ONYEKA OKONGWU NEWS

Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu wins NBA Cares Community Assist Award Hawks center Onyeka Okongwu has done good work on the court. Now, the NBA has recognized him for his good deeds off the court.

DECEMBER 23, 2024 • AJC.COM

Hawks take on the Timberwolves on 3-game slide

Atlanta will try to stop its three-game skid when the Atlanta Hawks take on Minnesota

DECEMBER 22, 2024 • Associated Press

Will miss at least one week Okongwu is dealing with left knee inflammation and will miss at least four games, NBA writer Marc Stein reports. The big man will be re-evaluated in approximately one week.

Impact Okongwu won't be available to face the Spurs, Grizzlies, Timberwolves and Bulls, and the earliest chance he'll have to return will come against the Heat on Saturday, Nov. 28. Okongwu has been outstanding in the tandem at center alongside Clint Capela, and he's been very valuable in fantasy despite not starting in any of his 25 appearances. He's averaging 11.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and a combined 1.4 steals-plus-blocks per game.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Crashes offensive glass Okongwu amassed 12 points (6-10 FG, 0-2 FT), 11 rebounds, two blocks and one steal across 23 minutes during Wednesday's 108-100 victory over the Knicks.

Impact Okongwu's five offensive rebounds helped him record his fifth double-double of the season Wednesday. Across his last 10 outings, Okongwu is averaging 12.2 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 24.2 minutes.

DECEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nearly double-doubles Okongwu totaled 14 points (5-10 FG, 4-4 FT), nine rebounds, one assist and one steal in 25 minutes during Sunday's 141-111 loss to the Nuggets.

Impact Okongwu saw 25 minutes compared to 19 for Clint Capela, and that's been a theme many times this season. Okongwu is averaging 24.0 minutes per contest compared to 22.7 for Capela, with both players returning 11th-round value in nine-category formats so far.

DECEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Hawks win 5th straight game and halt the Bucks' winning streak at 7 with 119-104 victory

Jalen Johnson had 23 points and 13 rebounds and the Atlanta Hawks halted Milwaukee’s winning streak at seven games, beating the Bucks 119-104

DECEMBER 5, 2024 • Associated Press

Secures fourth double-double Okongwu closed with 16 points (5-10 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 6-6 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal in 28 minutes during Saturday's 107-104 victory over the Hornets.

Impact Okongwu contributed in a big way off the bench in this one, finishing second on his team in rebounds behind Clint Capela's 14 boards. Okongwu continues to serve in a reserve role behind Capela and struggled to consistently produce through his first 12 appearances of November, though he's looked sharp as a scorer of late, putting up double figures in three straight games.

DECEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Jalen Johnson scores 20 points, Hawks hang on to beat Hornets 107-104 for 3rd straight win

Jalen Johnson had 20 points and nine assists, De'Andre Hunter added 18 points and the Atlanta Hawks handed the Charlotte Hornets their fifth straight loss 107-104

DECEMBER 1, 2024 • Associated Press

Disappoints again Friday Okongwu closed with seven points (3-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), six rebounds and one assist over 21 minutes during Friday's 136-122 loss to the Bulls.

Impact Okongwu scored fewer than 10 points for the third straight game, continuing his poor start to the season. Across 15 games, Okongwu is averaging 10.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.4 combined steals and blocks in just 23.5 minutes per game. He is someone who has seemingly been ready to take the next step in his career for the past few seasons, yet remains a backup center who is yet to reach his potential.

NOVEMBER 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Double-doubles off bench Sunday Okongwu totaled 11 points (4-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals over 28 minutes during Sunday's 114-110 loss to the Trail Blazers.

Impact It seems it'll only be a matter of time before Okongwu replaces Clint Capela in the starting lineup, but the former is outplaying the veteran even on a bench role. Okongwu logged 28 minutes compared to Capela's 20 in this contest, and he remains a steady source of points and rebounds even if he's not featuring in the first unit. The big man has posted back-to-back doubles and is averaging 10.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and a combined 1.8 steals-plus-blocks since the start of November.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in double figures Okongwu posted 13 points (5-9 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 13 rebounds, two blocks and two steals across 26 minutes during Friday's 129-117 win over Washington.

Impact Okongwu has now scored in double digits in back-to-back contests, and his 13-rebound night resulted in his second double-double of the 2024-25 campaign. The big man continues to come off the bench but once again outworked Clint Capela 26 minutes to 22. However, consistency has been an issue of late for Okongwu, who's been held to eight or fewer points in three of his last five game

NOVEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Efficient despite loss Monday Okongwu produced 18 points (8-12 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds and two steals in 23 minutes during Monday's 123-93 loss to Boston.

Impact Okongwu continues to find ways to outplay Clint Capela on a steady basis, and at this point, it wouldn't be surprising if he claims the starting role at center sooner rather than later. Okongwu is averaging 13.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.7 blocks across 23.8 minutes per contest in his six outings to date, so fantasy managers should continue to trust him even if he continues to play off the bench for the time being.

NOVEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Available to play Okongwu (toe) is available for Monday's game against the Celtics.

Impact This is an expected move after Okongwu was held out of the front leg of the back-to-back set Sunday. In five regular-season appearances, Okongwu has averaged 12.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 24.4 minutes per contest.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Sunday Okongwu (toe/rest) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Pelicans, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Impact Okongwu will take a seat for the first half of a back-to-back set due to left big toe injury management, but he should be available for Monday's matchup against Boston. In his absence, Larry Nance should see increased minutes behind Clint Capela.

NOVEMBER 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Late addition to injury report Okongwu is questionable for Sunday's game against the Pelicans due to left big toe injury management, Kevin Chouinard of the Hawks' official site reports.

Impact Sunday's game is the first half of a back-to-back set, so even if Okongwu plays against New Orleans, he may sit out Monday versus Boston. After exploding for 28 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in the regular-season opener, Okongwu has averaged 8.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.3 blocks in his last four appearances. If Okongwu sits out, Larry Nance and Dominick Barlow would be candidates for increased roles behind Clint Capela.

NOVEMBER 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Minimal impact in loss Okongwu had two points (1-5 FG, 0-4 3Pt), three rebounds and two assists over 24 minutes during Wednesday's 133-120 loss to the Wizards.

Impact Okongwu returned to action Wednesday after missing Washington's previous contest with a toe injury. While the 23-year-old big man had a great Opening Night, he is averaging just 7.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.3 minutes in his last three appearances. Until Okognwu is able to officially supplant Clint Capela as the Hawks' starting center, his statistical output will likely continue to be inconsistent.

OCTOBER 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Not listed on injury report Okongwu (toe) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's game against the Wizards, Kevin Chouinard of the Hawks' official site reports.

Impact Okongwu didn't play Monday against the Wizards, which was the second night of a back-to-back set, but he'll return to action Wednesday. After exploding for 28 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in the season opener, Okongwu totaled 21 points, 11 rebounds and two steals over his next two appearances before resting Monday.

OCTOBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Monday Okongwu (rest) will not play Monday against the Wizards, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

Impact Monday's game is the second leg of a back-to-back set, so the Hawks will give Okongwu the night off for injury management related to his left toe. Fantasy managers should expect him back for Wednesday's rematch against the Wizards. Clint Capela could see a higher floor Monday, while Larry Nance could see a bump in playing time.

OCTOBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores 14 points Sunday Okongwu closed Sunday's 128-104 loss to the Thunder with 14 points (3-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 7-9 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one steal in 23 minutes.

Impact Okongwu has played off the bench in Atlanta's first three games of the season, but he's outplayed Clint Capela from a scoring perspective each time, hitting double digits in two of those outings. Capela should remain the starting center due to the chemistry he has with Trae Young and also due to his defensive contributions, but Okongwu will remain a solid fantasy alternative as long as he continues to log more than 20 minutes per game off the bench on a steady basis.

OCTOBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Plays 26 minutes off bench Friday Okongwu amassed seven points (3-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt), eight rebounds, three assists and one steal across 26 minutes during Friday's 125-120 victory over Charlotte.

Impact Okongwu wasn't able to match his 28-point output from Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Nets, but the 2020 first-round pick still managed to play more minutes than starting center Clint Capela (22) on Friday. Okongwu ended up leading the Hawks in rebounding, with three of his boards coming on the offensive end of the floor. He should continue to be the first big man of Atlanta's bench, and if his strong play persists, he could join the starting five in place of Capela.

OCTOBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores career-high 28 points Okongwu produced 28 points (11-12 FG, 6-6 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and three blocks across 28 minutes during Wednesday's 120-116 victory over Brooklyn.

Impact Okongwu came off the bench but outplayed Clint Capela, closing the game as the Hawks held off a tenacious Brooklyn team. Although fantasy managers would love to see Okongwu running with the starters, it appears as though he is going to remain the backup, at least for the time being. With that said, there is a decent chance he ends up playing starters' minutes, which should be more than enough for him to be a real difference-maker across all fantasy formats.

OCTOBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Onyeka Okongwu provides boost as Hawks win season opener over Nets Five observations from the Hawks' win over Brooklyn Wednesday in the 2024-25 season opener.

OCTOBER 24, 2024 • AJC.COM