The preseason opener at Xfinity Mobile Arena was billed as a first look at Philadelphia's revamped roster, but the story the crowd got was different. LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey all sat out as healthy inactives, while the defending NBA champion New York Knicks rolled out their entire regular starting lineup. Against that full-strength opposing five, the Sixers built a 14-point lead before both teams emptied their benches and cruised to a 120-97 win, a result PHLY Sports' Kyle Neubeck describes as a comfortable victory.

The win carried a worrying cost. Center Ariel Hukporti, starting in Embiid's place against his former Knicks teammates, went down on a non-contact injury less than six minutes into the game. The Inquirer reports it was a right Achilles injury, that Hukporti left assisted by crutches or a staff member, and that coach Nick Nurse said he will undergo imaging Tuesday. PHLY Sports writes that minds immediately drifted to the Achilles based on how it happened, noting the Sixers already lack Adem Bona, out with a foot sprain, and Dominick Barlow, sidelined with a back issue. The Inquirer adds that Karl-Anthony Towns was the one who helped Hukporti off the floor.

James's absence drew the most questions, since it delayed the summer's marquee signing in his Sixers debut. Yahoo Sports, per Athlon Sports, reports the 41-year-old was held out for workload management ahead of his 24th NBA season rather than because of a new injury, and that ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports James manages chronic arthritis in his left foot and a lower-back issue tied to sciatica. Yahoo Sports adds there is no confirmed debut date, with four preseason games remaining before the Oct. 20 regular-season opener against these same Knicks at Madison Square Garden. James, per the Inquirer's and AP accounts of Saturday's scrimmage, called that first home appearance a great first step.

The stakes are frontcourt depth and timing. The Inquirer notes Jabari Walker strengthened his case for the opening created by the big-man injuries, going 3-of-5 from three with 11 points and 11 rebounds in just over 19 minutes, with a faster release than a year ago per PHLY Sports. The two contenders meet for real on opening night, Oct. 20 at Madison Square Garden, and the Sixers' next preseason game is Thursday on the road against the Brooklyn Nets, per CBS News. Hukporti's Tuesday imaging will shape whether Philadelphia must cobble together small-ball lineups, an option PHLY Sports says is fine in the preseason but fragile for the opener.