The Atlanta Hawks will be without backup center Onyeka Okongwu for at least the next four games due to inflammation in his left knee.
Selected sixth overall in the 2020 NBA draft, Okongwu is expected to be re-evaluated in a week.
Per Hawks:
Center Onyeka Okongwu (left knee inflammation) will be out for the next four games and will be re-evaluated in approximately one week. His status will be updated as appropriate.— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) December 18, 2024
This is the fourth season that Okongwu has effectively been in a time share with Clint Capela at the center position, and the veteran will now be relied upon more heavily for at least the next week.
In just under 24 minutes per game, Okongwu has produced 11.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while shooting 54.2 percent from the field.
The 24-year-old has been expected to take over the starting center spot since last year. However, the Hawks have not been able to find a suitable trade for Capela even though he continues to produce. Now in his 11th season, Capela is averaging 10.0 points, 9.4 rebounds and a block per game while shooting 57.6 percent from the field.
Hawks Rumors
Wielding a solid center rotation and some roster clarity after the clunky look of last year with Trae Young and Dejounte Murray together, the Hawks are hovering around .500 with a 14-13 record and reached the NBA Cup Semifinals.
Currently seventh in the East and a half-game back of the Miami Heat for the final guaranteed playoff spot, this could be a particularly interesting trade deadline for Atlanta.
Atlanta has been recently linked in a possible trade with the Denver Nuggets involving De’Andre Hunter, while Bogdan Bogdanovic, Larry Nance Jr. and Capela are also names that have generated interest.
Hawks injury update
Atlanta also confirmed that point guard Kobe Bufkin will miss the remainder of the season. The 15th overall pick in the 2023 draft has had several shoulder issues since entering the league and will undergo surgery to address right shoulder instability.
Bufkin missed this year’s Summer League due to partially dislocating his right shoulder and suffered a re-injury during practice just before the season opener. Those injuries have largely interrupted his first two years. He’s played just 27 total games, averaging 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists.
Atlanta returns to the floor Thursday night inside Frost Bank Center for a duel with the San Antonio Spurs.
