Zach Collins has played well for Portland when he’s healthy enough to be on the court — which will not be until January.
Collins left the bubble — in the middle of the play-in game against Memphis — and ultimately needed surgery on a hairline medial malleolus stress fracture of his left ankle. That is going to sideline him until mid-to-late January. From Trail Blazers reporter Casey Holdahl.
Zach Collins, who underwent surgery on his left ankle in September, on the court going through a light workout. Half speed, but doing some jumping, looks comfortable. Team hopes he'll be back some time in mid-late January.
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) December 12, 2020
Collins has just not been able to stay healthy. He required surgery for a separated shoulder just three games into last season. He returned for the bubble restart in Orlando and started every seeding game for Portland, averaging 6.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists a night. Collins Brings needed size, athleticism, and shooting from a big Portland uses to space the floor.
If Portland is going to make the kind of playoff run Damian Lillard wants to see, it will need a healthy Collins. Starting hopefully in January.
