Zach Collins undergoing season-ending ankle surgery

The Portland Trail Blazers didn’t receive good news on the injury front

The Portland Trail Blazers didn’t have a great Thursday. They not only got blown out in Game 2 by the Los Angeles Lakers, but also suffered an injury scare by star guard Damian Lillard. Although Lillard is good to go for the remainder of the series, one player in the Blazers’ lineup will not return to the Walt Disney World gymnasium.

On Friday, ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Portland forward Zach Collins needs to undergo ankle surgery, which will effectively end his 2019-20 season. Two days prior, Collins was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left ankle, where he was deemed week-to-week.

Collins never stepped on the court for the Lakers series

Even with Portland going on an improbable run to the NBA Playoffs, Collins was never able to make it on the court to face off against the Lakers. The power forward left the Trail Blazers’ play-in game against the Memphis Grizzlies with said injury.

The 2019-20 season hasn’t been too kind for Collins, as he only managed to play in 11 games. Earlier on in the campaign, Collins had to go under the knife to repair a labrum in his left shoulder, sidelining him for four months. He was able to return for Portland’s playoff push due to the coronavirus pandemic pausing the NBA season back in March.

This season, Collins has averaged 7.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists, while shooting 47.1-percent from the field and 36.8-percent from the three-point line.

The Trail Blazers were already expecting Collins to miss Games 2-4 in their first-round slate against the Lakers, but it certainly has to sting knowing he’s sidelined for the remainder of their playoff run. Portland hopes to get back on track with a statement win in Game 3.