Okongwu underwent a non-surgical procedure Tuesday to address ongoing inflammation in his left big toe and will be re-evaluated in approximately four weeks, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Okongwu hasn't played since March 21 due to the left big toe injury. Unless the Hawks can come out of the Play-In and go on a miraculous playoff run, the 22-year-old big man has essentially been shut down for the rest of the season. Okongwu will end the regular season with averages of 10.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks in 25.5 minutes across 55 appearances, including eight starts.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Remains out Wednesday
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Okongwu (toe) is listed as out for Wednesday's game against the Hornets.
Okongwu hasn't played since March 21 after he aggravated his left big toe sprain. He had been scheduled for a re-evaluation earlier this week, but the Hawks have yet to provide an update on his status.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Out at least one more week
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The Hawks announced Monday that Okongwu (toe) will be re-evaluated in 7-to-10 days.
Okongwu has been cleared to resume basketball activities, but based on his re-evaluation timeline, he's set to miss at least four games, and perhaps even the rest of the regular season. While Okongwu has been sidelined since March 21 with the left toe sprain, Bruno Fernando has re-entered head coach Quin Snyder's rotation as the top backup to starting center Clint Capela.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Remains sidelined
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Okongwu (toe) is out for Monday's game against the Bulls, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Okongwu will extend his streak of missed games to six due to a left toe sprain. Bruno Fernando will likely continue to see extended run in his absence.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Won't play Saturday
Rotowire
Okongwu (toe) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Bucks, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Okongwu will miss a fifth straight game due to a left toe sprain. He's made only two appearances since Feb. 12, so even if he gets the green light soon, the backup big will likely face heavy restrictions.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Still out against Boston
Rotowire
Okongwu (toe) won't play in Thursday's game versus the Celtics, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Okongwu's absence streak will extend to four games Thursday due to a left toe sprain. Bruno Fernando will likely continue to receive increased opportunities in his absence. Okongwu's next chance to suit up is Saturday's matchup with Milwaukee.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Won't play Wednesday
Rotowire
Okongwu (toe) is out for Wednesday's game against the Trail Blazers.
Okongwu recently aggravated his left toe injury and will be unavailable for a third consecutive matchup. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available for the second half of the back-to-back set Thursday against the Celtics.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Ruled out for Monday
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Okongwu (toe) won't play Monday against Boston, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Okongwu will miss his second consecutive game due to a left toe sprain after he had recently returned from a 13-game absence on account of the same injury. Though Atlanta hasn't indicated that Okongwu aggravated the issue, it's noteworthy that his consecutive absences have both come in standalone games rather than as part of back-to-back sets. With Okongwu sidelined Monday, Bruno Fernando should see an enhanced role in the rotation as the backup center behind starter Clint Capela.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Officially out Saturday
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Okongwu (toe) has been ruled out for Saturday's matchup with the Hornets.
No surprise here, as Okongwu went into the game with a doubtful designation. He had played in two straight games since returning from a 13-game absence, so it looks like the Hawks are erring on the side of caution with their big man. His next opportunity to suit up will come Monday versus the Celtics.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Will play vs. Lakers
Rotowire
Okongwu (toe) is available for Monday's game against Los Angeles, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports.
Okongwu will be available for the first time since Feb. 12 after recovering from a left big toe sprain/inflammation. He'll likely see minutes as the backup center Monday evening behind Clint Capela.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Chance to play Monday
Rotowire
Okongwu (toe) is questionable for Monday's game against the Lakers, Mike Conti of the Atlanta Hawks Radio Network reports.
Okongwu has been sidelined since Feb. 12 but is nearing a return. However, even if he gets the green light Monday, Okongwu would likely be limited to a backup role behind Clint Capela.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Out at least another week
Rotowire
The Hawks announced Thursday that Okongwu (toe) no longer requires a walking boot and will be re-evaluated in 7-to-10 days, Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
While ditching the boot represents a step forward in Okongwu's recovery from a left big toe sprain/inflammation, the fact that he's merely scheduled to be re-evaluated at least a week down the road suggests that his absence is likely to stretch into late March, if not April. With Okongwu out, Bruno Fernando should continue to have a regular spot in the rotation as the top backup to starting center Clint Capela.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Will be re-evaluated in two weeks
Rotowire
Okongwu (toe) is in a walking boot and is expected to be re-evaluated in two weeks.
Okongwu sprained his left big toe shortly before the All-Star break and is not yet near a return. While he is sidelined for at least the next two weeks, Bruno Fernando figures to be the primary backup behind Clint Capela at center. However, Mouhamed Gueye (back) could see some action as well, while Jalen Johnson could also get some extra work if Atlanta opts to go small.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: No timetable to return
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Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said Thursday that Okongwu (toe) will be sidelined "for the foreseeable future," Lauren L. Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Okongwu sustained a sprained left big toe shortly before the All-Star break and was slated to be re-evaluated following the layoff. However, it appears as though he'll be forced to miss more time, and it's not yet clear when he'll be able to return to game action. Despite Okongwu's absence, the Hawks are slated to get a boost in the frontcourt since Clint Capela (adductor) will be available with a minutes restriction for Friday's game against Toronto.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Out at least one week
Rotowire
Okongwu was diagnosed Tuesday with a sprained left big toe following an MRI and be listed as out for Wednesday's game versus Charlotte and re-evaluated in 7-to-10 days.
The All-Star break arrives at a fortuitous time for the 23-year-old, who could miss as little as one game if he's re-evaluated at the one-week mark and immediately cleared to resume on-court activity. While playing 30-plus minutes and making his fifth straight start in place of the injured Clint Capela (addutcor), Okongwu suffered the injury late in the fourth quarter of Monday's 136-126 loss to the Bulls. Capela is said to be progressing and is expected to resume practicing following the All-Star break, so at this stage, he would seem to be the likelier of two injured centers to be available for the Hawks' first game of the second half Feb. 23 versus the Raptors. As for Wednesday's game, the Hawks will be left with little depth at center and will likely be forced to turn to Bruno Fernando for a spot start. Jalen Johnson could slide over from power forward to serve as a small-ball option at center whenever Fernando is off the court.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Injures toe late Monday
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Hawks head coach Quin Snyder said after Monday's 136-126 loss to the Bulls that Okongwu didn't play the final 3:58 of the contest due to a toe injury, Brad Rowland of the Locked On Podcast Network reports. He posted 11 points (5-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and one block in 33 minutes prior to departing.
Okongwu's status will need to be monitored in advance of Wednesday's game against Charlotte. Snyder didn't go into much detail regarding the severity of Okongwu's injury, but Atlanta may have merely been exercising an abundance of caution with the 23-year-old. Clint Capela (groin) isn't expected to be available until after the All-Star break, so if Okongwu ends up sitting out Wednesday, Atlanta could be forced to rely heavily on Bruno Fernando as its fill-in starter at center. Starting power forward Jalen Johnson could also see some action as a small-ball center.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Drops 21 points Friday
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Okongwu totaled 21 points (9-12 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal across 34 minutes during Friday's 127-121 win over Philadelphia.
Okongwu scored in double digits for the seventh consecutive game, continuing his strong play of late. With Clint Capela (thigh) on the shelf, Okongwu has started the past three games. During that time he has averaged 19.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 three-pointers. Although it is unclear what his role will look like once Capela returns, Okongwu is a clear must-roster player across all formats right now.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Double-double in Wednesday's loss
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Okongwu finished with 19 points (7-11 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 36 minutes during Wednesday's 125-117 loss to the Celtics.
With Clint Capela (thigh) out for a second straight game, Okongwu recorded his seventh double-double of the season. Capela's injury isn't viewed as serious, but if he were to get moved at the trade deadline, Okongwu's fantasy value could skyrocket down the stretch. Five of his double-doubles this season have come in games during which he played 30-plus minutes.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Feasts Saturday
Rotowire
Okongwu notched 22 points (8-12 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 16 rebounds and two blocks over 36 minutes during Saturday's 141-134 overtime victory over the Warriors.
Okongwu flashed the tool kit Saturday, getting buckets on the offensive glass, capitalizing in Atlanta's pick-and-roll and knocking down multiple threes for the fourth time this season. He was too athletic for Kevon Looney, and far too large for Golden State's undersized frontcourt to stop throughout the contest. Saturday marked Okongwu's first 20-point game of the season.
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Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu: Production on rise
Rotowire
Okongwu racked up 15 points (7-8 FG, 1-1 3Pt), seven rebounds, two blocks and one steal across 27 minutes during Friday's 129-120 win over the Suns.
Okongwu has posted double-digit scoring in three consecutive games while averaging 24.3 minutes over that span. He and Clint Capela continue to remain in a roughly even split of the minutes at center, though Okongwu's fantasy value could ascend if Capela is dealt ahead of next Thursday's trade deadline. Even if more playing time is eventually headed his way, Okongwu hasn't quite been the per-minute monster he was through his first three NBA seasons thus far in 2023-24. His production has taken a step back on the defensive end in particular; Okongwu has posted a career-low 2.1 percent block rate.
