Former Knicks center Ariel Hukporti suffered a noncontact ankle injury just five minutes into his 76ers debut during Monday's preseason opener, per New York Post. He collapsed to the court while planting his foot, raising immediate concerns of a severe tear. Hukporti departed the arena on crutches and in a protective boot, dealing a significant blow to his fresh start on a one-year, $3.4 million contract with Philadelphia. The injury compounds depth challenges at center for the Knicks, who also lost Mitchell Robinson to the Celtics this offseason. Jalen Brunson and coach Mike Brown both expressed sadness for their former teammate, with Brown noting the setback undermines an opportunity Hukporti had rightfully earned.