Atlanta tipped off their 2025 preseason tonight against the Houston Rockets, where they lost 113-122. While the outcome of a preseason game does not matter in the grand scheme of things, there was no shortage of intrigue as the new-look Hawks took on the new-look Rockets.
There have been a lot of storylines to follow this offseason, with the most notable being the battle between Kristaps Porzingis and Onyeka Okongwu for Atlanta's starting center job on opening night.
Hawks fans were delighted to see that Kristaps Porzingis got the start at center. The hype surrounding his arrival has been like no other. While his impact was felt out of the gates, a clear difference between the two centers revealed itself as the game went on.
In just 12 minutes of action, Okongwu poured in 11 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 1 steal on 4/8 from the floor and 1/3 from deep. He was also a team-high +8. Those are some elite numbers for a projected backup big.
Porzingis, on the other hand, recorded just 5 points in the same 12 minutes. He was 0/3 from beyond the arc and picked up 5 fouls along the way. His shot volume at the beginning of the game was high, but Atlanta seemed to go away from him as the game progressed.
Okongwu started the second half but did not get much more time on the court before checking out for the night. It was a solid all-around effort that deserved to be recognized.
Both centers have an impressive track record, but who deserves that spot more?
Last season, Onyeka Okongwu averaged 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. After taking over as Atlanta's starting center mid-season, his averages went up to 15.0 points and 10.1 rebounds a night. He has proven on several occasions that he deserves a starting job in this league.
It is no secret what Kristaps Porzingis can do when at his best. He had one of the better seasons of his career last year, averaging 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks per game on a career-high 41.2% from deep.
There is no reason to panic about KP's rough debut tonight, as he suited up for Latvia in EuroBasket just a few weeks prior. He will get better with time in this brand new system. As for Onyeka, he will look to add on to an impressive first game and prove that he deserves another chance to start.
Quin Snyder will have his work cut out for him as the regular season inches closer. Regardless of who gets the start on opening night, Atlanta is in good hands with one of the most elite center rotations in the NBA.