In a welcome boost for the Atlanta Hawks, Kristaps Porziņģis is set to return to the lineup against the Chicago Bulls on Monday, ending a brief rest period that saw him sidelined for the team's last outing. The 7-foot-3 Latvian big man, acquired in a blockbuster trade over the summer, brings elite shooting and rim protection to a frontcourt that's been finding its rhythm early in the 2025-26 season.
Porziņģis's absence opened the door for Onyeka Okongwu, the athletic 24-year-old center who started 40 games last year and stepped up admirably, averaging solid minutes in the paint. But with the veteran back, Okongwu slides to the bench, where he's shown promise in recent spot duty—chipping in double-digit points and rebounds over his last five reserve appearances. It's a tough adjustment for the young Hawk, who's been a defensive anchor, but the duo's potential pairing could be a game-changer, blending Porziņģis's length with Okongwu's mobility.
The Hawks have won three of their past four games, leaning on this revamped interior presence alongside Jalen Johnson and newcomer Zaccharie Risacher. Porziņģis, ranked highly among offseason additions by ESPN, is expected to start at center, displacing Okongwu from the first unit for now. While the move raises questions about rotation minutes in a crowded big-man group, it underscores Atlanta's push for playoff contention in the East.
As the Hawks navigate these lineup tweaks, one wonders how this frontcourt experiment will evolve over the grind of the season.
