PORTLAND, OREGON – FEBRUARY 11: Zach Collins #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on before their game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Moda Center on February 11, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
Portland Trail Blazers forward Zach Collins underwent a second surgery on his left ankle on Tuesday and is out indefinitely.
The Portland Trail Blazers announced Tuesday that forward Zach Collins has re-injured the stress fracture in his ankle and will be out indefinitely.
The team sent well wishes to Collins, who had the surgery in New York, via their Twitter account.
Collins last played on Aug. 13, 2020 in the NBA bubble in Orlando. The former Gonzaga star underwent previous surgeries on his ankle on Sept. 1, 2020, and Dec. 30, 2020.
Blazers forward Zach Collins out indefinitely
Collins has appeared in 154 regular-season games for Portland, averaging 5.7 points and 4.0 rebounds per game throughout his young career. The Henderson, Nevada native is still just 23 years old and is a free agent this summer. Given he played just 11 games in the 2019-20 season and missed last year entirely, who knows what his current value is? Three surgeries in less than a year is not a good sign.
It’s been a day for Blazers general manager Neil Olshey. He’s taking criticism over a botched press conference announcing the controversial hiring of new head coach Chauncey Billups. Having to announce that your 2017 first-round draft pick — who’s been out for an entire season already — suffered a re-injury doesn’t help, even if you might let him walk in free agency.