Atlanta Hawks got away with the win over the Boston Celtics to get their fourth straight but Onyeka Okongwu lost some after his teeth got knocked and left bleeding after a dangerous collision with Jaylen Brown.
The incident occurred in the six-minute mark of the fourth quarter when Hawks were up by 15 points against their hosts. Brown tried to make a move from the posts but he hit Okongwu with his wayward elbow, causing the Hawks center to drop and in the next scene, he was seen bleeding with some of his teeth in disarray.
Still thinking about how Jaylen Brown’s elbow *DESTROYED* Onyeka Okongwu right side of his mouth
Not a pretty sight to see 💀 pic.twitter.com/4oNJHIINJ1
— CourtSideHeat (@CourtSideHeat) January 29, 2026
MVP frontrunner Brown was called for a flagrant foul and the 2020 6th overall pick stayed to take the two free throws, making 1 out of 2. He eventually left for the locker room and did not return. He finished with an all around game of 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block and the Hawks with a convincing win.
He was in good spirits after the game that he even got the energy to post his injury.
Onyeka Okongwu posted a photo of his injury on his Instagram.
“Good winssss birdsss 🦅” pic.twitter.com/hWsK2etFyM
— JJ (@JameelahJNBA) January 29, 2026
JB apologizes to Onyeka Okongwu
Okongwu’s injury is one of the most gruesome seen on court and Brown knows that.
The Celtics star apologized to the Hawks center post-game and hope that he will recover from it.
“I know from my own experiences with a fractured face and chipped teeth that shit is a hassle,” he said.
“So, wasn’t intentional. I know it’s gonna be a long day at the dentist. Hopefully he has a good recovery.”
Hawks coach Quinn Snyder is confident that his player will be back.
I asked Quin Snyder about Onyeka Okongwu. He said: “It’s a good thing that dentistry as a profession is, I don’t know what he’s gonna need, but he’s, pretty banged up. He took quite a shot. I told him, he’s still handsome, but it’s a good thing that people can repair his teeth.”
— Lauren L. Williams (@WilliamsLaurenL) January 29, 2026
For the latest Basketball Content
Make sure you are always updated on your favorite basketball players and teams. Follow us @HardwoodHeroics for the latest and trending news about NBA, college basketball, and more. Stay updated by reading more of our NBA articles by clicking here and college basketball by clicking here!
