PHILADELPHIA — Former Knicks reserve Ariel Hukporti suffered a noncontact injury just five minutes into his Sixers career.
The center collapsed to the court after planting his foot in Monday’s preseason opener, holding the back of his right ankle. He was helped off the court by former teammate Karl-Anthony Towns.
Hukporti played two seasons with the Knicks — winning a championship as the third-string center — before leaving in free agency.
He signed a one-year, $3.4 million deal with the Sixers, leaving the Knicks searching for center depth because they also lost second-stringer Mitchell Robinson, to the Celtics.
Before Monday’s game, Knicks coach Mike Brown said he was happy for Hukporti.
“You got a special person. I know he’s gonna work his tail off.
He’s athletic, he’s quick, he’s strong, he’s relentless,” Brown said. “This is Year 3 for him, and I know that he can do more than probably what he showed. And to be able to come in this environment, knowing he has a chance to fight for some true backup minutes. He was the third guy with us behind Mitch and KAT. To know he can impact the game on another level. He might be able to start. To be able to fight for that here, I’m happy for him, and everybody will be pleasantly surprised what he brings to the table every time he steps on the floor.”
The Sixers injected their roster with star power and Brown is taking notice.
“They’re just loaded, man,” Brown said said. “Multiple-time All-Star, multiple-time All-Star, multiple-time All-Star. … MVP candidate, MVP candidate, MVP candidate. I remember back in the day, [Gregg Popovich] said, when I was an assistant for him with the Spurs, that there is a change from having two All-Stars on your team to having three. He brought it to our attention as a staff. He was like, you need at least three NBA All-Stars, and not just one-offs, but perennial All-Stars, to go win a championship. And you look at the Sixers now, and they got as many All-Stars, or guys of that nature, as they had in Miami when LeBron was down there.”
The Sixers have four multiple-time All-Stars in their starting lineup with LeBron James, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid.
James and Brown are the newcomers.
“They’re definitely going to be one of the teams that are contending in the East, and in my opinion, it just got harder for everybody with the team that they assembled here,” Brown said.
Still, the unveiling of the new Sixers had to wait. Coach Nick Nurse rested most of his starters — including James and Embiid — for Monday’s preseason opener, while the Knicks planned to play everybody except backup point guard Jose Alvarado (knee contusion).
Brown lauded Towns’ level of engagement and fitness when asked how the center has handled his stagnant contract extension negotiations.
“He was in great shape coming to camp. We have a conditioning test, and he passed it the first time,” Brown said. “He looks good on the floor. I moved him around from the center spot to different spots on the floor, and he looks like he has a pretty good feel for it, and so I truly love the way that he’s been practicing and how in tune and how in shape he is.”
Earlier Monday, Towns reiterated that he doesn’t expect an extension agreement before the start of the season. The Knicks have offered four years and approximately $200 million according to sources, which is $77 million less than Towns’ max.
“Simply put, I want to do something to keep the team together and can work with the Knicks and also values me,” Towns said. “And none of those things are close to happening.”
