Atlanta Hawks: What to make of recent injury updates for key players

The Atlanta Hawks (9-9) just completed an undefeated, five-game homestand that has them back at .500 for the first time since falling to 4-4 following the first of their six-straight losses on a miserable road trip. Home cooking has proven to be kind to the Hawks as they boast the best home record in the Eastern Conference.

Unfortunately, they also boast the worst road record in the conference as they have navigated chemistry and health issues (again) this season.

To that latter point, they are actually relatively healthier this season at this point than they were last year. But they have dealt with forward De’Andre Hunter being out for a lengthy period due to an injury while they also entered the campaign without second-year big Onyeka Okongwu.

The Atlanta Hawks gave encouraging updates on the health status of two key players

Hawks general manager gave updates on the status of both Okongwu and Hunter on Tuesday. The former underwent shoulder surgery this past offseason and had yet to take part in team activities. That has changed recently and the former USC Trojan was spotted shooting stationary threes at practice.

As if that visual wasn’t encouraging enough, general manager Travis Schlenk offered up his own promising assessment, telling John Fricke of John & Hugh on 92.9 The Game in Atlanta that Okongwu would practice with the College Park Skyhawks in December.

He added that the athletic big man could be back by the middle of next month, about a month ahead of even the most optimistic estimates.

Last we heard, Okongwu wasn’t expected back until January at the earliest and, more realistically, by February. True to that more cautious approach, Nate McMillan stopped short of giving a timeline for his return,  perhaps tempering expectations from an optimistic executive.

For what it’s worth, Okongwu has always had December as his personal target.

The word on Hunter wasn’t quite as optimistic as Okongwu, with his head coach speaking on his recovery process following wrist surgery, his third surgery in less than a year. But it was still positive.

"“He’s doing a little conditioning, cardio on the bike, but he’s doing good… The pain is starting to lessen with him. He will be traveling with us to try to keep him connected. But he’s doing good.” – via Sarah K. Spencer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution."

Hunter’s timeline is also January.

The biggest takeaway at this point is that both players are, at the very least, on track for their returns and could even be ahead of schedule. Nothing definitive, but good news nonetheless as the Hawks get set to go on a two-game getaway against the San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies.

It will also be interesting to watch how the on-court chemistry works out when both players get back.