Atlanta Hawks Suffer Key Injury as Start of the Season Nears

The Atlanta Hawks suffered a key injury before the season has even begun. John Collins will miss at least the first three games of the season. A blow hurting a team without great depth at power forward.

John Collins was a bright spot on a very bad Atlanta Hawks roster last season. He finished last season averaging 10.5 points per game, along with 7.3 rebounds, and shooting better than 30 percent from three-point range.

A perfect big-man for a Hawks team transitioning to a D-and-Three team. Without Collins, it seems likely rookie Omari Spellman will see time in the starting lineup.

Collins is missing time with ankle issues, a concerning injury for a big man who has to consistently go toe-to-toe with centers.

For the Hawks, losing Collins likely takes away their chances of early season wins considering how important he is to their team. Without Collins, all the pressure is going to be squarely on Trae Young and Taurean Prince to lead the offense.

Defensively Spellman and Alex Len will be able to replace Collins. Len offers better size and appears to be easily the best center on the roster. Spellman isn’t the quickest defender but has good hands and an impressive ability to keep the ball in front of him.

Collin’s injury does little to impact the Hawk’s season overall. They are again expected to be the doormat of the Eastern Conference, losing one player cannot possibly make them any worse when they are already expected to be at the bottom.

Atlanta, however, is well aware young rosters can surprise and impress as the Braves did this season and the Falcons did two seasons ago.

The Hawks will benefit from a better bench having added Jeremy Lin and Vince Carter both big upgrades over last season. Lin is a very good borderline starting point guard when he is able to stay healthy.

Collins is expected to be reevaluated after the first three games this season. More to come as news on the injury continues to develop.