Knicks' Backup Centers Receiving Key Opportunities

The New York Knicks have gotten a close look at their center depth this season.

Jeremy Brener | Nov 2, 2024

Oct 28, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Ariel Hukporti (55) during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images / John Jones-Imagn Images

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New York Knicks

The New York Knicks still have a major question mark at the center position despite acquiring Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves before the start of the season.

Mitchell Robinson is expected to be Towns' backup when he returns from his ankle injury, but that likely won't happen for another two months. Precious Achiuwa is also expected to get some backup center minutes, but he is also dealing with an injury of his own.

Their absences have opened up opportunities for fourth-year pro Jericho Sims and rookie Ariel Hukporti, both of whom have seen action early in the season.

“We’re looking at different things," Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said h/t Posting and Toasting. "Jericho has done a really good job. Ariel has done a good job. We want to get a look at all our players and we’re doing that. It’s not about an individual player, it’s about the team. And prioritizing winning. Play to win. So wherever you can contribute to winning, that’s where I want the focus to lie.”

Neither center has been able to produce much of anything on the offensive end, as Sims has averaged only 1.6 points per game while Hukporti is still searching for his first NBA points.

The season is young, and there is still a long way to go, but the Knicks have to evaluate the players on the roster now to see if there is a need to go out and find replacements.

Sims and Hukporti will have more chances to prove to the Knicks that they are worthy of more minutes, but if there isn't enough development there, New York may be looking for other centers around the league to replace them.

Sims, Hukporti and the Knicks are set to face off against the Houston Rockets in their next game on Monday at 8:45 p.m. ET.

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Published Nov 2, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.