The Hawks’ season hasn’t quite lived up to expectations, and it’s just become worse. John Collins will be sidelined indefinitely with a plantar fascia tear in his right foot and an injury to his right ring finger, The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Chris Kirschner report.
Collins “has been playing through pain” for the last several weeks, Charania added, but hasn’t played since a March 11th win over the Clippers. He was initially sidelined with the foot injury from February 13th through March 3rd. After returning to the lineup on March 4th against the Wizards, Collins injured his finger three days later against the Pistons.
Last weekend, Collins said that it had been difficult to play basketball due to the finger injury and that his foot injury had prevented him from leaping off his right side, per Kirschner.
After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the Hawks have ultimately underperformed this year. With a 34-35 record, Atlanta currently sits as the 10th seed in the East. By Collins’ standards, he’s also underperformed—averaging 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 52.6% from the floor and 36.4% from beyond the arc in 54 games.
This just isn’t the Hawks’ season, and it’s clear this formula won’t work. I’d fully expect some significant roster changes this offseason. The only way Trae Young will bring a championship to Atlanta is with another top-15ish player, and Travis Schlenk has the resources to acquire the next disgruntled superstar.
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