Onyeka Okongwu of the Atlanta Hawks recently was in the covid protocols with many of his other teammates. His experience was not what he was hoping for.

Sarah Spencer who covers the Hawks for the AJC said in a recent interview with Okongwu that he had this to say about his covid experience,

“COVID really messed me up bad.”

“Definitely, because this virus can kill. It's taken the lives of so many people. When you're experiencing COVID, you're thinking about that in the back of your head… But I'm just happy that I'm healthy & I feel good now.”

Article Continues Below
More Atlanta Hawks News
Jared McCain, Philadephia 76ers, Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat, Dyson Daniels, Atlanta Hawks, NBA Finals
Dyson Daniels, Matas Buzelis highlight NBA Finals correspondents for Thunder-PacersTomer Azarly ·
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) dribbles the ball under pressure from Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the third quarter at Fiserv Forum.
Hawks rumors: Dominique Wilkins sounds off on potential Giannis-Trae Young duoMalik Brown ·
Nickeil Alexander-Walker playing for Timberwolves with Timberwolves logo in background.
Ranking Nickeil Alexander-Walker free-agency destinations if he leaves TimberwolvesBailey Bassett ·
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) dribbles the ball past Toronto Raptors guard Davion Mitchell (45) during the first half at State Farm Arena.
Hawks’ Trae Young puts Marcus Morris on blast for ridiculous ‘passing’ narrativeMalik Brown ·
Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) dribbles against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at American Airlines Center.
Trae Young’s 5-word message after All-NBA snubTomer Azarly ·
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts with Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young (11) after the Bucks defeated the Hawks at State Farm Arena.
Hawks rumors: Bill Simmons envisions Giannis joining Trae Young with blockbuster tradeJackson Stone ·

This is definitely a scary experience for the young Hawks forward. He was their first-round pick in the 2020 draft and has certainly started to form into a nice little player for them this season. It does really go to show just how this virus can affect everybody differently and even affect some of the best and healthiest people in all of the world.

The Hawks are excited to have him back as they are certainly going to need him towards the middle part of the season. They have not been playing good basketball at all this season as they are currently 16-19 and in 12th Place of the Eastern Conference. This wasn't what the Atlanta Hawks were expecting at all after making it to a Conference Final a season ago. Many of their early-season struggles can definitely be put on their inability to stay healthy and having a lot of players in the protocols.