Once teammates, now opponents.

That was the situation Melbourne United power duo Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Ariel Hukporti faced off on Thursday, as the close friends went toe-to-toe at the NBA Summer League.

Hukporti’s New York Knicks held off Lual-Acuil Jr’s Sacramento Kings 106-105, with both players continuing their strong Summer League campaigns.

Hukporti, who the Knicks drafted with the 56th pick in this year’s draft, recorded 11 points and 10 rebounds. Lual-Acuil Jr had six points, five rebounds and three assists as he hopes to land an NBA gig.

“I see him as my big brother, so it's actually cool to play against him,” Hukporti said of his match-up with Lual-Acuil Jr.

“It was great ... he taught me a lot.”

Those thoughts were echoed by the 2024 All-NBL Second Team member.

“I'm so happy for him … like a proud big brother in a way,” Lual-Acuil Jr said of Hukporti.

“Seeing him get drafted and then getting his deal, couldn't be happier for him. Seeing what happened to him with his Achilles and how he bounced back from that. It's just great seeing the growth in him every year.”

While Hukporti is already living out his NBA dream, NBL Media's Pete Hooley has reported Lual-Acuil Jr. could be in line for a two-way contract, with plenty of interest from teams in Las Vegas.