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Ariel Hukporti injury update is bad news for LeBron James and Sixers

The Philadelphia 76ers' preseason hopes took a major setback when backup center Ariel Hukporti suffered a torn right Achilles tendon just five minutes into his debut with the team. The injury occurred during a defensive play against Karl-Anthony Towns in the first quarter of the Sixers' preseason opener against the New York Knicks, forcing Hukporti to exit the game at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

The 76ers confirmed the severity of the injury on Tuesday, revealing Hukporti will miss the entire 2026-27 season. Hukporti, who joined Philadelphia this offseason after spending time with the Knicks, signed a one-year, $3.4 million deal to compete for a rotational spot at center.

The loss of Hukporti, who was already battling for minutes, adds further depth to the Sixers' frontcourt challenges ahead of the regular season. LeBron James, now in his first season with the team, faces an even more crowded center position without Hukporti’s presence.

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