{"id":167290,"date":"2025-11-20T15:37:47","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T20:37:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=167290"},"modified":"2025-11-20T21:23:45","modified_gmt":"2025-11-21T02:23:45","slug":"hawks-center-takes-major-offensive-leap-this-season","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/11\/20\/hawks-center-takes-major-offensive-leap-this-season\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawks Center Takes Major Offensive Leap This Season"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Atlanta Hawks just wrapped a five-game win streak, including a four-game West Coast road trip sweep<\/a>. The Detroit Pistons snapped the Hawks’ run on Nov. 18 for their 11th-straight win, but Atlanta still sits in excellent position with a 9-6 record on the season.<\/p>\n

Jalen Johnson’s<\/a> magnificent performances deservedly earned him Eastern Conference Player of the Week<\/a> honors. However, Onyeka Okongwu’s<\/a> strong start to the campaign has not garnered as much attention. His offensive jump, particularly with his outside shot, helps Atlanta’s offense navigate the challenge of producing consistent scoring without Trae Young<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hawks Center Takes Major Offensive Leap This Season<\/h2>\n

Okongwu Lets the 3-Ball Fly<\/h3>\n

To get the full picture of Okongwu’s 3-point shot development, we must go back to his exit interview in 2022<\/a>. \u201cThe next time you see me, I will have a jump shot,” said the Hawks’ center. He followed up on his promise, expanding to the mid-range area the following season. His long-range ability slowly improved over the next three campaigns, taking corner 3-pointers at low volume. However, that is no longer the case. He took a major step forward this season, showing no hesitation from beyond the arc.<\/p>\n

Okongwu takes a career-high 4.6 3-pointers per game after averaging 2.0 in the 2024-25 campaign. He knocks them down at a 40.6% clip, resulting in 1.9 makes per contest. The sixth pick in the 2020 NBA Draft cashed in 17 3-pointers in his last four games. This stretch includes Okongwu’s career-high performance against the Utah Jazz of 32 points on 8-of-14 shooting from beyond the arc. Last season, Atlanta’s center drained 48 triples, and he already reached 28 through 15 games this season. He is on pace to smash his career high.<\/p>\n

\n

Hawks Onyeka Okongwu 32 PTS (11-18 FG, 8-14 3P), 11 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL, 3 BLK, 85% TS highlights vs. Jazz https:\/\/t.co\/IXFyTwuoz4<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/FDNztwV07m<\/a><\/p>\n

— Role Player Performances (@BenchHighlights) November 14, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n