Atlanta Hawks forward/center Onyeka Okongwu will be sidelined for at least two games after suffering a dental fracture in Wednesday’s victory over the Boston Celtics, the team announced Thursday. The injury stems from an inadvertent elbow to the mouth during the fourth quarter of a 117-106 road win at TD Garden, and it will keep the 25-year-old out of upcoming matchups, including Friday’s home game against the Houston Rockets and Saturday’s road contest in Indiana.
Okongwu, who has been having the best scoring season of his NBA career, required a dental procedure Thursday and has been placed on a day-to-day status as he recovers. The Hawks’ medical staff emphasized that while he is expected to miss at least two games, his return timeline will depend on how he responds to treatment and healing.
Injury Details and Game Incident
The injury occurred late in the fourth quarter when Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown unintentionally struck Okongwu in the mouth with an elbow while driving to the basket. Brown was assessed a flagrant foul on the play. Despite the painful blow — which left Okongwu missing at least one tooth — he briefly returned to the floor to sink a free throw before departing.
After the game, Brown said the contact was unintended, describing it simply as an aggressive play gone wrong, and he expressed sympathy for Okongwu’s injury based on his own past experiences with facial injuries in the league. Hawks coach Quin Snyder also highlighted Okongwu’s toughness in the aftermath, acknowledging that the injury looked severe but expressing confidence in his resilience.
Hawks’ Rotation and Team Context
Okongwu’s absence comes at a challenging time for Atlanta’s frontcourt. In addition to the dental injury, the Hawks are already without several key players:
- Jalen Johnson (left calf tightness)
- Kristaps Porzingis (left Achilles tendinitis)
- Zaccharie Risacher (left knee bone contusion)
Those absences have thinned Atlanta’s rotation and forced increased roles for bench players in the paint. With Okongwu out, the Hawks have recalled rookie forward-center Asa Newell from the G League affiliate to provide frontcourt depth.
Season Context for Okongwu
This season has been a breakout for Okongwu, who has posted career highs in scoring, assists, and steals, becoming a key contributor for a Hawks team vying for positioning in the Eastern Conference. Before the injury, he was averaging 16.3 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, solidifying his role in Atlanta’s rotation on both ends of the floor.
The injury timeline, while not extensive in duration, carries uncertainty — particularly given the nature of dental fractures and potential follow-up work that may be needed to ensure Okongwu’s long-term effectiveness and comfort on the court.
Looking Ahead
The Hawks will need to adjust their rotation for upcoming games without Okongwu’s presence inside. Atlanta’s frontcourt depth has been tested throughout the season, and further absences could impact late-season positioning. Okongwu’s eventual return — even on a limited basis with protective gear — would provide a boost to a team looking to solidify its playoff hopes.
As the team continues to monitor his progress, head coach Quin Snyder is expected to provide periodic updates on Okongwu’s status, with the hope that the forward/center’s competitive and gritty style will return to the Hawks’ lineup as soon as possible.
