Christian

Koloko

With Onyeka Okongwu (mouth) sidelined for this game, Koloko got his first start as a Hawk. With Okongwu ruled out for Saturday’s game against Indiana, he should get the nod again in what will be a more favorable matchup for him. Koloko didn’t do much scoring, but he was decent on the glass and was able to contribute defensively. He’ll hold streaming upside in another start against the Pacers, but managers shouldn’t expect a monster performance.

Atlanta will be incredibly shorthanded for this game, with Jalen Johnson (calf) and Onyeka Okongwu (mouth) both sidelined. Krejci and Koloko will join the starting group, and there should be extra minutes off the bench available for Mouhamed Gueye and Asa Newell.

Okongwu exited Wednesday’s game against the Celtics after being hit in the mouth by Jaylen Brown, resulting in a dental fracture that required surgery. As a result, he’ll miss at least two games, starting with Thursday’s matchup with the Rockets. Okongwu is considered day-to-day, and the Hawks will rely on Mouhamed Gueye and Christian Koloko to fill the resulting void.

Okongwu took an elbow to the face in Wednesday’s game against the Celtics and was left with a bloody mouth and fractured teeth. He had a procedure done on Thursday and will be held out for at least this game. Christian Koloko and Mouhamed Gueye figure to see an increase in minutes, but the usage should still run through the Hawks’ main playmakers.

Koloko backed up Onyeka Okongwu (12/10/2 with a block in 31 minutes) at center, and he logged more minutes than Mouhamed Gueye (seven points and six rebounds in 13 minutes). Koloko is on a two-way deal, but he could see meaningful minutes until Kristaps Porziņǵis (Achilles) returns to the lineup. The former is worth a look in deep leagues only.

Counting Monday’s game against the Bucks, Porziņǵis has missed Atlanta’s last six games with left Achilles tendinitis. His continued absence means more rotation minutes for Mouhamed Gueye, who has served as the primary backup to Onyeka Okongwu. Recent signing Christian Koloko may also get some run, but neither he nor Gueye is in a position to affect fantasy basketball.

Porziņģis is set to miss a fifth straight game. Mouhamed Gueye should continue to fill out the backup center minutes, with Asa Newell and the recently-signed Christian Koloko also potentially sprinkling in some minutes. However, Onyeka Okongwu will continue to log most of the minutes at center.

Koloko has spent time with both the Lakers and Grizzlies this season and will now get a chance with Atlanta. With how much time Kristaps Porzingis was missed recently, Koloko should get the chance to fill out minutes as the backup center for the Hawks, though it is unlikely he plays a significant role for them.

Initially probable for Memphis’ second game in as many nights, Jackson has been downgraded to questionable. With Santi Aldama also questionable because of a sore right ankle, the Grizzlies could be down two rotation frontcourt players. In that case, they would have to rely even more on Jock Landale and Christian Koloko, with the former being the safer streaming option.

After playing 20 minutes off the bench in Friday’s loss to the Lakers, Landale received the starting nod on Sunday, replacing Christian Koloko. The 30-year-old center responded with his fourth double-double of the season. However, while Landale put up a solid effort on Sunday, his production still isn’t at the point where he has to be streamed, especially with Santi Aldama still available in more than half of Yahoo! leagues. As for Koloko, he played 13 minutes on Sunday, finishing with six points, two rebounds and two steals.