NBA2d ago
Hukporti Exits 76ers Preseason Opener With Right Leg Injury
Backup center leaves after five minutes against former team as frontcourt remains thin
By OddsListing wire desk
· 2 min read
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Early Exit in Opener
The 76ers lost their backup center just five minutes into the preseason opener against the Knicks on Monday. Ariel Hukporti went down with a right leg injury on the defensive end with 7:06 left in the first quarter. The non-contact issue forced him to the floor, where he grabbed his lower right leg. He was helped off during the next timeout and did not return after halftime confirmation.
Thin Frontcourt Situation
Hukporti started the game against his former team after signing a one-year, $3.4 million deal in July. Philadelphia already faced limited options up front. Joel Embiid, who missed 150 games over the last three seasons due to various ailments, sat out along with Tyrese Maxey and LeBron James as healthy scratches. The team also went without Adem Bona and Tacko Fall.
Additional Absences and Outlook
Bona has not practiced in training camp after a left foot sprain suffered during the offseason. Tacko Fall, the 7-5 center on an Exhibit 10 deal, was diagnosed with a left hip sprain following an MRI last Wednesday and will be checked again in about two weeks. The coach expressed hope that most players would be ready for two of the three remaining preseason contests, which include road games against the Nets on Thursday and the Celtics on Saturday before the home finale on Oct. 16.
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