and their newly signed center.
Ariel Hukporti suffers torn Achilles tendon
When did Ariel Hukporti suffer the injury?
The injury occurred during the night leading into Tuesday during a preseason game against the New York Knicks.
How long is Ariel Hukporti’s contract with the 76ers?
Hukporti signed a one-year contract worth $3.4 million after moving from New York over the summer.
Has Hukporti suffered this exact injury before?
Yes, he suffered a torn Achilles tendon during the 2022 preseason while playing in Australia’s NBL, causing him to miss that entire season.