ONYEKA OKONGWU NEWS

Collins beats buzzer with tip-in, Hawks edge Pacers 113-111

John Collins tipped in a missed shot with less than a second left to give the Atlanta Hawks a 113-111 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night

JANUARY 14, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hunter, Collins star as Hawks beat Kings 120-117

De’Andre Hunter and John Collins each scored 22 points, and the Atlanta Hawks stopped a four-game slide by topping the Sacramento Kings 120-117

JANUARY 5, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Another solid outing sans Capela Okongwu amassed 16 points (8-14 FG), 12 rebounds, one assist, three blocks and two steals across 38 minutes during Monday's 143-141 double-overtime loss to the Warriors.

Impact Okongwu continues to produce solid outings with Clint Capela nursing a lingering calf injury. Over his past 10 appearances (seven starts), Okongwu has notched four double-doubles and is posting 12.6 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in 30.5 minutes during that stretch. As long as Capela remains out, Okongwu figures to be a reliable option for quality production.

JANUARY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plays team-high 43 minutes Okongwu recorded 17 points (8-11 FG, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals over 43 minutes during Friday's 130-121 loss to the Lakers.

Impact Okongwu was fantastic in the loss, compiling yet another well-rounded fantasy performance. In fact, he is now the 24th-ranked player over the past two weeks, with averages of 13.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks. Clint Capela continues to deal with a calf injury, something that has sidelined him for five of the past six games. Until such time he is able to get back on the floor, Okongwu simply has to be rostered in all formats.

DECEMBER 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Another strong performance Okongwu recorded 18 points (6-12 FG, 6-9 FT), 13 rebounds, one assist and three blocks in 37 minutes during Wednesday's 108-107 loss to the Nets.

Impact Okongwu was a force once again Wednesday, admirably filling in for the injured Clint Capela (calf). A top 35 player over the past two weeks, Okongwu is showing everyone just what he can do when afforded significant playing time. However, the Hawks seem intent on running with Capela as their primary big, meaning once he returns, Okongwu will once again resume his role as a streaming consideration.

DECEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rejoins starting five Okongwu is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's matchup with the Pacers, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

Impact Okongwu will replace Clint Capela (calf) in the starting five Tuesday. The third-year big man is averaging 8.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.0 steals in 31.6 minutes across his previous five starts this season.

DECEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Back to bench Okongwu will not start Friday's game against the Pistons.

Impact Okongwu will return to the bench after receiving a spot start in place of Clint Capela on Wednesday. The backup big man should remain a decent fantasy option considering he has shown double-double upside off the bench previously.

DECEMBER 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Double-double in rare start Okongwu logged 18 points (8-14 FG, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, one assist and five blocks across 40 minutes during Wednesday's 110-108 loss to the Bulls.

Impact With Clint Capela (calf) out, Okongwu made his fifth start of the season and posted a double-double. In his four previous starts, he did not score more than seven points in any game. The 21-year-old has scored in double-digits in seven of his last 11 games and is averaging 10.7 points over that span. Capela is likely to return Friday and Okongwu may see a reduction in playing time as a result.

DECEMBER 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to bench role Okongwu isn't starting Monday's game against the Magic, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

Impact Okonwu drew the start at center Friday night against the Hornets with Clint Capela (calf) out, and the Hawks will roll out a different starting five Monday while Capela works his way back. Bogdan Bogdanovic, De'Andre Hunter and John Collins will start in the frontcourt for Atlanta.

DECEMBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Unflattering performance Friday Okongwu totaled seven points (2-2 FG, 3-4 FT), seven rebounds and two blocks in 23 minutes during Friday's 125-106 win over Charlotte.

Impact Okongwu moved into the starting lineup, as expected, but was unable to make the most of the opportunity. With Clint Capela (calf) set to miss at least a week, Okongwu should get another look at the starting role against the Magic on Monday. In what should be a favorable matchup, look for Okongwu to push hard for what could be his best performance of the season.

DECEMBER 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting for injured Capela Okongwu will start Friday's game against the Hornets, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Impact As expected, with Clint Capela (calf) sidelined for 1-2 weeks, Okongwu will get the nod at center. In his three starts this season, he's averaged 5.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 1.7 steals and 1.0 assists in 31.7 minutes.

DECEMBER 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Double-double off bench Okongwu finished Wednesday's 135-124 loss to Orlando with 15 points (4-8 FG, 7-8 FT), 11 rebounds and one steal over 26 minutes off the bench.

Impact Clint Capela (calf) left the game early, opening the door for Okongwu to record his third double-double of the season. The third-year center's offensive game has also picked up a bit in recent weeks, and over his last eight contests Okongwu is averaging 10.3 points, 7.8 boards, 0.8 assists and 0.8 steals. Should Capela be forced to miss additional time, Okongwu is the most likely candidate to move into Atlanta's starting five.

DECEMBER 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Moves back to bench Okonwu isn't in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Magic, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Impact Okognwu will move back to the bench with Clint Capela reclaiming his starting center job after missing Monday's game with Achilles soreness. The second-year big man is averaging 9.6 points and 7.3 rebounds in 20.7 minutes across seven games this season.

DECEMBER 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Strong night on boards Okongwu racked up six points (2-8 FG, 2-4 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals in 28 minutes during Monday's 128-103 loss to the Grizzlies.

Impact Okongwu reached double digits in rebounds for the first time since Nov. 25 against Houston in just his third start of the 2022-23 campaign. He also saw more playing time than usual with both John Collins (ankle) and Clint Capela (Achilles) sidelined. The 22-year-old is averaging 7.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.0 assist through the first 27 contests of the season.

DECEMBER 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Monday Okongwu is starting Monday's contest against the Grizzlies, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

Impact With Clint Capela (Achilles) ruled out, the USC product will officially make his third start of the season. Throughout his first two starts this year, Okongwu is averaging 5.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists 1.5 steals and 2.0 blocks across 33.5 minutes per game.

DECEMBER 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Approaches double-double off bench Okongwu finished with 14 points (6-8 FG, 2-3 FT), nine rebounds, one assist and one steal across 22 minutes in Sunday's 123-122 overtime win over the Bulls.

Impact Though Okongwu came through with an efficient line off the bench, the Hawks ran no overlap between him and starting center Clint Capela. Unless head coach Nate McMillan elects to scale back Capela's playing time or use him and Okongwu together more frequently, it's difficult to envision Okongwu's role expanding much without a Capela injury. While Capela has been available for each of the Hawks' first five games of December, Okongwu is averaging 20.0 minutes per contest over that stretch.

DECEMBER 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Available Sunday Okongwu (foot) is available for Sunday's game against Chicago.

Impact Okongwu was questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup due to a sore left foot, but he'll be able to play through the issue against the Bulls. He's come off the bench in his last six appearances and has averaged 8.2 points and 5.7 rebounds in 18.3 minutes per game over that stretch.

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable Sunday Okongwu is questionable to play in Sunday's game versus Chicago due to left foot soreness, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.

Impact Okongwu is questionable to miss just his second game of the season Saturday. With John Collins (ankle) out, Frank Kaminsky and Jalen Johnson could see extended minutes in the frontcourt. Okongwu's next chance to play will be Monday's matchup with the Grizzlies if he's unavailable against Chicago.

DECEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Scores 10 points Wednesday Okongwu supplied 10 points (2-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-8 FT), six rebounds and one block in 24 minutes during Wednesday's 113-89 loss to New York.

Impact Okongwu scored in double figures Wednesday for the third time in his last four games. He's been more involved offensively of late and is averaging 8.4 points over his last nine contests. His eight free-throw attempts were his most in any game this year, and six of his 10 points came from the charity stripe.

DECEMBER 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gilgeous-Alexander scores 35 as Thunder rally past Hawks

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points, Josh Giddey had 12 of his 17 points in the final period, and the Oklahoma City Thunder overcame a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to...

DECEMBER 6, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Records two blocks Okongwu ended Sunday's 106-98 loss to the Heat with six points (3-7 FG), four rebounds, two blocks and one steal across 34 minutes.

Impact Okongwu shot well in limited chances and also swatted away two shots for the second straight game. He's seen a large uptick in minutes and has started two straight contests with Clint Capela (mouth) out due to injury, but his production has stayed relatively the same, tallying 10 total points and 15 boards in his last two appearances.

NOVEMBER 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs 11 boards in spot start Okongwu registered four points (4-6 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals over 33 minutes during Friday's 128-122 loss to the Rockets.

Impact Okongwu started for the first time this season, and while he didn't attempt a single shot from the field, he still delivered a decent stat line with double-digit rebounds and contributions in other categories. Okongwu should head back to the bench once Clint Capela (dental pain) is set to return to action, something that could happen as early as Sunday against the Heat.

NOVEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Friday Okongwu will start Friday's game against the Rockets, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact Okongwu immediately becomes a top-notch play in daily formats and is a streaming option for as long as Clint Capela (dental pain) is out.

NOVEMBER 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Secures second double-double Okongwu provided 18 points (6-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-6 FT) and 10 rebounds across 20 minutes during Monday's 114-102 loss to Cleveland.

Impact Okongwu turned in a strong performance after failing to show much life in his last three matchups. He enjoyed an efficient shooting night and also knocked down a season-high six shots from the charity stripe. Okongwu has scored in double figures only six other times this season, so this type of production on the offensive end isn't something that can be counted on at this point.

NOVEMBER 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mitchell, Garland combine for 55 in Cavs' win over Hawks

Donovan Mitchell had 29 points and nine assists, and Darius Garland scored 26 points, sending the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 114-102 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in the teams’ firs...

NOVEMBER 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS