The Portland Trail Blazers are one more starter down, losing strength ahead of Zach Collins after season-ending surgery on his left ankle, the team announced Friday.
Collins has a hairline medial malleolus stress fracture, according to the team, and a date for surgery has not yet been set.
Collins averaged seven points and 6.3 rebounds in 11 games this season.
He had missed most of the 2019-20 season due to left shoulder surgery, but he returned for the restart of the league in Orlando and helped the Blazers reach the playoffs of the Western Conference with a play-in victory about the Memphis Grizzlies.
Collins leaves the Blazers – who are tied 1-1 in an opening round playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers – more vulnerable up front against LA’s size and skill.
Portland lost to Rodney Hood after a season-ending Achilles injury and ahead of Trevor Ariza to a recurring opt-out for family-friendly, and has been without a first-round pick Nassir Little in the playoffs.
.
