Soaring Down South
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Atlanta Hawks C Onyeka Okongwu has always played Giannis well

By Joshua Buckhalter

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 17: Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks earns a jump ball as he defends against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at State Farm Arena on January 17, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 17: Onyeka Okongwu #17 of the Atlanta Hawks earns a jump ball as he defends against Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at State Farm Arena on January 17, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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If the Atlanta Hawks (31-33) have a secret weapon for Giannis Antetokoumpo, it has to be second-year big man Onyeka Okongwu. They really need to get this win on Wednesday versus the defending champs and the MVP of the NBA Finals, even though they’ve beaten them twice already this season, and he will be key in doing so.

Losing to the Detroit Pistons in overtime robbed them of taking over the eight-seed with just 19 games to go.

They also still have the Washington Wizards breathing down their necks just 1.5 games back for the final spot in the play-in tournament, though, they will meet for one more head-to-head matchup on Apr 6.

First, they have to unleash their secret weapon on the Greek Freak.

The Atlanta Hawks need Onyeka Okonwu to play Giannis as tough as he always does

Okongwu is having a nice season averaging 8.6 points and 5.3 boards while shooting 73.2 percent from the floor and knocking down 73.1 percent of his free throws in 21 minutes per game. Boston Celtics center Robert Williams is the only other player in the NBA averaging at least 8.0 points and 5.0 boards while shooting 70.0 percent or better from the floor and the line.

What’s more, he’s also averaging 1.4 blocks and 1.1 assists per game showing his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor.

The former USC Trojan matched up with Antetokounmpo for a little over four minutes across three regular-season games last year, allowing five points and one assist. But he took and hit just one shot while getting the rest from the charity stripe going 3-of-4.

In the postseason, they clashed for just under six minutes.

The two-time MVP tallied nine points on 3-of-5 (60.0%) shooting. But again got some easy ones going 3-of-5 at the line. Still, that is not at all bad in four games of work.

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This year, Okongwu held Antetokounmpo to 2-of-12 shooting for nine points in their lone meeting as the former’s bugaboo of fouling has been his Achilles’ heel. He missed the first while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

Antetokounmpo finished the first game with 26 points and dropped 27 points in the second; both Hawks wins. And Clint Capela – who missed the last meeting allowing Okongwu to start – held Giannis to 50.0 percent shooting. But it was 8-of-16 and resulted in 20 points on his head as he is strong enough but lacks the mobility to stick with the Bucks superstar.

They will surely need both to be at the top of their game against the surging Bucks who have won five in a row and 10 of their last 14.

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Okongwu returned from a two-game absence (concussion) versus the Pistons. He ended the night with just two points, four rebounds, and a block in over 19 minutes of action. Hopefully, that knocked off some of the rust for him so he can shine just as John Collins did in that game.

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