The Atlanta Hawks COVID-19 problems continued Friday as the team put Wesley Iwundu and Onyeka Okongwu into health and safety protocols, bringing the team’s total to nine players out for virus-related reasons.
Barring any players returning Saturday in advance of their Christmas Day game against the New York Knicks, the Hawks will be barely recognizable on the court.
Atlanta had seven players missing Thursday and still earned a 98-96 road victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. Okongwu had 13 points and eight rebounds in the victory, while Iwundu had two points and five rebounds.
Those players now join Trae Young, Kevin Huerter, Lou Williams, Clint Capela, Danilo Gallinari, Sharife Cooper and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot on the COVID-19 list.
Multiple reports have indicated that Young, who has a team-leading 27.3 points per game, is not expected to emerge from protocols prior to Saturday’s game.
–Field Level Media