18 articles
ATL • F-C • #17
13 days ago
Despite moving to the bench to make room in the starting lineup for Kristaps Porziņģis (14/6/7/2/1 with two three-pointers), Okongwu’s production has increased. Through five games, he’s averaging 15.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.2 three-pointers, exceeding his 2024-25 averages in points, rebounds and three-pointers. Okongwu has been a top-50 player thus far, which is an excellent development for those who have him rostered.
ATL • F-C • #17
18 days ago
With Kristaps Porzingis (illness) sidelined, Okongwu got the start at center for Atlanta. He really struggled in the first half, but he was able to get things going after the break and ended up turning in a solid stat line, despite the disappointing rebound total. The Hawks play against on Saturday against the Thunder, and if Porzingis still isn’t healthy, Okongwu will get another start.
ATL • F-C • #17
18 days ago
Okongwu will get the start in place of Kristaps Porzingis (illness) in the Hawks’ second game of the season. He scored 18 points off the bench in the opener in 30 minutes of action and has familiarity with a few of Friday’s starters. Meanwhile, Alexander-Walker will make his first start as a Hawk and will look to improve on an inefficient 10-point, 2-of-15 shooting performance in his Atlanta debut on Wednesday. He’ll replace the injured Zaccharie Risacher (ankle).
Source: Zach Langley
ATL • F-C • #17
26 days ago
The Hawks are without two expected starters for Thursday’s preseason finale, with Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson ruled out. Both players are expected to be a full go when the team opens the regular season on October 22, so fantasy managers need not worry. Alexander-Walker and Okongwu will start; both will figure prominently in the Hawks’ rotation during the regular season. And there may be times when Atlanta starts Okongwu and Porziņģis together, depending on the matchup. Thursday is one of those instances.
Source: Brad Rowland
ATL • F-C • #17
about 1 month ago
An official decision has yet to be made regarding the Hawks’ starting lineup once the regular season begins. However, Okongwu came off the bench Monday night, with offseason addition Kristaps Porziņģis (five points, one assist and one steal) starting at the center position. While some fantasy managers may have been disappointed by Monday’s development, two things must be kept in mind. Okongwu will still play plenty, and there will likely be times when the two posts are on the court simultaneously. Also, Porziņģis has logged 60 games or more just once since the 2016-17 season. Given the track record, there will likely be an extended absence at some point, and Okongwu’s value would increase in those spots.
ATL • F-C • #17
7 months ago
Okongwu was much better against Miami than he was against Orlando, but it wasn’t enough to change the result for the Hawks. Still, it was an excellent night in the box score for Okongwu, and it should have fantasy managers feeling encouraged ahead of next season. He took over as the Hawks’ starting center in January and averaged 15.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.9 blocks and 0.9 triples after taking the job. He should remain in a starting role next season, which makes him an attractive option in category formats. He should be taken in the top-50 in drafts.
ATL • F-C • #17
7 months ago
After sitting out Sunday’s regular-season finale, Okongwu had a minimal impact on Tuesday’s proceedings in Orlando. This performance was a far cry from his production in an April 8 loss to the Magic, in which the Hawks center went for 30 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Okongwu and the Hawks return home for another Play-In tournament game on Friday, as they’ll host the winner of Wednesday’s matchup between Miami and Chicago.
ATL • F-C • #17
7 months ago
After sitting out Sunday’s regular-season finale, Okongwu had a minimal impact on Tuesday’s proceedings in Orlando. This performance was a far cry from his production in an April 8 loss to the Magic, in which the Hawks center went for 30 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Okongwu and the Hawks return home for another Play-In tournament game on Friday, as they’ll host the winner of Wednesday’s matchup between Miami and Chicago.
ATL • F-C • #17
7 months ago
With the Hawks locked into the eighth seed in the East regardless of Sunday’s results, the team’s three most important players will sit. Okongwu joins Trae Young and Dyson Daniels on the sidelines. Okongwu’s absence means more playing time for Dominick Barlow, who logged two minutes in Friday’s win over the 76ers. He will likely start against the Magic.
Source: Atlanta Hawks
ATL • F-C • #17
7 months ago
Atlanta is locked into the eight-seed in the East and will visit Orlando in the first round of next week’s play-in tournament. There’s nothing on the line for Sunday’s regular-season matchup, which may prompt the Hawks to rest key players like Okongwu and Daniels. Garrison Mathews and Vit Krejci are two of the players who would play more if the Hawks decide to rest their starters.
Source: Atlanta Hawks
ATL • F-C • #17
7 months ago
Sunday’s double-double was Okongwu’s third in five games, and the 27 points are the most he’s scored since February 5. Since the All-Star break, the Hawks’ starting center has provided third-round value in nine-cat formats and fourth-round value in eight-cat. Okongwu has made the most of his opportunity since being moved into the starting lineup to the delight of many fantasy managers. Look for his Yahoo! ADP to be well within the top 100 next season after he began this season at 116.
ATL • F-C • #17
7 months ago
Okongwu continues to have a massive role for the Hawks with Clint Capela and Jalen Johnson out. The 24-year-old center played 40 minutes and had a 20-point double-double against the Mavericks Wednesday. Okongwu has seen his production tick up since the All-Star break, and he should be able to maintain this level of play through the rest of the regular season.
ATL • F-C • #17
8 months ago
Okongwu was one of six Hawks to finish with double-digit scoring, and he led all rebounders in the contest. The big man has thrived since returning from the All-Star break, averaging better than 15 points, 10 rebounds, a steal and a block. With Clint Capela and Jalen Johnson out, expect Okongwu to continue producing at a high level to close out the 2024-25 campaign.
ATL • F-C • #17
8 months ago
Okongwu continued his stellar play on Saturday, recording his fourth consecutive double-double. Over the past month, the Hawks center has provided top-20 value in eight-cat formats. With Clint Capela likely done for the season due to injury, nothing has prevented Okongwu from logging heavy minutes. Not only is he helping fantasy managers win their leagues this season, but Onyeka is boosting his value for drafts in the fall.
ATL • F-C • #17
8 months ago
Okongwu rattled off his third-straight double-double and thrived on both ends. The Hawks big man is averaging 14.5 points and 9.8 rebounds as a starter this season. He’ll face his former high school teammate LaMelo Ball against the Hornets on Tuesday.
ATL • F-C • #17
8 months ago
Okongwu took over the starting center job for the Hawks in January and hasn’t looked back. March might be his best month so far as the 24-year-old is averaging 13.3 points per game, 10.8 rebounds per game, 1.2 blocks per game and 1.0 steals per game this month. A former top-10 pick by the Hawks in 2020, Okongwu has come out of relative obscurity to be just outside the top-50 in fantasy value over the last month.
ATL • F-C • #17
8 months ago
Okongwu struggled in Tuesday’s loss to Milwaukee, which made his performance against Indiana encouraging. He has played well overall as of late, as he has recorded a double-double in three of Atlanta’s last four games. This performance was Okongwu’s fourth 20-point double-double since he took over the starting center job in January. Okongwu ranks just outside the top-50 in nine-cat value over the past month, and he has seen his value rise in recent weeks. Moving into the starting lineup has helped Okongwu ascend to fantasy stardom.
ATL • F-C • #17
9 months ago
Okongwu finished Friday’s defeat with his 15th double-double of the season and sixth since moving into the starting lineup on January 20. As expected, the lineup change has paid dividends for those rostering the 2020 lottery pick. Since January 20, Okongwu has provided top 75 per-game value in eight- and nine-cat formats. That may not be “elite” production, but it’s an improvement for a player who spent the first half of the season well outside the top 100. Okongwu finishing the season as a top-75 player would be unsurprising at this rate.