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.
Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Plays two minutes in Game 6 loss
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Hukporti registered zero points (0-2 FT) over two minutes during Saturday's 125-108 loss to Indiana in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Hukporti made his third appearance of the playoffs during garbage time Saturday. The rookie second-rounder appeared in 25 regular-season games during the 2024-25 campaign, finishing with averages of 1.9 points and 2.0 rebounds across 8.7 minutes per game. The 23-year-old big man also played in seven games with the club's G League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks, where he averaged 6.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks across 21.1 minutes per game. The Knicks hold a team option on Hukporti's contract, and if New York chooses to exercise it, he would be slated to become a restricted free agent ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
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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.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Not yet practicing
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Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said Tuesday that Hukporti (knee) isn't doing much in practice other than individual work, Kristian Winfield of the New York Daily News reports.
Hukporti is on the mend from surgery to address a torn meniscus, which he underwent Feb. 28. Though Hukporti hasn't experienced any reported complications in his recovery, the rookie isn't guaranteed to make it back on the court before the end of the regular season. Even when healthy this season, Hukporti has largely been outside of the rotation, appearing in 25 games while averaging 8.7 minutes.
Hukporti will miss the next four to six weeks for the Knicks after suffering a torn meniscus in his left knee, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Hukporti went down with a left knee injury during Wednesday's win over the 76ers. The 22-year-old big man logged 16 minutes as a starter before being ruled out for the game, finishing with eight points, two rebounds and one block. New York was already thin in the frontcourt while awaiting the return of Mitchell Robinson (ankle), and now, they will have to pivot once again. Precious Achiuwa will likely see more time on the floor for the Knicks.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Early exit Wednesday
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Hukporti has been ruled out for the remainder of Wednesday's game against the 76ers due to a sprained left knee.
Hukporti limped off the court and got his knee wrapped earlier in the contest before returning to action. However, the injury proved to be too much to play through, and he'll watch the remainder of the contest from the sidelines. Hukporti logged eight points (4-5 FG), two rebounds and a block over 16 minutes before exiting. Expect Precious Achiuwa to see plenty of action the rest of the way. Hukporti's next chance to play will come Friday at Memphis.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Starting vs. Philadelphia
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Hukporti is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the 76ers.
The Knicks will be without Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) and Mitchell Robinson (ankle), so Hukporti is the next man up at center and will get the nod here. This will be the first start of the rookie's career in The Association. He's averaging 1.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.5 blocks across 8.4 minutes per game in 24 contests off the bench this season.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Logs 17 minutes in OT win
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Hukporti totaled two points (1-1 FG), five rebounds and one block in 17 minutes in Thursday's 113-111 overtime win over the Bulls.
Hukporti hasn't had consistent playing time this season, but with Precious Achiuwa thrust into the starting lineup Thursday, the rookie also saw an uptick in playing time. Achiuwa getting minutes at power forward with OG Anunoby (foot) and Josh Hart (knee) banged up bodes well for Hukporti getting more opportunities, at least until Mitchell Robinson (ankle) makes his season debut.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Logs 19 minutes in win
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Hukporti totaled six points (3-3 FG, 0-1 FT), five rebounds and two assists over 19 minutes during Tuesday's 121-115 victory over the Raptors.
Hukporti played a season-high 19 minutes, seemingly moving ahead of Jericho Sims in the rotation. With Precious Achiuwa playing as the starting power forward, Hukporti slid in as the backup center behind Karl-Anthony Towns. Although Hukporti's production was quite modest, it is something to monitor moving forward given the shallow rotation typically utilized in New York.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Cleared vs. Grizzlies
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Hukporti (illness) is available for Monday's game against Memphis.
Hukporti was added to the injury report as questionable due to illness, but it won't keep him from Monday's action. He's not currently part of the regular rotation, making only three appearances in New York's last 16 matchups.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Iffy for Monday
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Hukporti (illness) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Grizzlies.
Hukporti is still working to recover from the illness that kept him from playing in Saturday's 143-120 win over the Kings. He has seen sparse playing time for the Knicks this season when available, so his potential absence Monday won't affect the team's rotation.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Won't play against Sacramento
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Hukporti (illness) is out for Saturday's game versus the Kings.
Hukporti hasn't been a regular part of the rotation this season, so his absence should go largely unnoticed.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Returns from G League
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The Knicks recalled Hukporti from the G League's Westchester Knicks on Saturday.
Hukporti will rejoin the Knicks ahead of Saturday's game against the Kings, but it's unclear if he'll actually be available after he sat out Friday in Westchester's 123-109 win over the Maine Celtics due to an illness. Even if he's healthy enough to play Saturday, Hukporti is unlikely to be included in the rotation.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Back with parent club
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New York recalled Hukporti from the G League's Westchester Knicks on Wednesday.
Hukporti will be back with the Knicks to provide added depth in the frontcourt in Wednesday's game against the 76ers, but he's unlikely to see any playing time if the contest is competitive.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Brought back from G League
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The Knicks recalled Hukporti from the G League's Westchester Knicks on Monday.
Hukporti will rejoin the parent club ahead of its matchup against the Magic on Monday. With Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) listed as questionable for the contest, Hukporti could be needed in the rotation Monday. The rookie is a member of the Knicks' 15-man roster, though he hasn't appeared in an NBA game since Dec. 19.
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