The Atlanta Hawks have kicked off their 2025-26 campaign on shaky terms. Highlighted by the latest developments concerning Kristaps Porzingis' illness, the Hawks' front court hasn't started as sturdy as advertised, opening the season with a 1-2 record.
Atlanta's young front court has stepped up in lieu of Porzingis and Jalen Johnson, with several of their depth pieces proving their worth in the rotation early. The most notable of these depth pieces have been Mouhamed Gueye and rookie Asa Newell. Gueye has led the pack of young bigs, averaging 12 points and 7 rebounds in the two games Porzingis has missed.
In Asa Newell's case, Atlanta's matchup versus the Oklahoma City Thunder was Newell's second opportunity to see real minutes in the NBA, and he certainly didn't disappoint. He finished the game with a double-double off the bench. Newell has quickly shut down anyone critical of his draft-day trade to the Hawks.
In addition to Atlanta's young bigs making an impact, their offseason additions have added a veteran presence to their already established frontcourt identity. With Porzingis' timetable to return up in the air at the moment, forwards such as Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Onyeka Okongwu have anchored this front court in a period of uncertainty.
Through the first three games of the season, Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been solid, averaging 15 points in a little under 30 minutes a game. But the biggest splash has undoubtably been made my Onyeka Okongwu, who has started an early campaign for 6MOTY.
The Hawks' strength in numbers approach to the frontcourt has paid off
Through these first three games, KP's absence has allowed us to see that this is a front court that is blending their youth with an established veteran presence. Whenever Porzingis is back, he and Onyeka Okongwu offer stability that allows Atlanta's younger bigs more opportunity to craft their game and offensive identity.
In addition to their depth, a front court like this complements the perimeter-centric focus that a Quin Snyder offense typically demands. With Trae Young controlling the pace, this frontcourt offers a unique change in tempo, whether it's the veterans or the young guys anchoring it.
Of course, the hope is that Kristaps' return to the hardwood is sooner rather than later. Still, if the illness continues to linger, the Hawks' front office has seen that Okongwu, Newell, and company can do more than just hold their own in this offense; they have the potential to shine in these opportunities.
For the fans, this early adversity may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. With the veteran presence unavailable, these young players have been getting valuable reps, and so far, they've flourished in these limited opportunities.
The Hawks are no longer dependent on the health of one or two players, and these early-season obstacles have exposed the league to the richness of this frontcourt depth.