Unfortunately, ESPN's Shams Charania confirmed our worst fears Tuesday afternoon, reporting that Philadelphia Sixers center Ariel Hukporti suffered a season-ending ruptured right Achilles tendon. It's another tough blow to the team's center depth, with Adem Bona (ankle) and Tacko Fall (hip) out with injuries. What fans can be especially grateful for right now, at least, is Joel Embiid.
In August, pictures and videos of Embiid working out circulated online, showing him in much better shape than in years past. Now that practice is back in session and preseason is underway, we've only heard and seen more about his physical condition, all positive, like how he's supposedly back down to the weight he was as a rookie.
For a team looking to end their championship drought now that Jaylen Brown and LeBron James are in town, that's great news. But now that Hukporti, who impressed at training camp, is done for the season, the Sixers really need Embiid to be at his best.
That doesn't mean Philadelphia should expect Embiid, who hasn't played more than 39 regular-season games in the past three years, to be available for somewhere in the 65-game range, which he has only done twice (though he did play 63 games in 2017-18, and 64 in 2018-19). But it does put more pressure on him.
Joel Embiid is in great shape, but there are still concerns
Embiid is exactly where Philadelphia needs him to be to start the season, and that's just about all they can ask for right now. He not only seems to be in better physical shape, but he also seems genuinely happy. Both are great, but they don't erase the concerns about his availability.
Swapping Paul George for Brown, one of the league's more durable players, took some pressure off Embiid's shoulders. Having LeBron James helps, too; though, like the center, his minutes will need to be managed.
The Sixers want Embiid in as good shape as possible entering the playoffs, which means they will rely on the big men behind him to make that happen. Hukporti was part of that, but now Philadelphia can't turn to him.
Sixers don't have the needed depth behind Embiid
If Embiid has to miss time beyond load management, the Sixers will have Bona, who may return soon, Jabari Walker, and Dominick Barlow. The latter two aren't traditional centers, but they're options, as is Fall, who gives Philadelphia the size it desperately needs, though he's on an Exhibit 10 contract. LeBron can also spend time at the five in small-ball lineups.
Nick Nurse will have to get creative if the Sixers are without Embiid for an extended period, and that's not ideal for a team with its sights set on winning a title. Their lack of size, with Embiid and Hukporti both standing at seven feet, could turn into more of a sticking point than it already is.
While Embiid is exactly where the Sixers want him, that doesn't make losing some of the insurance behind him more manageable. It just puts more emphasis on his health, which isn't a position you really want to be in, given his history. Maybe he can change the narrative.
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