John Collins returns but Hawks fall to the Pacers

Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis (left) fouls Hawks forward John Collins as he attempts to shoot. (AP Photo/R Brent Smith)

Credit: R Brent Smith

Credit: R Brent Smith

Indiana Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis (left) fouls Hawks forward John Collins as he attempts to shoot. (AP Photo/R Brent Smith)

Forward John Collins played for the Hawks for the first time this season and scored 12 in 12 minutes but Atlanta lost to the Pacers 97-89 in Indianapolis Saturday night.

Collins had been out all season due to suffering left ankle soreness during the preseason.

Collins appeared in 74 games as a rookie last season and averaged 10.5 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

The Hawks have lost seven straight.

Jeremy Lin led the Hawks with 16 points and Kent Bazemore had 13 points, five rebounds and four steals.

The Pacers used an 11-0 run to take the lead for good late in the third quarter.

Bojan Bogdanovic scored 22 to lead Indiana.

Rookie Trae Young, who was 3 of 11 from the field, scored nine points. He was 0 for 5 on 3-pointers.

Dewayne Dedmon also returned to the Hawks’ lineup. The center missed the past three games because of the birth of his son. He scored 12 and had eight rebounds.

Taurean Prince missed his second consecutive game because of right Achilles pain.

The Hawks are 3-13, 1-9 on the road. They host the Clippers Monday night at 7:30.