February 28: Hukporti underwent surgery on Friday to address his left meniscus tear and will be reevaluated in four-to-six weeks, according to the Knicks (Twitter link).
February 27: Knicks center Ariel Hukporti made his first career start in Wednesday’s victory over Philadelphia, recording eight points, two rebounds and a block in 16 minutes. Unfortunately, the German big man also sustained a significant injury during the game.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link), the 22-year-old is expected to be sidelined for the next four-to-six weeks after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee.
Steve Popper of Newsday confirms (via Twitter) that Hukporti will be out for an extended period, though he hears the team is still evaluating the test results and it’s not yet certain that Hukporti sustained a meniscus injury.
The 58th and final pick of the 2024 draft, Hukporti has received sporadic playing time during his rookie season, averaging 1.9 points and 2.0 rebounds in 8.7 minutes per game across 25 appearances.
It’s a tough blow for Hukporti, who was initially signed to a two-way contract but was converted to a standard deal in early November in part to navigate New York’s salary cap situation. The Knicks hold a minimum-salary team option on his contract for 2025/26.
If Hukporti is able to return at the conservative end of the timeline Charania reported — six weeks — he would back just in time for the end of the regular season in mid-April. Returning sooner would obviously give him more time to prepare as the Knicks prepare for a playoff push — they’re currently the No. 3 seed in the East, with a record of 38-20.
On a more positive note, Mitchell Robinson is reportedly on track to make his season debut this weekend, so he should help fortify the Knicks’ frontcourt depth, which will be a little more thin with Hukporti out. Precious Achiuwa is another candidate for more minutes at backup center.
The Knicks also have an open roster spot and will be able to squeeze in a rest-of-season minimum-salary contract for a 15th man below their hard cap as of Friday.
Being a Knicks Center = the world’s most dangerous job.
At least Mitch should be back this weekend. How long though, of course, is the key question.
Being a Knicks center while playing the sixers
Unbelievable !!!!!
Man he was starting to come around. Get well Ariel. Playoffs are coming player.
Mitch to the rescue ….. fact is Mitch can help himself immensely now. The world will be watching. All we need is the best Mitch for 20-24 mins. Look what it did for IHart …….
> All we need is the best Mitch for 20-24 mins. Look what it did for IHart
Whoa. Mitch is gonna get paid?! Already forgetting that he hasn’t shot 50% from the line in 5 years? Last season, he shot 40% from the line. That means he’s unplayable at crunch time and in the playoffs. He’s also about the worst offensive player in the league at 8 points per 36 mins.
IHart is getting paid $30M/yr. Mitch’s next contract will be for 1/5 of that.
Its too easy to shoot you down. You only got BS dude. You don’t have facts or research what you criticize. You hate just to hate. You do understand everything you write is here for all to see, right. Doesn’t bother me being critical of Knicks. Just know what you are saying. At least get half of it right.
Go look up IHart stats before he hot Knicks. Then kiss Thibs seat. Only reason he got mins. Is cause Mitch got hurt. I applaud him. Took full advantage. I don’t hate on players like you. I’m a truth teller vased on facts and my talent vision.
Before his year with Knick genius. Wiseman had better stats than IHart. Again kiss Thibs once more. He was paid more than market value. Way more. He didn’t want to leave.
We dont need offense from Mitch. We need his D and rebounding. His mins to help bench. He has the highest FG% in history of game. FT shooting who cares lol. Just make one. Offensive rebounding is what we need. Hit me back when you figure out what I just wrote lol
Al, don’t waste your breath on Aristotle. He’s a Knicks hater who doesn’t actually know anything about the team.
I wish Moses Brown was still an option.
I’m still waiting for TJ Warren or Okeke
Okeke signed elsewhere. It’ll be Warren and he’ll be a great fit, I bet he grabs Shamet’s minutes
rct , I have nothing against the Knicks.
I’m responding to KnickerbockerAl’s constantly telling the world he’s always right, and personally insulting those that disagree. A thread doesn’t go by where Al doesn’t assert his renowned (in his words) “talent vision” as proof he’s smarter than the rest of us.
I posted without prejudice this past summer that it was a big mistake to overpay OG. A torrent of personal attacks followed.
Ive never responded to you till now lol. You got no game. Just BS to support yourself. Talent vision is a gift. Ive been right More than 60%. Thats better than most teams. I don’t care who thinks what. I got talent live with it. Nothing you said about Knicks is based on fact. And if its your take. You can’t even argue it. Or explain with stats or real takes. I’m as thorough as can be. Cause I know this game and follow it. Im sorry I know more than you. Confidence comes with knowing what you talk about. And if its my opinion. Im confident enough to argue it or accept Im wrong. But I dont open my mouth if I don’t know. Like you do.
Always right is what losers say. Prove me wrong I can take it. Just know when it comes to Knicks. I have vast knowledge and love for my team.
What does being right even mean ???? Its basketball its not that difficult. I dont trash the game or players like 50% of posters here.
You chose to trash Knicks …. Now you crying like the B…. You are. If you said anything that made sense. I would commend you. Worse you lie to get pity. Yeah ……. Thats whar 12 yr old does.
Now go change your name …… Mitch is coming for you.
KnickerbockerAl said:
> Talent vision is a gift. Ive been right More than 60%.
> Thats better than most teams. I don’t care who
> thinks what. I got talent live with it.
Seriously, are you alright? Have you sought professional help?
@rct
aristotle is a hater of everything that is not the Warriors. Hes Davey J real father and if you dont agree with their opinions, then “you dont know ball” as what they would say.
Mitch just called ne lol …….
He said WTF is this “aristotle”. Does this troll know who I am. I taught IHart offensive rebounding.
Mitch said- Does he watch Knick games.
I said- I don’t think so Mitch
Mitch said- tell this trol to look up Cavs series in 2023. The one we won in 5. And I controlled the paint and boards.
I said- yes Mitch I will tell him. Great series man by the way.
Mitch said- does this fool know I avg 28.3 mins a gm
I said- nah he don’t know bro.
Mitch said – does he know I shot 18/28 FG%.643
I said- nah he don’t know Mitch
Mitch said- does this troll know I shot FT% .364
I said- yeah I think he knows that Mitch
Mitch said- well Freak him. He know I led team in reb with 49.
I said- nah he definitely don’t know that bro
Mitch said- does this fool know I avg 8 pts and 10 rebs in 28 mins.
I said- definitely don’t know that Mitch
Mitch said- WTF this man know KnickerbockerAl. He know I even avg 1ast, 1stl, 1blk a gm bro.
I said- aristotle dont know much Mitch. But I will school him bro. Just get healthy ok.
Mitch said- tell that troll I owned the Cavs. And I hope we see them again ………
Yes Sir ………. aristurtle catchup bro. Mitch is watching ……..
Mr Talent Vision. No better way to trash your credibility with a post like this.
No. practicing with Mitchell Robinson did not get Hartenstein a $90 million deal. Tom Thibodeau doesn’t get the credit either.
The world doesn’t revolve around the Knicks dude.
Yeah you got me figured out. Its a Knicks board. And Im talking to one person. And you want the world in on it. Do we have to say anything else.
Al, no! It’s NOT a Knicks board. And that’s the point.
95% of us aren’t here to worship the Knicks. Stop insulting us.
Knicks have good and bad like all teams. Deal with it.
There are plenty of free Knicks boards. Why not use them instead of trashing every thread you post in.
Agreed. I love the minutes and defensive presence that Huk was giving us. Mitch’s return would decrease his minutes but I don’t want Mitch carrying around this “savior” thing, either. That’s a lot of pressure to put on the guy.
Al- wow, personal attacks. Sounds like the facts hit a nerve.
I mentioned free throws and scoring. Tell me exactly which facts about Mitch are incorrect.
I’ll wait.
Al, just stop insulting people dude
It would be nice to have a Knicks thread on here that doesn’t devolve into personal pettiness
It’s like a boxing match in here