76ers center Adem Bona questionable for season opener after foot sprain
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The gist
76ers center Adem Bona is questionable for Tuesday's opener at the Knicks after a left foot sprain.
With Ariel Hukporti out for the year, Philadelphia's center rotation is thin.
Background
Adem Bona is a 23-year-old center for the Philadelphia 76ers, a 2024 second-round pick out of UCLA. He sprained his left foot during the FIBA World Cup 2027 Qualifiers shortly before training camp and missed the entire preseason. His return matters now because fellow center Ariel Hukporti is out for the year with a torn right Achilles tendon, leaving the 76ers' center rotation thin ahead of a season opener against the defending champion New York Knicks.
How it unfolded
- Oct 16, 2026Bona was a full participant in Thursday's practice but sat out Friday's preseason finale against the Boston Celtics while recovering from a left foot sprain.
- Oct 19, 2026After a full practice Sunday, Bona was listed questionable for Tuesday's season opener in New York against the Knicks.
- Oct 21, 2026Bona said he feels good and that his availability is day-to-day, decided by the coaches and medical staff.
Who’s saying what
- Caution
- Head coach Nick Nurse said Bona has moved well but is not completely pain-free yet, and the team is making sure before bringing him back.
- Support
- Teammate Jabari Walker said Bona's motor never changes and he looked athletic, with no visible sign anything was wrong.
- Party
- Bona said he is feeling good and excited to get back out there, but called his status day-to-day and up to the coaches and medical staff.
Still unverified
Bona's status for Tuesday's opener was listed as questionable; a report said that if cleared he would play limited minutes behind Joel Embiid.