Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young had a season-high 43 points to go with 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals in a win over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. But it was teammate Onyeka Okongwu who made franchise history in the 122-117 victory.
Okongwu finished with 22 points and 21 rebounds, adding 1 assist and 1 steal with just one turnover. He also shot 64.3% from the floor.
Okongwu is the first Hawks bench player with a 20-20 game in franchise history.
His is the 23rd such performance in NBA history, per Stathead, and the first since Chicago Bulls big man Adama Sanogo in April of the 2023-24 season.
The @ATLHawks dropped BIG numbers in their win over the Suns 😮💨
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 15, 2025
Trae Young with a 40-piece & Onyeka Okongwu became the first player in Hawks FRANCHISE HISTORY to record a 20-20 game off the bench 🤯 pic.twitter.com/j63s0dclMF
This marked Okongwu’s second 20-plus-point performance of the season, and his first since the opener against the Brooklyn Nets. The rebounds are a new season high, besting his previous mark by 9 boards.
It is especially encouraging for Okongwu because he was in the midst of a scoring slump coming into the contest.
He scored double digits twice in his last six outings since returning from a five-game absence.
Okongwu’s night was especially key with another quiet offensive night from starter Clint Capela – who played nearly nine fewer minutes in the contest – and without Jalen Johnson in the lineup as he continues to deal with shoulder inflammation.
The Hawks also remain without bench sparkplug Larry Nance Jr., but they still outscored their Suns counterparts 50-26.
In addition to Okongwu, Garrison Mathews had 19 points fueled by a 5-for-8 clip from deep.
Hawks have figured out a formula at center
The Hawks’ center spot has been the subject of much consternation, and that is likely to continue at least through the trade deadline.
Capela is in the final year of his contarct and Okongwu is locked up for several more seasons after this one. There are questions about Okongwu’s ceiling as a starter, particularly with the durability issues he has already had.
However, there are clear limits to what Capela can do, particularly on offense.
The Hawks are in an interesting spot. They do not need to make a trade. But the lack of flexibility to pivot into a rebuild – the polite way to say “tank” – it makes more sense to at least explore their options to buy before the deadline on February 6.
That will not be easy, though. Finding a trade partner for any player that would bring back a worthwhile return also means weakening another area of the team.
Most importantly, it could disrupt the chemistry this group has built over a trying season.
The NBA is a business, so there would like be few if any hard feelings. But chemistry is a delicate thing, so any deal should be for a clear upgrade at a need. Not just a salary dump as teams have been wont to do.