Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Not starting vs. Philadelphia
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Hukporti won't start against the 76ers on Saturday.
With Karl-Anthony Towns (illness) and Mitchell Robinson (ankle) both available and starting, Hukporti will slide to the second unit. The second-year center has averaged 1.5 points and 2.4 rebounds in 8.3 minutes per game across 17 appearances off the bench this season.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Grabs 16 boards in defeat
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Hukporti chipped in eight points (2-4 FG, 4-4 FT), 16 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and one steal over 28 minutes during Friday's 111-99 loss to the Hawks.
With Karl-Anthony Towns (illness) and Mitchell Robinson (ankle) sidelined for the front end of New York's back-to-back set, Hukporti got the starting nod for the fourth time this season. The second-year center made the most of the opportunity, grabbing a game- and career-high 16 rebounds. He also set a new season-best mark in blocks, matching his career high. Hukporti doesn't offer much fantasy value but could be a viable streaming option whenever Towns and Mitchell are both unavailable.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Starting Friday
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Hukporti is in the Knicks' starting lineup against the Hawks on Friday, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.
Hukporti will draw the start for Friday night's game due to the absences of Karl-Anthony Towns (illness) and Mitchell Robinson (ankle). Hukporti made his last start against the Pacers on Dec. 18, when he tallied four points, five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal over 27 minutes.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Available Wednesday
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Hukporti (lips) is available for Wednesday's game against the Spurs.
Hukporti will shed his questionable tag and suit up Wednesday after sustaining a lip laceration in Monday's win over the Pelicans. The big man has appeared in three of the Knicks' last four games and will likely continue to see increased burn with Mitchell Robinson (ankle) sidelined.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Questionable for Wednesday
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Hukporti (lips) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Spurs.
Hukporti sustained a lip laceration in Monday's win over the Pelicans and was unable to return. If the second-year center joins Mitchell Robinson (ankle) on the sidelines Wednesday, Guerschon Yabusele and Trey Jemison are candidates for increased playing time off the bench.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Won't return Monday
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Hukporti won't return to Monday's game against the Pelicans due to a mouth laceration.
The big man sustained a cut in his mouth, and it seems the problem is severe enough to keep him sidelined for the rest of the game. He'll finish with no counting stats in 12 minutes of action off the bench. Hukporti's next chance to play will come Wednesday on the road against the Spurs.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Sliding to second unit
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Hukporti won't start against the 76ers on Friday.
With Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) back in the lineup, Hukporti will retreat to the second unit after starting Thursday's win over Indiana. The Knicks will also have Mitchell Robinson (ankle) in the second leg of their back-to-back set, so Hukporti isn't likely to see significant minutes.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Joining starting five
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Hukporti is starting Thursday's game against the Pacers, Stefan Bondy of The New York Post reports.
Hukporti is in line for his third start of the season but his first since Oct. 26. He'll get a look as a starter with both Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) and Mitchell Robinson (ankle) sidelined Thursday.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Back to G League
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New York assigned Hukporti to the G League's Westchester Knicks on Tuesday.
Hukporti has 16 appearances to his name at the NBA level this season for an average of 7.9 minutes per contest, so this move will allow him to get some additional reps.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Swats three shots in win
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Hukporti registered six points (1-2 FG, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, three blocks and one steal across 23 minutes during Sunday's 106-100 win over the Magic.
With Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) out Sunday, Hukporti was able to log extended minutes and took advantage of the opportunity, posting season highs in minutes, points, rebounds and blocks. If Towns can't go Tuesday against the Raptors, Hukporti could be in line to see an expanded role again behind Mitchell Robinson.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Bench role Tuesday
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Hukporti will come off the bench during Tuesday's game against the Bucks.
Hukporti will be in the second unit with Karl-Anthony Towns (quadriceps) sliding over to the center position and Landry Shamet starting in place of Miles McBride (personal). Hukporti started the two games he's played, averaging 1.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 14.0 minutes per contest.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Moving to bench Friday
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Hukporti won't start in Friday's game against the Celtics, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.
With Miles McBride entering the starting five, Hukporti will retreat to the second unit. The second-year big man got the starting nod in Wednesday's season-opening win over Cleveland, during which he recorded two points (1-2 FG), five rebounds, two assists and one block in 18 minutes.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Set to start Wednesday
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Hukporti is expected to be in the starting lineup for Wednesday's season opener against Cleveland, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports.
Mitchell Robinson is getting the night off for load management Wednesday, so this will likely be only a spot start for Hukporti. The big man averaged just 8.7 minutes per game over 25 regular-season contests a year ago, but Hukporti carries some streaming appeal against the Cavaliers.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Grabs five boards in win
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Hukporti (illness) posted five points (2-2 FG, 1-2 FT), five rebounds and two assists across 22 minutes in Friday's 113-108 preseason win over the Hornets.
Hukporti returned to action after missing Monday's loss to the Wizards due to illness. The second-year big man led the second unit in rebounds during the win. The 23-year-old averaged just 8.7 minutes per game in 25 regular-season appearances during the 2024-25 campaign, though he could see more playing time behind Mitchell Robinson (rest) this season.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Won't suit up Monday
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Hukporti (illness) won't play in Monday's preseason game against the Wizards, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.
Head coach Mike Brown said Monday that Hukporti was expected to suit up, though he's now being held out due to illness. The big man's next opportunity to play will come in Friday's preseason finale against Charlotte.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Out with left knee sprain
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Hukporti is out for Thursday's Summer League game against the Pacers due to a left knee sprain, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.
The severity of the injury is unknown, and Hukporti can be labeled day-to-day going forward. The 2024 second-rounder is trying to make an impression this summer for a more pronounced role ahead of 2025-26, averaging 6.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 58.3 percent from the field over three Summer League outings.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Team option exercised Sunday
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The Knicks exercised their $1.96 million team option in Hukporti's contract for 2025-26 on Sunday, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports.
Hukporti will return to New York for a second season after appearing in 25 regular-season games (one start) last year, during which he averaged 1.9 points and 2.0 rebounds across 8.7 minutes per game. The 23-year-old isn't guaranteed significant playing time in 2025-26, though he could see a boost in minutes if Precious Achiuwa departs in free agency.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Available for series opener
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Hukporti (knee) is available for Saturday's Game 1 against the Pistons.
The big man will be available for the series opener, although don't expect him to play meaningful minutes in the rotation. With Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson available, Hukporti will be the third-string center in the rotation.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Iffy for Saturday
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Hukporti (knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday's Game 1 against the Pistons.
Hukporti tore his meniscus in his left knee and underwent surgery Feb. 28, though the questionable tag bodes well for the rookie. However, the 23-year-old center's potential return isn't expected to cause any waves in the rotation.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Remains without timeline
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Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau wouldn't commit Friday to Hukporti (knee) returning to action during the playoffs, noting that the rookie center is "a ways away" from being ready to play, Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News reports.
Hukporti underwent surgery Feb. 28 to address a torn meniscus and has yet to resume basketball activities. While Thibodeau didn't entirely rule Hukporti out from returning for the playoffs, the Knicks may need to make a deep run for the rookie to have a realistic chance at playing again. Hukporti will finish the regular season with averages of 1.9 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 8.7 minutes per contest over 25 appearances.
