Brown scores 22 as Sixers beat Knicks; Hukporti undergoes Achilles surgery

Jaylen Brown scored 22 points in 17 minutes as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the New York Knicks 120–97 in Monday's preseason opener at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Philadelphia pulled away with a 39-point second quarter, then maintained a double-digit advantage while both teams gave their reserves extended work.

The win also brought an injury concern. Starting center Ariel Hukporti left after five minutes. Nick Nurse said afterward that Hukporti had a right Achilles injury and would undergo imaging Tuesday, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. That was the information available after Monday’s game. Philadelphia subsequently confirmed the diagnosis and surgery, as detailed in the October 7 update below.

Hukporti's departure came on a night when Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and LeBron James did not play. Walker and Wade took frontcourt minutes after Hukporti departed. The Inquirer reported that Adem Bona was out with a foot injury and Dominick Barlow was sidelined with a back issue, reducing Philadelphia's available options at center.

Brown gave the Sixers an efficient scoring start, making eight of 13 shots and three of five three-pointers. He added two rebounds and two assists without a turnover. VJ Edgecombe contributed 12 points and seven assists in 20 minutes, also finishing without a turnover.

New York trailed only 33–32 after the first quarter. Philadelphia then scored 39 points to the Knicks' 26 in the second, reaching halftime ahead 72–58. SNY's game report identifies Brown and Caleb Love's scoring during that stretch as part of the separation, with Love finishing the half with a three-pointer at the buzzer.

The reserves supplied more than a holding operation. Love finished with 15 points, six assists and no turnovers in 24 minutes. Jabari Walker had 11 points and 11 rebounds in 19 minutes, including three three-pointers. Saint Thomas added another double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds in 15 minutes. Dillon Jones scored 11 and collected six rebounds.

For the Knicks, Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby each scored 12. Brunson played 15 minutes, shooting four of eight, while Landry Shamet supplied 10 points off the bench. Andre Drummond had six points, five rebounds and three blocks in 12 minutes.

The shooting gap was substantial. New York made eight of 41 three-point attempts, compared with Philadelphia's 16 of 46. The Sixers also converted 22 of 28 free throws; the Knicks made 19 of 32. Philadelphia led 93–79 after three quarters and outscored New York 27–18 in the fourth.

Philadelphia finished with 29 assists, compared with New York's 23, and collected 53 rebounds to the Knicks' 51. Its largest lead was 26 points. Brown finished without a turnover, as did Edgecombe and Love, giving the Sixers productive scoring and distribution across their shorter appearances. At the time of Monday’s game report, Hukporti was scheduled for Tuesday imaging.

October 7 injury update

Philadelphia confirmed that an MRI showed Ariel Hukporti had torn his right Achilles tendon. The team subsequently reported that he underwent successful surgery Tuesday, according to NBA.com’s updated report. The diagnosis replaces the uncertainty described after Monday’s preseason opener; no return timetable is stated in the league report.