76ers Center Exits Preseason Opener Early With Achilles Injury

The injury concern for the Philadelphia 76ers has reared its ugly head, and the season hasn’t even started.

In the 76ers’ preseason opener, they lost a key piece to their center depth. Ariel Hukporti was defending a New York Knicks player when he suddenly pulled up and grabbed at the back of his ankle. It is believed to be an Achilles injury. If so, this could end his season before it even begins. This is an unfortunate turn of events for not only the 76ers but also for Hukporti, who was battling for the backup center position with Adem Bona. 

Hukporti was excited for the opportunity to have a role here in Philadelphia. Coming from the New York Knicks, where he would play in a few games and be inactive because of how the Knicks rotation was implemented, it was a breath of fresh air coming to the city of brotherly love. 

With Hukporti out for the foreseeable future, the depth behind the center position has worsened, and Embiid hasn’t even played a meaningful minute of basketball.  One of the saving graces is that they still have Bona, who many expected to be the backup, but he’s dealing with an injury that should be healed by opening day. If Bona’s injury becomes persistent, they’ll have to go to their reserves and hope it can be sustainable.

Remember, Tacko Fall was signed to an exhibit 10 contract as an emergency situation. Well, the emergency situation has already presented itself. If the 76ers don’t want to go down that route, they’ll have to find another solution. It could mean having to play Jabari Walker. Walker could be a bright spot in this otherwise bleak predicament. 

The other option would be to have to switch how they  set their lineups and move some players around. This roster is composed of plenty of guards, and that could mean that it’s just going to be about changing the pace of the game. The team may have to sacrifice interior presence and just relegate themselves to the “small ball” narrative where no player is taller than 6'6" on the court. 

If Hukporti’s injury is as bad as anticipated, the team may have to look to the free agency pool and try to see if they can sign someone, and that may not be possible given their cap space. Head coach Nick Nurse will have to figure out something, or this may be a constant problem for the 76ers throughout the season.