ONYEKA OKONGWU NEWS

Cedes minutes to Capela Okongwu finished Sunday's 126-118 loss to the Spurs with 17 points (6-8 FG, 5-5 FT), seven rebounds, one steal and one block in 20 minutes.

Impact For the first time in four games, Okongwu saw fewer minutes than starter Clint Capela (28), but that didn't stop both centers from contributing useful fantasy lines. Capela converted seven of nine field-goal attempts and logged his second double-double in three games, while Okongwu continued what has been a nice run of productive games. While getting 20 minutes in each of the past four games, Okongwu is converting on 82.8 percent of his field goals and 93.8 percent of his free-throw tries while averaging 15.8 points, 9.0 boards and 1.3 blocks.

MARCH 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dominant against Warriors Okongwu notched 19 points (8-9 FG, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal over 24 minutes during Friday's 127-119 victory over the Warriors.

Impact Friday's game was a fast-paced matchup that suited Okongwu much more than Clint Capela, and Okongwu's efficient scoring and rim protection made it hard for coach Quin Snyder to take him off the floor. Okongwu is trending up at the ideal time for fantasy managers, clearing 23 or more minutes in his last three games with averages of 15.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.7 steals and 1.3 blocks.

MARCH 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Posts double-double off bench Okongwu racked up 16 points (6-7 FG, 4-4 FT), 14 rebounds, one block and one steal across 25 minutes during Monday's 136-115 loss to Minnesota.

Impact On a night where most of the Hawks struggled, Okongwu thrived. He crushed the Timberwolves on the offensive glass, grabbing nine of Atlanta's misses. Minnesota ranks 27th in the NBA in defensive rebound percentage, giving Okongwu an excellent matchup. It was his first double-double in eight games. Fantasy managers searching for rebounds could find some value in the former first-round pick, as the Hawks play the 14th and 26th ranked teams in defensive rebounding rate to finish the week.

MARCH 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sneaky production Friday Okongwu closed with four points (1-4 FG, 2-4 FT), eight rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals in 19 minutes during Friday's 114-107 win over Washington.

Impact Okongwu managed to chip in across the board Friday despite playing fewer than 20 minutes for the second time in his past three games. A change in head coach has not improved the short-term outlook for Okongwu. He is outside the top 200 over the past two weeks, leaving him as a drop candidate in standard formats. There is enough there for him to still be considered in certain builds, although it does not appear as though he will be logging more than 20 minutes very often.

MARCH 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Busy night at charity stripe Okongwu racked up 15 points (4-5 FG, 7-8 FT), four rebounds and one assist in 23 minutes during Saturday's 117-109 loss to the Heat.

Impact Okongwu tied his season high with seven made free throws en route to his highest scoring outing since Feb. 3. Since the start of February (13 games), he's averaging 10.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.3 blocks, 1.1 assists and 0.9 steals in 21.0 minutes.

MARCH 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fills stat sheet, double-doubles Okongwu produced 13 points (6-7 FG, 1-2 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, three blocks and two steals across 25 minutes during Friday's 136-119 victory over Cleveland.

Impact Okongwu logged only 25 minutes Friday but played a massive role in the win over the Cavaliers, as he recorded a double-double on efficient shooting and had multiple tallies across the board. He should remain on a bench role with Clint Capela being healthy, but Okongwu is showing he might deserve some more minutes even if he's not starting. He's averaging 10.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game across 20.7 minutes in nine February appearances.

FEBRUARY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Strong effort despite 19 minutes Okongwu closed with 12 points (5-8 FG, 2-2 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, two blocks and three steals across 19 minutes during Monday's 144-138 loss to the Hornets.

Impact Okongwu saw his usual allotment of minutes off the bench Monday, although he was able to turn in a solid two-way performance. Despite rarely playing more than 20 minutes on any given night, Okongwu has been a top-50 player over the past two weeks. His fantasy value is predominantly tied to rebounds, blocks and efficiency, meaning while he can be rostered in standard formats, he isn't going to appeal to everyone.

FEBRUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores double-double off bench Okongwu totaled 11 points (4-6 FG, 3-4 FT), 11 rebounds, one block and one steal in 23 minutes during Thursday's 116-107 win over the Suns.

Impact Okongwu produced a very well-rounded game Friday night, recording his second double-double in four contests. The center minutes distribution was split almost evenly between him and Clint Capela, which isn't always the case. The young backup center has proven multiple times that he can handle a larger role, but Capela is also playing quite well, so Atlanta seems content keeping Okongwu in his current role off the bench for now.

FEBRUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Secures rare double-double Okongwu closed with 15 points (6-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-3 FT), 11 rebounds and two assists across 22 minutes during Friday's 115-108 win over Utah.

Impact Okongwu stepped up in a big way Friday, making the most of his chances from the field and collecting double-digit rebounds for the first time since Jan. 14, which is also the last time he notched a double-double. Okongwu has now scored in double figures in back-to-back matchups, though his shared role with Clint Capela at center limits prevents the big man from stretching his fantasy game much further when both are healthy.

FEBRUARY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Young scores 27 to lead Hawks past Jazz, 115-108

Trae Young had 27 points and six assists to lead the Atlanta Hawks to a 115-108 victory over the Utah Jazz

FEBRUARY 4, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Perfect performance off bench Okongwu finished with 17 points (7-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, two blocks and one steal across 20 minutes in Tuesday's 132-100 win over the Suns.

Impact In a game the Hawks dominated from start to finish, Okongwu's playing time didn't suffer like most of Atlanta's starters. While handling his usual second-unit role behind starting center Clint Capela, Okongwu made the most of his 20 minutes of court time, going perfect from the field for the second game in a row while chipping in in the two defensive categories. Though his role appears unlikely to grow, barring a Capela absence, Okongwu's averages of 9.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals over his last four games to go with elite efficiency are enough to make him useful in 12- or 14-team category leagues.

FEBRUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Playing second fiddle to Capela Okongwu finished Monday's 129-125 loss to the Trail Blazers with eight points (4-4 FG), seven rebounds, one assist and one steal in 19 minutes.

Impact In three appearances since returning from a one-game absence due to a hamstring issue, Okongwu is converting on 78.6 percent of his field-goal attempts while making an impact on the glass and in the defensive categories. Even so, Okongwu's run of solid performances off the bench doesn't look as though it'll earn him a larger share of playing time while starting center Clint Capela is healthy and playing effectively. In the last three games both big men have been available, Capela is averaging 28.3 minutes to Okongwu's 19.7.

JANUARY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will play Wednesday Okongwu (hamstring) is available for Wednesday's matchup against the Thunder, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

Impact Okongwu skipped Monday's game against the Bulls due to left hamstring tightness that popped up during Saturday's game against the Hornets. However, it appears like the night off was positive for the backup big, as Okongwu has been cleared for action Wednesday. Across 29 appearances as a reserve, Okongwu has averaged 8.7 points and 6.5 rebounds in 20.4 minutes per game.

JANUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Listed questionable for Wednesday Okongwu (hamstring) is considered questionable for Wednesday's game versus the Thunder.

Impact Okongwu skipped Monday's game against the Bulls because of left hamstring tightness that surfaced during Sunday's game versus the Hornets. The big man's status for Wednesday appears to still be up in the air, so it will be worth monitoring his status leading up to the 8 PM ET opening tipoff. If he can't go, look for Clint Capela and AJ Griffin to take on heightened workloads again.

JANUARY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out Monday Okongwu (hamstring) is out for Monday's game against the Bulls.

Impact Okongwu will officially miss his second game of the season due to a hamstring injury sustained in Atlanta's previous contest. Jalen Johnson and Clint Capela figure to receive additional usage with the USC product on the sidelines. Okongwu's next chance to return comes Wednesday against the Thunder.

JANUARY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable Monday Okongwu is questionable for Monday's game against Chicago due to left hamstring tightness, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

Impact Okongwu sustained a hamstring injury during Saturday's matchup against the Hornets but was able to return to the game. He saw a relatively normal allotment of playing time with 24 minutes on the court, but Jalen Johnson would be a candidate to handle an increased role if Okongwu is unable to suit up Monday.

JANUARY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to action Saturday Okongwu (hamstring) is back in the game Saturday against the Hornets, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Impact Okongwu was listed as questionable to return due to a left hamstring injury. However, it seems the issue was not as serious as initially expected, and he should handle his regular workload the rest of the way.

JANUARY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable to return Saturday Okongwu is questionable to return to Saturday's game against the Hornets due to left hamstring tightness.

Impact If Okongwu doesn't return and/or misses extended time, backup center minutes could be available for Frank Kaminsky and Derrick Favors. The Hawks next play Monday against the Bulls.

JANUARY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shines in return to bench Okongwu finished with 14 points (6-7 FG, 2-3 FT), seven rebounds, three blocks and one assist in 27 minutes in Friday's 139-124 win over the Knicks.

Impact Though Okongwu hit the bench for the first time since Dec. 23 with a healthy Clint Capela reclaiming his starting role Friday, the former still ended up seeing the bulk of the playing time at center. Given that Friday's game marked the front end of a back-to-back set, it's possible that Okongwu was trusted with the larger share of the center minutes to keep Capela -- who played 20 minutes -- available for both legs of the back-to-back without having to rest him. Capela has yet to play more than 23 minutes in any of his three outings since returning from a calf injury. If he's able to maintain a roughly even split of the playing time moving forward, Okongwu would still likely be worthy of a back-end roster spot in 12-team category leagues for fantasy managers in need of a boost in field-goal percentage, rebounds and blocks.

JANUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Murray's 29 help Hawks finish strong, beat Knicks 139-124

Dejounte Murray scored 29 points, Trae Young added 27 and the streaking Atlanta Hawks pulled away at the start of the fourth quarter to beat the New York Knicks 139-124

JANUARY 21, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Coming off bench Okongwu will not start Friday's game against the Knicks, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

Impact Okongwu drew 10 straight starts with Clint Capela sidelined, and the former remained in the starting lineup for back-to-back games while the ladder regained his conditioning. However, Capela's inevitable takeover will come Friday, which will send Okongwu back to the second unit. Nonetheless, Capela's restrictions allow for roughly 25 minutes, meaning Okongwu should still see a sizable role off the bench.

JANUARY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains in starting lineup Okongwu is starting Monday against the Heat.

Impact Although Clint Capela (calf) will be back in action for Monday's matchup, Okongwu will remain in the starting lineup for a 10th consecutive game. He's posted double-doubles in his last two appearances, averaging 14.0 points and 16.5 rebounds in 38.0 minutes per game during that time. Fantasy managers will want to monitor the workload split between Okongwu and Capela on Monday, as well as which of the two big men gets the starting nod Wednesday at Dallas.

JANUARY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Has another strong night on boards Okongwu recorded 10 points (5-10 FG), 13 rebounds, two blocks and one steal across 37 minutes during Saturday's 114-103 victory over the Raptors.

Impact Okongwu has racked up 28 rebounds over his last two contests, notching double-doubles in each game. He's also been a menace at the rim by swatting away at least one shot in nine straight matchups. The USC product is averaging 10.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.3 blocks over seven appearances in January.

JANUARY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Young scores 29, Murray 27 as Hawks beat Raptors 114-103

Trae Young scored 29 points, Dejounte Murray had 27 and the Atlanta Hawks never trailed in a 114-103 victory over the Toronto Raptors

JANUARY 15, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Huge game Friday Okongwu ended with 18 points (9-12 FG, 0-1 FT), 20 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and two steals across 39 minutes during Friday's 113-111 victory over the Pacers.

Impact Okongwu has thrived in a starting role with Clint Capela (calf) sidelined, but this might have been the best performance of his career so far. He's now scored in double digits in five of his last eight contests, all of them as a starter, and has also racked up three double-doubles in that span. Given that Capela doesn't have a clear timetable for his return, Okongwu should remain a valuable asset across all formats for the time being.

JANUARY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE