In addition to keeping pressure off his injured ankle for the next week, John Collins has been challenged to stay in the game mentally as the Atlanta Hawks open their season Wednesday against the New York Knicks.
Collins, the Hawks’ first-round pick out of Wake Forest in 2017, underwent an MRI that revealed mild inflammation and soreness in his left ankle on Oct. 2. He had a non-surgical procedure on the ankle on Oct. 8 and will be re-evaluated on Oct. 22 after the Hawks’ first three games.
The second-year forward/center said he suffered the injury before exiting the Hawks’ preseason opener against New Orleans in the third quarter, but attempted to play through the discomfort. Collins played only 20 minutes against the Pelicans before deciding to bring his injury to the attention of the Hawks training staff.
Since the MRI and non-surgical procedure, Collins has been keeping unnecessary weight off his left ankle and has been able to lift and do some cardio while he’s recovering.
While not participating in practice, Collins was seen on the court with a ball in hand alongside teammates near the end of Monday’s practice. After Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce spoke to media, he walked over to Collins and engaged in an animated conversation, encouraging Collins to focus on dissecting the team’s first few opponents even though he won’t be playing.
“(Pierce) really wants me to lock in on the mental side, that’s what we were just talking about over there,” Collins said. “He wants me to lock in on the place, the defense of stats or whatever the opposing teams tendencies are coming into the game. (I need to be) mentally prepared, even though I’m not all the way physically ready yet.”
Named to the NBA All-Rookie second team last season, Collins proved he can lock into the game physically as a second-year player during the only 20 minutes he played this preseason when he scored a team-high of 16 points in the first half against the Pelicans. Collins said he entered the game with fresh energy he didn’t have last year and it rubbed off on his teammates in the 116-102 win.
“It feels way different,” Collins said of his second season. “Because you’ve done the exact same thing you’re going to do before 82 times or how many ever games I’ve played in last year. It’s just the confidence factor for me to go out there and do something I know I’ve done many times.”
As a rookie, Collins played in 74 games, starting 26, and averaged 10.5 points and 7.3 rebounds in 24.1 minutes. Collins also shot 57.6 percent from the field and 34 percent beyond the arc.
MORE HAWKS NEWS AND NOTES
» Hawks announced Monday the team would pick up options on Collins, DeAndre Bembry and Taurean Price’s rookie contracts.
» Kent Bazemore was absent from practice Monday as he was home sick, but was expected to travel with the team to New York Tuesday.
» Center Dewyane Dedmon, who is recovering from a left ankle fracture, had his first practice back with the team Monday and was seen shooting alongside Miles Plumlee and Alex Len in the open portion of practice.
Pierce said while Dedmon “tried to go though as much as he could” of Monday’s practice, the real test will be if there is any soreness or swelling Tuesday before the Hawks board their flight to New York.
“It’s tough when you’re dealing with an ankle or knee injury and are just coming back because the day after in terms of recovery, you have to worry about swelling and we’re getting on a plane tomorrow, so we don’t want to further aggravate it if there’s any concern,” Pierce said. “We’ll know a lot more about Dewayne when he wakes up tomorrow.”
» Pierce also provided an update on guards Justin Anderson (left tibial stress syndrome) and Daniel Hamilton (right rotator cuff tear), saying the guards are involved in the Hawks training and game preparation, but are not involved in contact-related activities. Pierce said Hamilton has built up his pain tolerance and strength with his shoulder during the rehab process.
Pierce said Anderson is a little further along, but will still be re-evaluated in “two to three weeks.”
About the Author
