Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Decent numbers in increased role
Rotowire
Hukporti totaled seven points (3-4 FG, 1-1 FT), five rebounds, one assist and one block in 21 minutes during Tuesday's 137-134 overtime loss to the Pacers.
Hukporti served as the primary backup behind Karl-Anthony Towns, replacing Mitchell Robinson, who was ruled out as part of his injury management. Hukporti wasn't prolific, but he shot the ball well and racked up five boards along with a swat in just 21 minutes. However, there is no reason to chase him in fantasy outside of very deep formats.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Flirts with double-double off bench
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Hukporti closed with 12 points (5-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), nine rebounds, one assist and two blocks in 22 minutes during Tuesday's 132-101 win over the Wizards.
With Mitchell Robinson (ankle) sitting out and Tuesday's contest getting out of hand early, Hukporti got a chance to shine off the bench as the No. 2 center option behind Karl-Anthony Towns. However, it was the first time that Hukporti logged at least 20 minutes since a Jan. 2 spot start versus the Hawks, and the second-year big man could fall out of the rotation altogether with Robinson expected back Wednesday against Denver.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Recalled by New York
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Hukporti was recalled by the Knicks on Friday.
Hukporti had a brief stint with the Westchester Knicks in the G League but has already returned to the NBA roster. The big man is averaging 1.6 points and 2.8 boards per game in 29 regular-season appearances for the Knicks in 2025-26.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Gets garbage-time run in blowout
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Hukporti recorded two points (1-2 FG), five rebounds and one block in 11 minutes Wednesday in the Knicks' 120-66 win over the Nets.
Recalled from the G League's Westchester Knicks prior to Wednesday's contest, Hukporti was outside of head coach Mike Brown's rotation but took the floor for all but one minute of the fourth quarter after New York had built a 32-point lead heading into the final period. Since playing time at the NBA level has been relatively scarce of late for the second-year center, he could rejoin Westchester ahead of Friday's home game against the Windy City Bulls to pick up some extended minutes.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Available Wednesday
Rotowire
Hukporti (quadriceps) is available to play in Wednesday's game against the Kings.
Hukporti will shed a questionable tag related to a right quadriceps strain and be available Wednesday for the Knicks. He remains a fringe rotation piece, though, and isn't guaranteed to see the floor versus the Kings.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Iffy for Wednesday
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Hukporti is questionable for Wednesday against the Kings with a right quadriceps strain.
Hukporti is not typically a rotation player for the Knicks when the team is close to full strength, so this news is unlikely to have a big fantasy impact.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Not starting vs. Philadelphia
Rotowire
Hukporti won't start against the 76ers on Saturday.
With Karl-Anthony Towns (illness) and Mitchell Robinson (ankle) both available and starting, Hukporti will slide to the second unit. The second-year center has averaged 1.5 points and 2.4 rebounds in 8.3 minutes per game across 17 appearances off the bench this season.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Grabs 16 boards in defeat
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Hukporti chipped in eight points (2-4 FG, 4-4 FT), 16 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and one steal over 28 minutes during Friday's 111-99 loss to the Hawks.
With Karl-Anthony Towns (illness) and Mitchell Robinson (ankle) sidelined for the front end of New York's back-to-back set, Hukporti got the starting nod for the fourth time this season. The second-year center made the most of the opportunity, grabbing a game- and career-high 16 rebounds. He also set a new season-best mark in blocks, matching his career high. Hukporti doesn't offer much fantasy value but could be a viable streaming option whenever Towns and Mitchell are both unavailable.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Available Wednesday
Rotowire
Hukporti (lips) is available for Wednesday's game against the Spurs.
Hukporti will shed his questionable tag and suit up Wednesday after sustaining a lip laceration in Monday's win over the Pelicans. The big man has appeared in three of the Knicks' last four games and will likely continue to see increased burn with Mitchell Robinson (ankle) sidelined.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Won't return Monday
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Hukporti won't return to Monday's game against the Pelicans due to a mouth laceration.
The big man sustained a cut in his mouth, and it seems the problem is severe enough to keep him sidelined for the rest of the game. He'll finish with no counting stats in 12 minutes of action off the bench. Hukporti's next chance to play will come Wednesday on the road against the Spurs.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Sliding to second unit
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Hukporti won't start against the 76ers on Friday.
With Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) back in the lineup, Hukporti will retreat to the second unit after starting Thursday's win over Indiana. The Knicks will also have Mitchell Robinson (ankle) in the second leg of their back-to-back set, so Hukporti isn't likely to see significant minutes.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Back to G League
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New York assigned Hukporti to the G League's Westchester Knicks on Tuesday.
Hukporti has 16 appearances to his name at the NBA level this season for an average of 7.9 minutes per contest, so this move will allow him to get some additional reps.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Bench role Tuesday
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Hukporti will come off the bench during Tuesday's game against the Bucks.
Hukporti will be in the second unit with Karl-Anthony Towns (quadriceps) sliding over to the center position and Landry Shamet starting in place of Miles McBride (personal). Hukporti started the two games he's played, averaging 1.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 14.0 minutes per contest.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Moving to bench Friday
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Hukporti won't start in Friday's game against the Celtics, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic reports.
With Miles McBride entering the starting five, Hukporti will retreat to the second unit. The second-year big man got the starting nod in Wednesday's season-opening win over Cleveland, during which he recorded two points (1-2 FG), five rebounds, two assists and one block in 18 minutes.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Set to start Wednesday
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Hukporti is expected to be in the starting lineup for Wednesday's season opener against Cleveland, Ian Begley of SportsNet New York reports.
Mitchell Robinson is getting the night off for load management Wednesday, so this will likely be only a spot start for Hukporti. The big man averaged just 8.7 minutes per game over 25 regular-season contests a year ago, but Hukporti carries some streaming appeal against the Cavaliers.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Grabs five boards in win
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Hukporti (illness) posted five points (2-2 FG, 1-2 FT), five rebounds and two assists across 22 minutes in Friday's 113-108 preseason win over the Hornets.
Hukporti returned to action after missing Monday's loss to the Wizards due to illness. The second-year big man led the second unit in rebounds during the win. The 23-year-old averaged just 8.7 minutes per game in 25 regular-season appearances during the 2024-25 campaign, though he could see more playing time behind Mitchell Robinson (rest) this season.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Won't suit up Monday
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Hukporti (illness) won't play in Monday's preseason game against the Wizards, Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reports.
Head coach Mike Brown said Monday that Hukporti was expected to suit up, though he's now being held out due to illness. The big man's next opportunity to play will come in Friday's preseason finale against Charlotte.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Out with left knee sprain
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Hukporti is out for Thursday's Summer League game against the Pacers due to a left knee sprain, Steve Popper of Newsday reports.
The severity of the injury is unknown, and Hukporti can be labeled day-to-day going forward. The 2024 second-rounder is trying to make an impression this summer for a more pronounced role ahead of 2025-26, averaging 6.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 58.3 percent from the field over three Summer League outings.
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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.
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Knicks' Ariel Hukporti: Available for series opener
Rotowire
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.
