Collins posted 16 points (6-10 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, two assists and two steals across 24 minutes during Wednesday's 113-104 loss to the Lakers.
Collins' play this season has been full of peaks and valleys, but he's on a three-game streak of double-digit scoring, averaging 14.7 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 23.3 minutes during this stretch. With the assumption that the Spurs trade starting center Jakob Poeltl before the deadline, Collins could see an expanded role down the stretch. However, it's a bit concerning that his shot blocking has faded. The big man has just one total swat in his past 11 games. Previously, he was averaging 0.9 per contest.
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Provides spark off bench
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Collins finished with 17 points (7-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four assists and two rebounds in 24 minutes in Friday's 131-126 win over the Clippers.
Though the Spurs have been competitive in their last two games, starting center Jakob Poeltl has still split minutes with Collins, who also logged 24 minutes in Tuesday's 106-98 loss to the Nets. It's unclear if head coach Gregg Popovich plans to have the two big men split the minutes equitably moving forward, but Collins could make sense as a cursory pickup in deeper leagues just in case the trend persists. Per 24 minutes, Collins is averaging 11.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 0.9 blocks while shooting 54.2 percent from the field.
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Back in bench role
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Collins isn't starting Monday's game against the Grizzlies, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Collins drew a spot start Saturday against the Celtics, and he made the most of his opportunity by racking up 18 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in 34 minutes. However, he'll return to his usual bench role with Jakob Poeltl back from an Achilles injury.
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Big double-double Saturday
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Collins recorded 18 points (8-13 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 12 rebounds and five assists in 34 minutes during Saturday's 121-116 loss to Boston.
Collins moved into the starting lineup, replacing Jakob Poeltl, who was ruled out due to an Achilles issue. Despite falling short when starting earlier in the season, Collins came through with the goods in this one. However, he failed to put up anything on the defensive end, somewhat souring a strong night for the backup center. Should Poeltl be forced to miss additional time, Collins would make for a sneaky pickup across all formats.
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Starting for injured Poeltl
Rotowire
Collins will start Saturday's matchup against the Celtics, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.
With Jakob Poeltl (Achilles) out, Collins gets his seventh start of the season. In his previous six nods, he's averaged 9.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 25.2 minutes.
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Scores 11 points off bench
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Collins ended Tuesday's 130-114 loss to the Thunder with 11 points (4-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds and one block over 19 minutes.
Collins got off to a hot start Tuesday by putting up six points on 3-for-3 from the field over six first-quarter minutes. He continues to put up a decent month of December as the backup center and is now averaging 9.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 23.0 minutes (11 games).
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Excellent game off bench
Rotowire
Collins recorded 13 points (4-5 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks over 24 minutes during Saturday's 111-101 loss to Miami.
With Jakob Poeltl (knee) returning to action on a minutes limit, Collins ended up seeing a healthy amount of playing time despite moving to the bench following a six-game run as a starter. Collins was efficient from the field and delivered some solid across-the-board production, but expect his minutes to tail off a bit once Poeltl gets fully ramped up in the next game or two. Prior to Poeltl's absence, Collins was averaging 18.0 minutes per contest.
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Good to go
Rotowire
Collins (ankle) is off the Spurs' injury report ahead of Saturday's game against the Heat, Ty Jager of PoundingTheRock.com reports.
Collins had started six consecutive games in place of Jakob Poeltl (ankle) before going down with an ankle injury. The latter is listed as probable, so Collins will presumably play a reserve role in his return from a one-game absence due to an ankle injury.
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Officially probable
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Collins (ankle) is likely to play in Saturday's game against the Heat, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.
Collins enjoyed six consecutive starts in the place of Jakob Poeltl (knee) before missing San Antonio's last game due to a left ankle sprain. Although Collins is slated to play Saturday, he will likely slide back to the bench, with Poeltl also expected to return.
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Practices Friday
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Collins (ankle) took part in practice Friday, Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Collins could not take the floor during Wednesday's game versus the Heat, but his participation in practice Friday bodes well for his chances of suiting up Saturday. However, Jakob Poeltl (knee) reportedly also made the trip and participated in some shooting drills Friday, so Collins' fantasy potential could be tied to Poeltl's status.
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Officially out Wednesday
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Collins (ankle) will not play in Wednesday's game versus the Trail Blazers, Ty Jager of PoundingTheRock.com reports.
Collins grabbed a doubtful designation on the initial injury report due to a left ankle sprain, but the team has officially ruled out any chance he has of taking the floor Wednesday evening. With Jakob Poeltl (knee) also already sidelined, Charles Bassey and Gorgui Dieng could see ample time at center. Collins' next opportunity to suit up arrives Saturday against the Heat.
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Unlikely to play Wednesday
Rotowire
Collins is considered doubtful for Thursday's game versus the Trail Blazers due to a left ankle sprain.
Collins' absence Wednesday would leave the Spurs extremely shorthanded in the frontcourt with Jakob Poeltl (knee) also sidelined. If Collins can't go, as expected, Charles Bassey and Gorgui Dieng could line up for additional action at center.
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Picks up head injury
Rotowire
Collins picked up a head injury but has returned to the bench Thursday against the Rockets, Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Collins picked up a head injury and was forced to head to the locker room for an evaluation. The center returned quickly thereafter and was seen on the Spurs' bench. Expect Gorgui Dieng to see extended minutes if Collins can't return.
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Starting for injured Poeltl
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Collins will start Wednesday's game against the Thunder, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
With Jakob Poeltl expected (knee) to miss a week, Collins enters the starting five for the first time this season. He's been strong this season in a backup role, and his per-36-minute numbers translate to an impressive 16.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 2.5 blocks and 1.4 steals. Charles Bassey and Gorgui Dieng should also benefit from Poeltl being sidelined.
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Ejected from Saturday's game
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Collins got ejected from Saturday's game against the Lakers after being charged with a flagrant 2, Tom Osborn of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
The bad news continues for a Spurs team that is getting more and more depleted in the frontcourt, as Jakob Poeltl and Jeremy Sochan already departed the game in the first half due to quad injuries. Collins was ejected for a blow to Russell Westbrook's forehead that made the point guard bleed, and the referees upgraded the original foul to a flagrant 2 and an automatic ejection. Collins ends the game with 12 points (4-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, two blocks and two assists across 19 minutes, and this means Isaiah Roby and perhaps Gorgui Dieng will be in line for more minutes unless the Spurs decide to play small the rest of the way.
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Returns from injury
Rotowire
Collins (lower leg) totaled four points (2-6 FG, 0-3 3Pt), seven rebounds, one block and one steal over 21 minutes during Friday's 105-94 loss to the Lakers.
Collins saw the court for the first time in three weeks, and while he didn't do much on the offensive end, his defensive stats were usual enough. In his 10 games played this season, the backup big man is averaging 7.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks in 18.0 minutes.
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Available Friday
Rotowire
Collins (lower leg) is available for Friday's game against the Lakers, Jeff Garcia of KENS 5 San Antonio reports.
Collins is returning on the earlier end of his timetable after suffering a non-displaced fracture of his left fibula in early November. He'll presumably be eased into action, but he's in the midst of a nice season, with averages of 8.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 blocks in 17.7 minutes. Collins' return will likely result in Charles Bassey's minutes getting brought back down.
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Questionable Friday
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Collins (lower leg) is questionable for Friday's game against the Lakers, Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com reports.
Collins hasn't played since Nov. 4 but is nearing a return. He'll presumably be on a minutes limit if available.
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Downgraded to out
Rotowire
Collins (lower leg) won't play in Wednesday's game versus the Pelicans, Bruno Passos of PoundingTheRock.com reports.
Collins was expected to return for Wednesday's game after missing the past nine games but has now been ruled out due to a fibula head fracture. Collins' next opportunity to play will be Friday's game against the Lakers.
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Spurs' Zach Collins: Will miss two-to-four weeks
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An MRI on Tuesday revealed that Collins suffered a non-displaced fracture on his fibula that will keep him sidelined for two-to-four weeks, Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Collins' injury was originally considered a lower leg contusion, but Tuesday's MRI revealed it is more serious. The 2017 first-round pick has averaged 8.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 blocks in 17.7 minutes across the nine games this season. In Collins' absence, Gorgui Dieng, Isaiah Roby and Keita Bates-Diop are all candidates for extended minutes in the frontcourt.
