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.
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