The Hawks hope to have John Collins back from a left ankle sprain by the weekend, according to a person familiar with the situation. The rookie starting forward will miss tonight’s game at the Jazz and likely Wednesday’s game at the Kings, the first two contests on a five-game western road trip.
A lot will depend on how Collins’ ankle responded to the lengthy flight to Utah on Monday. The injury is not considered serious.
The Hawks play at the Warriors on Friday and at the Rockets on Sunday before ending the trip at the Timberwolves next Wednesday.
The news is good for the Hawks, who already have a lengthy list of injuries as the finish up the regular season.
Collins was injured in Saturday’s loss at the Bucks when he came down on the foot of Giannis Antetokounmpo while shooting a corner 3-pointer in the fourth quarter. Collins made all three free throws and then immediately left for the locker room. The Hawks announced he would not return. Antetokounmpo was assessed a Flagrant Foul 1 after video review of the game.
Collins is averaging 10.5 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 1.1 assists in 64 games, including16 starts. He would be the sixth player in franchise history to average at least 10.0 points and 7.0 rebounds as a rookie, joining Bob Pettit, Zelmo Beaty, John Drew, Al Horford and Mike Sojourner.
