Ariel Hukporti's right Achilles tear is confirmed season-ending, with surgery scheduled for Tuesday and a return not expected until next October. Philadelphia opened preseason with a 120-97 win over the Knicks, but the center rotation now has one fewer healthy body heading toward the October 20 opener.
How bad is Hukporti's injury, really?
It's a torn right Achilles, confirmed by multiple reports out of camp, and it ends his first Sixers season before it officially began. Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6, and the current return estimate is October 1, 2027. That's not a setback to monitor — that's a full year gone for a player signed to be depth behind Embiid and Fall.
Who actually plays backup center now?
Tacko Fall is the obvious answer, but he's still working back from a hip and torso issue first listed on October 1, with a return estimate of October 16. Adem Bona has a foot and leg issue that's been open since September 17 with no resolution logged. Neither is a confirmed yes for opening night against New York.
Will the front office go get a center?
Liberty Ballers raised the question directly, asking how Philadelphia could add a backup big after the injury, and Justin Grasso of The Sixer Sense argued against any panic move. Nothing has been reported as done. The payroll sits at $213.2 million, already above the $200.4 million tax line and into apron territory, which narrows what a trade or minimum signing can actually look like.
What actually happened in the opener?
Philadelphia beat the Knicks 120-97 on October 5, with Jaylen Brown going 8-for-13 overall and 3-for-5 from three in just 17 minutes before the second unit took over. Caleb Love added 15 off the bench with 6 assists, and VJ Edgecombe ran the offense efficiently with 7 assists and zero turnovers in 20 minutes. It's preseason, but the shooting touch was real.
When's the next look at this group?
Philadelphia plays at the Nets on October 8, then at the Celtics on October 10, both still preseason. The games that count start October 20, a rematch with the team that swept Philadelphia out of the second round last season. Until then, every center minute is also an audition for who backs up Embiid when it matters.
Is Ariel Hukporti out for the whole 2026-27 season?
Yes. His torn right Achilles is season-ending, with surgery set for Tuesday, October 6, and an estimated return of October 1, 2027.
Will the Sixers sign a new backup center?
Nothing has been reported as agreed. Outlets have floated the idea, but with the payroll at $213.2 million and above the first apron, any addition would have to come cheap.
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Postgame · Mon, Oct 5Bench Outscores Starters 77-43 in a 120-97 Preseason Win
Morning · Tue, Oct 6Sixers Open 120-97, but Hukporti's Night Ends in the Trainer's Room
Morning · Mon, Oct 5Sixer Sense: Scrimmage Buzz Can't Paper Over Thin Guard Depth
Morning · Sun, Oct 4Sixer Sense: 76ers Ready to Give Hukporti the Break the Knicks Never Did
Morning · Sat, Oct 3Bona's Return Date Keeps Landing on Game Day