Ariel Hukporti wasn’t just making plays in Monday night’s win over the Houston Rockets — he was making an impression at the highest level.
It wasn’t just the eight minutes of action, the block on Steven Adams, or the fact that the Knicks’ rookie got his number called in critical minutes of a big game at Madison Square Garden.
It was who noticed his presence on the floor that made the moment even more significant.
After the game, Knicks owner James Dolan made a rare appearance in the home locker room and had a brief conversation with the seven-foot center his team selected with the 58th and final pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
For a franchise owner who hardly ever steps foot in the locker room, let alone to speak with a rookie who’s mostly been glued to the bench, the moment spoke volumes.
“I was actually quite surprised because he never actually comes. I was quite surprised, but it was good to hear from him,” Hukporti told The Daily News as he walked out of the locker room Monday night. “It’s extra motivation. He’s paying attention to the little stuff.”
Hukporti’s extended run was a result of the perfect storm.
With OG Anunoby sidelined due to a right foot sprain, the Knicks bumped Precious Achiuwa into the starting lineup, leaving a void at backup center. Jericho Sims remained out of the rotation as Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline looms, which meant Hukporti was the next man up.
“He came in there, and he came with great energy. It’s really tough when you don’t know when your number’s called and you come in and you try to impact the game, and he did,” team captain Jalen Brunson said of the rookie center after the game. “I love his energy, I love what he did, and I’m proud of him.”
Hukporti made his presence felt instantly.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau subbed him in at the 6:20 mark of the first quarter, and right away, he matched the physicality of NBA ironman Steven Adams.
With just under three minutes left in the opening period, Hukporti cut off Adams’ driving lane, absorbed the contact, and elevated for a block on his layup attempt.
It wasn’t just a highlight — it was a statement. Hukporti’s unique blend of size and strength can be an asset to the team if they need him in a pinch. His stand against Adams also marked his 12th block in just 18 games this season. For reference, Sims — who has played nearly 300 more minutes — has just 10 blocks in total this season, while Hukporti ranks sixth in blocks per 48 minutes (4.4).
“[I saw] great energy. I think that was the biggest thing,” veteran teammate Josh Hart said of the first-year big man after the game. “Obviously, he’s young, and the flow of the game is different than what he’s used to, but he gave us great energy, good minutes.”
Hart also noted how Hukporti didn’t shy away from the physicality Houston brings on the defensive end. The rookie logged four fouls, two rebounds and a block in eight minutes of action.
“He used his fouls. He’s got six of ‘em, so he was making sure he was gonna use ‘em,” Hart added. “But great energy from him.”
Of course, Hukporti’s night wasn’t perfect — and he knows it.
Thibodeau went away from him in the second quarter, playing Achiuwa and Karl-Anthony Towns at the five until Hukporti checked back in late in the third.
That’s when the Rockets pounced.
In less than three minutes, Houston flipped a game tied at 73 into an 85-76 lead. In total, the Rockets outscored the Knicks by 14 during the eight minutes the rookie played.
Hukporti is vowing to use those struggles as lessons from rare on-court minutes as part of a championship contender this season. Critical of his own game, he reflected on areas for growth moving forward.
“It was good, it was good. I mean, I caught a couple fouls. I’m still learning the NBA game, taking my time, learning a lot from Precious and KAT,” he told The News. “Just trying to defensively just trying to help everybody, you know what I’m saying? Just trying to be there.
“But I still got to read the game a little better. I feel like the more I see them play, and the more I play, I learn more as well. I take it step by step. If the opportunity comes, I’m gonna take it. If not, I’m gonna learn from it.”
Despite the hiccups, Hukporti’s energy and impact were undeniable.
His eight minutes were the most he’s played since logging 13 minutes in the Knicks’ blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He also showed flashes in earlier action this season: Hukporti logged nine points, two rebounds and two assists in 15 minutes played against the Detroit Pistons in a Dec. 7 loss Towns missed with a thumb injury. And he stuffed the stat sheet with seven points, four rebounds, four blocks and three assists in 30 minutes played in a Nov. 15 NBA Cup group stage game against the Nets, another game Towns missed due to injury.
Hukporti’s minutes, however, could be fleeting.
The Knicks cleared Mitchell Robinson for full-contact practice on Monday, signaling that their defensive anchor’s return from a second ankle surgery could be imminent. Once Robinson is back in the fold, and once Anunoby returns from injury, New York’s front court rotation will be at full strength.
And in a championship chase, minutes for a rookie are never guaranteed.
But health? That’s never guaranteed, either.
The Knicks learned that the hard way last season, and they’ve already been reminded this year.
Depth wins in the NBA, and if Hukporti’s number is called again, he’ll be ready. Because in this league, you never know who’s watching.
On Monday, he the rookie found out.
“[Dolan] said, ‘Oh yeah, you got playing time today. You did a great job,’” Hukporti told The News. “He just told me to keep working and keep trusting.
“I’m glad that he gave me an opportunity to play for the Knicks.”
