New York Knicks did not have Mitchell Robinson coming in to the game against the Charlotte Hornets and so Mike Brown had to tap someone as an emergency big. They are just coming off a loss to the Boston Celtics and losing to the lowly Hornets will be a huge discussion.
They did win, 119-104.
This is the eighth game Robinson has missed as he is bothered by knee injury. He was not as productive in his last game when he played just 16 minutes and had only one point. Brown needed someone who can provide some production and so, he turned to 2024 58th pick Ariel Hukporti.
The German center has a much worse statline than Robinson the other night. He had no point and grabbed two rebounds. He also fouled out in just 15 minutes.
The statsheet might suggest that it was a bad night for him but Brown thought otherwise.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever done this before, and I’ve been doing this a while, but our defensive player of the game was Ariel,” Brown told reporters after the game.
“And he had zero defensive rebounds and fouled out. Interesting. Having said that, his impact was huge. He had a couple blocks, 50-50 balls. He went vertical a couple times and changed shots in the paint.”
Mike Brown: “I don’t know if I’ve ever done this before but our Defensive Player of the Game was Ariel Hukporti. He had 0 defensive rebounds & he fouled out. But his impact was huge. Couple blocks, 50-50 balls, went vertical couple times & changed shots…Hadn’t played much” pic.twitter.com/KVvWvUtz1a
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) December 4, 2025
KAT agrees with Mike Brown
Hukporti is playing on a borrowed time. Robinson will still be the main man but he needs to give the veteran some challenge for the spot.
The 7’0 center made the most out of his chance according to Karl Anthony Towns. What he did correct, according to KAT, was using all his 6 fouls intelligently.
“He used every one of those fouls. I appreciate that,” Towns said about his teammate.
“He was special. His ability to come into the game, always staying ready, being a professional, always working on his game. It was a night we needed him. I don’t think we win this game without him making the contributions that he did.”
Hukportihas played just 11 games before the Hornets win and is averaging 0.8 point and 2.2 rebounds per game.
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