Nate McMillan gives update on Onyeka Okongwu

Hawks backup center Onyeka Okongwu is taking some time to be with family after the death of his father, according to coach Nate McMillan.

Okongwu is nearing a return to the Hawks after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in July. Whenever he feels comfortable coming back, it seems likely he’ll join the Hawks instead of the College Park Skyhawks and start practicing full-on with the team again. In his first game back from injury, Okongwu played for the Hawks’ G League affiliate Dec. 9, helping the team to its first win of the season.

But, the Hawks will give Okongwu as much time as he needs to be with family, McMillan added.

“I don’t have a timeline for Big O,” McMillan said at practice Tuesday. “We’re giving him as much time as he needs to be with family, and when I hear a date that he will return, I’m assuming he will return to us and start working with us and hopefully be available soon.”

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