Onyeka Okongwu’s Stunning Rise: How the Hawks’ Young Big Man Became the NBA’s Breakout Star in 2026

Atlanta Hawks big man Onyeka Okongwu is turning heads across the NBA after exploding for a career-best shooting night that powered Atlanta to a 135-101 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. The 23-year-old poured in 25 points, drilling 7-of-12 from beyond the arc while adding 10 rebounds and six assists, his 15th double-double of the 2025-26 campaign. The performance extended the Hawks’ winning streak to four and nudged the club back to .500 (31-31) for the first time since late December, reigniting hopes of a postseason push in the crowded Eastern Conference. Okongwu’s sharpshooting showcased a new wrinkle in his evolving skill set; he entered the league known primarily for rim protection and pick-and-roll finishing, but offseason work with assistant coach Kyle Korver has unlocked a confident catch-and-shoot motion that now commands respect from defenses. Over his last six outings, the former No. 6 overall pick is averaging 19.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks while hitting 48 percent from deep, a surge that has vaulted him into Most Improved Player conversations and onto fantasy-basketball watchlists. Opponents who sagged off the 6-8 center earlier in the season are being punished, opening driving lanes for Trae Young and newly acquired wing Jonathan Kuminga. Sunday’s breakout also underlined Atlanta’s improved spacing. With Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ankle) and Jalen Johnson (hip) returning to the lineup, coach Quin Snyder rolled out five-out sets that pulled Portland’s shot-blocker Donovan Clingan away from the paint. Okongwu capitalized early, burying three triples in the first quarter as Atlanta erupted for 44 points and never looked back. The timing couldn’t be better. The Hawks embark on a four-game road swing this week, facing top-eight defenses in Miami and Milwaukee. Continued marksmanship from their young center will be critical against opponents that load up on Young’s pick-and-roll actions. Scouts also note that Okongwu’s quick release from the corners forces slower bigs to close hard, a factor that may persuade Snyder to keep him in late-game lineups even when traditional center Clint Capela is available. Beyond the box score, teammates praise Okongwu’s leadership. “He’s vocal now,” guard CJ McCollum said postgame. “You can see the confidence—he knows he can change a game on both ends.” That mindset shift traces back to December, when a brief dental fracture sidelined him for two games; the hiatus sparked what Okongwu called a “reset,” leading to additional film sessions and extra shooting reps. If the Southern California product continues this trajectory, Atlanta could sport a legitimate stretch-five threat for the first time in years—an element that radically alters the team’s ceiling. With trade-deadline rumors swirling earlier this season, the Hawks ultimately kept their ascending big man. That decision suddenly looks prescient as Okongwu’s breakout becomes one of the league’s most compelling late-season storylines.