Sixers Center Ariel Hukporti Suffers Season-Ending Achilles Tear in Preseason Opener

One of the Philadelphia Sixers' under-the-radar offseason signings will miss the entire season.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Ariel Hukporti has suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon and will miss the entire 2026-27 season after spending his first two years of his career with the Knicks.

He was brought to Philadelphia as a secondary rim protector and to provide some much-needed depth behind Joel Embiid at center.

In the Sixers-Knicks second-round series, Hukporti gave New York some solid backup minutes as their No. 3 center, including a line of 5 PTS, 9 REB, 2 BLK in 17 MIN in the Knicks' Game 1 win.

• Minutes: 10.8 MPG

• Points: 3.0 PPG

• Rebounds: 4.3 RPG

• Blocks: 0.5 BPG

Preseason Injury Shocks Sixers Frontcourt

He suffered the non-contact injury during the first half of the Sixers preseason opener against his former team.

The Sixers said on Tuesday that Hukporti will undergo surgery later today. Further updates will be provided as appropriate.

Philadelphia’s Thinning Center Depth

Without him, the 76ers’ center depth takes a big hit with Adem Bona already dealing with a foot sprain.

Internal Small-Ball Options & Roster Availability

Jabari Walker and Dominick Barlow could be possible in-house small-ball options, and Tacko Fall, who signed an Exhibit 10 deal, is on the shelf with a hip strain and likely won't be ready to open the season.

Salary Cap Impact & First Apron Constraints

While the Sixers will get awarded a $1.7M Disabled Player Exception, they will not be able to replace Hukporti despite having an open roster spot, because of the first apron.