76ers Restore Adem Bona but Face Center Depth Concerns

Philadelphia will begin the 2026-27 NBA season against the New York Knicks on Tuesday with a developing concern at center, as injuries have weakened the team's reserve options behind Joel Embiid. Adem Bona is available for the opener after recovering from a foot injury, while Ariel Hukporti will miss the entire season with a torn Achilles tendon, according to reports from CBS Sports and Heavy.

Bona's return provides immediate relief for coach Nick Nurse, who had faced uncertainty over the 23-year-old's availability after he missed training camp and the entire preseason. His presence gives Philadelphia an established backup center, although the team's remaining frontcourt depth continues to face questions.

According to CBS Sports, Bona appeared in 71 regular-season games during 2025-26, including 18 starts. He averaged 4.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game, offering defensive support behind Embiid after Andre Drummond departed for New York.

Heavy reported that Bona played 15.6 minutes per game during his rookie season, recording 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks across 58 appearances. In his second season, his playing time increased to 17.4 minutes per game, and he also appeared in 10 playoff games during Philadelphia's 2025-26 postseason run, including three starts.

Hukporti's injury has created a more immediate challenge. The former Knicks center suffered a non-contact injury during the first half of his first preseason game with Philadelphia, which was subsequently diagnosed as a torn Achilles tendon. Heavy reported that the injury would sideline him for the entire 2026-27 campaign.

The Sixers' center rotation had already become a concern before the regular season began. The Sixers Sense reported that injuries affecting Hukporti, Bona, Tacko Fall and Dominick Barlow had exposed the team's limited options behind Embiid, making additional frontcourt depth a potential roster priority.

Philadelphia's situation has also been complicated by injuries elsewhere in the rotation. Yahoo Sports reported that Anfernee Simons was among the players dealing with injury concerns, while Dean Wade had rolled an ankle and VJ Edgecombe was also managing an issue. Edgecombe was expected to be able to play, according to the report.

Wade's condition became a concern after his injury occurred during the final preseason game. Yahoo Sports noted that the team's reserve unit was expected to ease the workload on its starters, but several players were dealing with lingering ailments before opening night.

With the reserve center position under pressure, Philadelphia could turn to smaller lineups if Bona is unable to handle a full workload. Heavy identified LeBron James, Wade and Jabari Walker as possible options to play center behind Embiid in certain situations.

The Sixers Sense reported that Philadelphia has limited salary-cap flexibility and could consider using its final two-way roster spot to add frontcourt depth. The outlet also identified Fall, a 7-foot-6 center with 30 NBA games and four years away from the league, as a possible option, while noting the uncertainty surrounding his availability and readiness.

Embiid's health remains central to the team's plans. Although Heavy described the star center as healthy heading into the season, his history of health concerns increases the importance of having reliable reserves who can absorb minutes when necessary.

Philadelphia opens its regular-season schedule on the road against New York, with Bona available to provide backup support and Hukporti sidelined for the season. The team must manage its frontcourt rotation while several other players work through injury concerns.