Okongwu's status as the top center is solidified after Atlanta selected Kingston Flemings with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The Hawks passed up on names like Morez Johnson, Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara and Nate Ament, instead focusing on building their backcourt for the future with the pick of Flemings. Atlanta did nab Zuby Ejiofor later in the first round and also exercised the team option on Mouhamed Gueye's contract to fortify its frontcourt this offseason, but Jock Landale (ankle) is set to enter unrestricted free agency. Neither Ejiofor nor Gueye project as more than reserve players, so Okongwu should have a good chance of building upon a career 2025-26 campaign across the board while effectively functioning as the team's full-time starting center.
Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Disappointing end to season
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Okongwu amassed four points (2-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt), six rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal in 32 minutes during Thursday's 140-89 loss to the Knicks in Game 6 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Okongwu saved his worst for last, scoring just four points as Atlanta was embarrassed by New York in Game 6. The loss brings to an end what was a breakout season for Okongwu, as he established himself as the starting center for the Hawks. He ended the season as a top-40 fantasy asset, averaging 15.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.9 three-pointers and 2.2 combined steals and blocks over 80 games (including playoffs).
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Drops 12 points, adds four steals
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Okongwu chipped in 12 points (4-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds, one assist and four steals in 28 minutes during Saturday's 114-98 loss to New York in Game 4 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Okongwu turned in an improved performance, albeit still somewhat underwhelming. In his four playoff appearances, Okongwu has averaged 13.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 three-pointers and 1.9 combined steals and blocks, all down on his season numbers. With the two teams now locked at 2-2, Atlanta will head to New York looking for another road victory.
Okongwu (knee) is available for Monday's Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the Knicks.
Okongwu was listed on the injury report with right knee inflammation but will push through and play as the Hawks look to even the series in Game 2. In the Game 1 loss Saturday, the big man totaled 19 points (6-9 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and one block across 37 minutes. If Okongwu faces any minutes restriction or a lighter workload, Mouhamed Gueye and Tony Bradley would be in line to pick up the slack.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Chips in 19 points in loss
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Okongwu finished Saturday's 113-102 loss to the Knicks in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs with 19 points (6-9 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and one block over 37 minutes.
Okongwu scored 12 of his 19 points in the first half of Saturday's game and finished as the Hawks' third-leading scorer behind CJ McCollum (26 points) and Jalen Johnson (23 points). Okongwu enjoyed a career year in his sixth NBA regular season, though he saw his production dip over his last 19 games from March 1, when he averaged 13.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.2 blocks and 1.8 threes over 29.8 minutes. The Hawks will need more output from the 2020 first-rounder to help alleviate the pressure for Johnson, McCollum and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Questionable for Game 2
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Okongwu is questionable for Monday's Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Knicks due to right knee inflammation.
Okongwu put together a solid performance in Game 1, logging 19 points and seven rebounds, but he appears to have picked up a right knee injury during the game, putting his status in question for Monday. If he is unable to go, Mouhamed Gueye and Tony Bradley would be candidates for increased roles.
Okongwu (finger) is off the injury report for Game 1 on Saturday versus the Knicks.
After sitting out Atlanta's regular-season finale, Okongwu is good to go for the beginning of the postseason Saturday. The sixth-year big man enjoyed perhaps his finest season in 2025-26, averaging 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.1 steals in 31.0 minutes per contest across 74 contests.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Ruled out Sunday
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Okongwu (finger) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Heat.
Okongwu will be held out of Atlanta's regular-season finale due to a left index finger sprain. With the Hawks holding multiple key contributors out, Mouhamed Gueye, Asa Newell and Tony Bradley should all see significant run in the frontcourt. Okongwu has taken a significant step forward in 2025-26 and will finish the regular season with averages of 15.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.1 steals in 31.0 minutes per contest across 74 outings (63 starts).
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Questionable for Sunday
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Okongwu is questionable to play Sunday against the Heat due to a sprained left index finger.
Okongwu's left index finger has been bothering him since the end of March, so Atlanta may opt to hold him out of their regular-season finale with Miami. If Okongwu can't play, Mouhamed Gueye would have a chance to start, and there would be more minutes available for Asa Newell and Christian Koloko.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Modest line in loss
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Okongwu finished Monday's 108-105 loss to the Knicks with 12 points (4-13 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, one assist and one block over 37 minutes.
This was a modest line by Okongwu's standards in what has been a terrific campaign for the center. Across 72 appearances, he holds averages of 15.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.1 blocks and 2.0 three-pointers.
Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Strong double-double in return
Rotowire
Okongwu posted 20 points (7-14 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block over 36 minutes during the Hawks' 112-102 win over the Celtics on Monday.
Okongwu entered Monday's game having scored 11 points or less in four of his last five outings. It looked like it was going to be another low-scoring affair for the sixth-year big man, but he came out of halftime hot with 11 points in the third quarter and finished as the Hawks' co-leader in scoring with Jalen Johnson. It was Okongwu's 10th game of the season with four-plus three-pointers, and it was his first double-double since March 1. It was an encouraging performance out of the USC product, and that kind of production will help the Hawks as the team looks to improve its standing heading into the postseason.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Available against Boston
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Okongwu (finger) isn't listed on the injury report ahead of Monday's game against Boston.
Okongwu had only eight points in Friday's 109-102 loss to the Celtics. He didn't suit up Saturday for the 123-113 win over Sacramento. However, Okongwu's absence won't extend beyond one game, meaning Jock Landale will presumably head back to the bench for the rematch with Boston.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Won't play Saturday
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Okongwu (finger) won't play in Saturday's game against Sacramento, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Jock Landale (shoulder) is questionable. If Landale is upgraded to available, he would likely take over Okongwu's spot in the starting lineup. However, if Landale is also ruled out, Mouhamed Gueye would presumably roll with the first five.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Fills stat sheet in win Monday
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Okongwu had 16 points (5-7 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 6-8 FT), five rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals over 20 minutes during Monday's 146-107 win over the Grizzlies.
Okongwu was one of eight Atlanta players who scored in double digits in this win, and aside from filling the stat sheet, Okongwu was very efficient with his touches near the rim. The big man has scored at least 15 points in just two of his last five appearances, however, and with three single-digit scoring efforts in that span, the center's numbers are trending in the wrong direction.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Struggles in loss to Rockets
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Okongwu had six points (2-9 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal over 24 minutes during Friday's 117-95 loss to the Rockets.
This was the second time over the past four games that Okongwu was held to single digits in scoring, but at least he was able to salvage his stat line with some rebounds and defensive stats. Managers can anticipate a more robust offensive outing Saturday, with a favorable matchup against the Warriors.
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