Onyeka Okongwu was set to make his debut with the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night, but that was scratched after their game versus the Phoenix Suns was postponed.
The NBA on Wednesday, January 13, morning announced the contest was postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Suns’ roster. Phoenix did not have the league-required eight players available to play due to contact tracing on the team.
The Suns played the Wizards on Monday night in Phoenix, but Washington now has two players in the COVID-19 health and safety protocol. Out of caution, the Suns have been held out of playing on Wednesday with multiple players of their own in the health and safety protocol.
The postponement of the Hawks and Suns matchup will mean Okongwu will have to wait one more scheduled game to make his official debut. He has not yet appeared in a game with the Hawks after he was diagnosed with inflammation of the sesamoid bone on Nov. 20.
Atlanta had listed Okongwu as probable to play on Wednesday night, meaning he would have likely made his debut versus the Suns. The news the game was postponed did not sit that well with the rookie.
The sixth overall pick will have his next chance to take the court with the Hawks on Friday against the Utah Jazz, barring unforeseen circumstances with testing.
