Atlanta Hawks to Honor the Legacy of Dikembe Mutombo on Nov. 25

The Atlanta Hawks have announced plans to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Hawks legend and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall-of-Famer Dikembe Mutombo, who passed away on September 30, 2024. The tribute will take place during the Hawks’ game against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, November 25, presented by Kaiser Permanente. The evening will also mark the debut of the team’s Fly City Edition Uniform 2.0 and the addition of a special court decal honoring Mutombo.

Mutombo, whose No. 55 jersey was retired by the Hawks in 2015, was renowned for his defensive prowess and his humanitarian contributions. As a tribute to the basketball legend, Hawks players will wear custom shooting shirts during pregame warmups. The game will also feature Mutombo’s iconic “No, No, No” finger wag taunt as players celebrate blocked shots. The crowd will hear the audio of his signature phrase each time a Hawks player blocks a shot, celebrating Mutombo’s enduring impact on the franchise.

At halftime, a retrospective video will be shown on the arena’s scoreboard, highlighting Mutombo’s legendary career and profound off-court contributions. The Hawks will also honor the Mutombo family during the evening’s events.

The Mutombo family expressed their gratitude to the Hawks organization:

“Your tribute to Dikembe’s incredible basketball career with the Hawks, and his humanitarian work both in Atlanta and globally, means the world to us. Dikembe had a special bond with the Hawks and his devoted fans. Thank you for making his time in Atlanta truly special and memorable. Dikembe once said, ‘Our legacy in life is about the race and this race is not finished, we just have to pass the torch.’”

Mutombo’s legacy extends far beyond basketball. He dedicated his life to humanitarian work, particularly in health care and education, through the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation. One of his most significant achievements was the construction of a state-of-the-art hospital in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has provided critical care to thousands.

During his time with the Hawks from 1996-2001, Mutombo appeared in 343 games, averaging 11.9 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game. He remains the franchise leader in blocks per game and ranks third in total blocks (1,094). Notably, he set a team record for the most defensive rebounds in a season with 853 during the 1999-2000 season and is one of just six Hawks players to average a double-double across 300 or more games.

A four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time NBA All-Star, Mutombo is also one of only three Hawks players to achieve a point/rebound/block triple-double. With 3,289 career blocks, he ranks second all-time in NBA history, cementing his reputation as one of the league’s greatest defenders.

Steve Koonin, CEO of the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, reflected on the significance of this tribute:

“While we are deeply saddened by the passing of Dikembe Mutombo, we are honored to use our Nov. 25th game as a platform to honor Dikembe. The Hawks family is committed to preserving his legacy and celebrating the impact he made both on and off the court, a true testament to his character and sportsmanship.”

Fans are encouraged to donate to the Dikembe Mutombo Memorial Fund to support the causes that Mutombo championed throughout his life. His legacy of excellence, both on the court and in his humanitarian efforts, will continue to inspire future generations.