Wolves put improved defense up against fading Hawks

While the team is on a downward slide, a bright spot for the Atlanta Hawks has been the ascension of Onyeka Okongwu.

After losing seven consecutive games, and 11 of their last 13, the Hawks return home on Wednesday to play the Minnesota Timberwolves, who have won 11 of their last 15.

Okongwu, an undersized center at 6-foot-10 and 240 pounds, has ramped up his game in the absence of 7-2 Kristaps Porzingis, the team's big offseason acquisition who has missed the last 10 games with an illness.

Okongwu has filled in admirably. With Porzingis out, Okongwu is averaging 17.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.1 block in an average of 34.9 minutes.

The 10-game stretch includes five games with at least 20 points and three double-doubles, including 31 points and 14 rebounds against the Knicks on Saturday. He had 26 points and 14 rebounds in Monday's 140-129 loss at Oklahoma City.

"He's a great teammate," Atlanta coach Quin Snyder said. "The things that he's sacrificed over the course of the season, and having the understanding that the team is his priority, guys get rewarded for that.

"The way he battles every night. He's gotten more and more confident and more aggressive in shooting the ball and that's opening up other things for him."

Help could be on the way for Okongwu. Porzingis had his status upgraded to day-to-day and is expected to play soon, possibly as early as Wednesday. He has been diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), an incurable but manageable condition that causes increased heart rate, dizziness and fatigue.

The Hawks were also without leading scorer Jalen Johnson (illness) and Trae Young (bruised right quad) against the Thunder. Their status for Wednesday is uncertain.

Without Johnson or Young, the Hawks turned again to Nickeil Alexander-Walker and he responded with 30 points for his fifth 30-plus point effort of the season.

The Timberwolves broke a two-game losing streak on Monday with a 136-101 victory over the Chicago Bulls. It was the second time they allowed 101 or less since Nov. 19 and both have come in the past five games.

"We talked a lot about helping each other more on defense," Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. "We go through phases where we do it really well and phases where we're more reluctant."

The Timberwolves also committed a season-low five turnovers against the Bulls, 9.2 fewer than their season average.

"That's key. We talked a lot about being a better passing team and avoid playing in the crowds," Finch said. "Sometimes we've had a habit of making plays just a beat late and that's led to turnovers and missed shot opportunities."

The Timberwolves are led by local Georgia product Anthony Edwards (29.1 points) and veteran Julius Randle (22.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists). Naz Reid, who averages 14.3 off the bench, scored a season-high 33 points against Chicago. He led the Timberwolves with 23 points in the last meeting with Atlanta.

This is the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The teams split last year, but Atlanta has won two straight on its home court.