Hawks’ Onyeka Okongwu sustains dental fracture following elbow to the face

Onyeka Okongwu sustained a dental fracture after being elbowed in the mouth during Atlanta’s most recent game, and he will be sidelined for at least the Hawks’ upcoming contest against the Houston Rockets on Thursday evening.

Okongwu was struck by Boston guard Jaylen Brown while Brown had possession of the ball in the fourth quarter of the Hawks’ victory on Wednesday night. Brown received a flagrant foul for the incident. A bloodied Okongwu returned briefly to take a foul shot before leaving the game.

As a result of the incident, Okongwu was missing at least one tooth. Following the game, Brown remarked that the contact was accidental.

“Just a basketball play, it’s unfortunate,” Brown stated. “Okongwu’s a good player, and I know from my own experience with a fractured face and chipped teeth. … It wasn’t intentional, and I know it’s going to be a long day at the dentist for him, so hopefully he has a good recovery.”

Brown experienced a maxillary facial fracture two seasons ago after colliding with teammate Jayson Tatum while attempting to secure an offensive rebound. He returned to play wearing a protective mask after a four-game absence.

Hawks coach Quin Snyder addressed Okongwu’s injury following the game.

“He’s tough,” Snyder remarked. “It’s fortunate that dentistry is a profession. I don’t know what he’s going to require. He’s pretty banged up. He took quite a shot. So I told him he’s still handsome, but it’s a good thing that people can repair his teeth, because he’s going to need some work.”