Philadelphia — Ariel Hukporti, the former New York Knicks center, sustained a noncontact injury just five minutes into his debut with the Philadelphia 76ers during Monday’s preseason game. Hukporti collapsed after planting his foot and immediately clutched the back of his right ankle. He was assisted off the court by former teammate Karl-Anthony Towns amid fears of a serious Achilles injury. Hukporti left the arena using crutches and wearing a walking boot.

Hukporti joined the 76ers this summer on a one-year, $3.4 million contract after spending two seasons with the Knicks, where he served as the third-string center on a championship-winning team. His departure has compounded the Knicks’ challenges at the center position, as Mitchell Robinson, their second-string center, recently signed with the Boston Celtics.

Knicks head coach Mike Brown expressed sympathy for Hukporti and wished him a swift recovery. “You hate to see anybody go down with an injury, but especially somebody who is the caliber of person that Ariel is,” Brown said prior to the game. He also acknowledged the opportunity Philadelphia provided Hukporti, which now appears uncertain due to the injury.

Philadelphia’s Jalen Brunson, who recently returned from wrist surgery, commented on Hukporti’s injury after the game, calling it “definitely heartbreaking” and noted he went to check on his former teammate in the locker room. Brunson himself appeared healthy, scoring 12 points in 15 minutes while shooting 50 percent, including 40 percent from three-point range, in his first game since undergoing surgery in early July for a tendon injury.

The 76ers dominated the contest, defeating the Knicks 120-97. However, head coach Nick Nurse opted to rest most of the team’s star players, including LeBron James and Joel Embiid. Philadelphia’s roster features multiple All-Stars, including newcomers James and Jaylen Brown joining established stars Tyrese Maxey and Embiid.

Brown, reflecting on the challenge posed by the bolstered 76ers lineup, remarked on the importance of having multiple perennial All-Stars to contend for a championship, citing a lesson from former Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. “They’re just loaded, man,” Brown said. “Multiple-time All-Star, multiple-time All-Star... MVP candidate, MVP candidate, MVP candidate.” He compared Philadelphia’s talent level to the Miami Heat during LeBron James’s tenure there.

The Knicks, missing Jose Alvarado due to a knee contusion, struggled offensively, shooting 38.5 percent overall with their starters playing roughly 15 minutes each. With key personnel changes and injuries, New York faces a more difficult path this season against an increasingly stacked Philadelphia team.