Collins will start Sunday's preseason game against the Nuggets, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.
Collins will enter the starting lineup due to Bogdan Bogdanovic (back) being out of the lineup. Collins played well in the team's exhibition game against the Guangzhou Loong-Lions on Thursday, logging 15 points, four rebounds and a steal in 17 minutes.
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Clippers' John Collins: Thrives off bench
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Collins logged 15 points (6-8 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and one steal across 17 minutes of Thursday's 142-95 preseason win over the Guangzhou Loong-Lions.
Collins came off the bench Thursday behind Derrick Jones, but the Clippers are still experimenting with lineups. In fact, head coach Tyronn Lue said Collins will get a chance in the starting lineup Sunday against Denver. If Thursday was any indication, Collins looks rejuvenated to be playing with a contender after a messy season in Utah.
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Clippers' John Collins: Opening preseason in bench role
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Collins will come off the bench for Thursday's preseason game against the Guangzhou Loong Lions, Joey Linn of SI.com reports.
The Clippers haven't revealed much about what Collins' role will look like heading into the 2025-26 regular season, so this is one of the team's first indications of what to expect. However, head coach Tyronn Lue stated before Thursday's exhibition that Collins would enter the starting lineup for Sunday's matchup, per independent NBA writer Justin Russo, so he's sure to get his opportunities to prove he belongs with the first unit as the preseason unfolds.
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Clippers' John Collins: Coach Lue non-committal on role
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Clippers coach Tyronn Lue told reporters he "can't remember" if Collins will start at power forward, per Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com.
Coach Lue confirmed Bradley Beal will start in the backcourt alongside James Harden but was less forthcoming regarding the forward slots. Collins is, in theory, battling against Derrick Jones for a starting role. Either way, Collins should be a sizable part of Lue's game plan, presumably seeing minutes in the mid-20s at the lowest.
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Clippers' John Collins: Traded to LAC
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The Jazz traded Collins (ankle) to the Clippers on Monday in a three-team deal that sent Norman Powell to Miami, while Utah received Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson and a 2027 second-round pick, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
After appearing in only 40 regular-season games in 2024-25, Collins exercised his $26.58 million player option for 2025-26. Given the current trajectory in Utah, it was only a matter of time before Collins' expiring contract was moved. The veteran's fit in Los Angeles remains unclear, but whether he's starting in the frontcourt with Kawhi Leonard or operating in a sixth-man role, Collins should be a key piece for the Clippers next season.
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Jazz's John Collins: Exercises 2025-26 player option
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Collins (ankle) exercised his $26.58 million player option for the 2025-26 season Wednesday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
Back and ankle injuries limited Collins down the stretch of the 2024-25 season, as the Jazz had no reason to rush him back onto the court amid a league-worst 17-65 record. He ended up appearing in just 40 regular-season games, averaging an efficient 18.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in 30.5 minutes. The 27-year-old is now on an expiring contract, so don't be surprised if the front office looks to shop him at some point. In the meantime, he projects as the Jazz's starting power forward ahead of Taylor Hendricks (leg) and Kyle Filipowski.
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Jazz's John Collins: Out for season finale
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Collins (ankle) is out for Sunday's game against the Timberwolves.
Collins will end the season on the sidelines since this will be the 16th straight game he'll miss. The veteran forward ends the campaign with averages of 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game across 40 appearances (31 starts).
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Jazz's John Collins: Won't play against OKC
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Collins (ankle) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Thunder.
Collins will miss a 15th straight game Friday due to a sprained left ankle, and there's a chance he's played his last game of the season for Utah. The last opportunity for the veteran big man to return to the floor will be Sunday against the Timberwolves.
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Jazz's John Collins: Re-evaluated in one week
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The Jazz announced Wednesday that Collins (ankle) will be re-evaluated in one week, Ben Anderson of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.
Collins has been cleared to ramp up his on-court work, but this timetable has him being re-evaluated just prior to the final two games of the season. Based on how Utah has operated since the All-Star Break, it seems unlikely that Collins will suit up for those. If he's done for the season, he'll finish with averages of 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.5 three-pointers.
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Jazz's John Collins: Not playing Friday
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Collins is out for Friday's game against the Raptors due to a left ankle sprain.
Collins provided 28 points (12-30 FG, 2-11 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals over 34 minutes during Monday's 114-108 loss to Boston, and the veteran forward will be sidelined for this clash. It remains to be seen if he'll be avaliable for the upcoming back-to-back set against the Timberwolves and Bulls on Sunday and Monday, respectively.
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Jazz's John Collins: Carries Utah on offense
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Collins provided 28 points (12-30 FG, 2-11 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals over 34 minutes during Monday's 114-108 loss to Boston.
The Jazz turned out to be more competitive than expected in this tight loss to Boston, and Collins had a strong showing as a scoring weapon even if he needed 30 shots to score 28 points. The veteran forward, who was returning to the lineup following a five-game absence due to a back injury, should be one of Utah's go-to players on offense going forward, although given the Jazz's recent resting patterns, it's unclear if he'll be available regularly. It wouldn't be surprising if he sits Wednesday's game against Memphis due to injury management.
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Jazz's John Collins: Cleared to return Monday
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Collins (back) is available for Monday's game against the Celtics.
Collins has missed eight of the Jazz's last nine games due to low back injury management, but the veteran forward has been cleared to play Monday. He has played in just 12 games since the beginning of January, and over those outings he has averaged 20.7 points on 54.8 percent shooting, 8.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.5 blocks over 31.5 minutes per game.
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Jazz's John Collins: Remaining out for Sunday
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Collins (back) won't play in Sunday's game versus the 76ers.
Collins' absence streak will extend to five games Sunday due to lower back injury management. KJ Martin will likely continue to start in his absence. Collins' next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with Boston.
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Jazz's John Collins: Ruled out against Toronto
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Collins (back) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Raptors, Ben Anderson of KSL News Salt Lake City reports.
Collins will miss a fourth straight game while dealing with a back issue. KJ Martin, Brice Sensabaugh and Kyle Filipowski will likely see more time on the floor in Toronto.
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Jazz's John Collins: Not playing Wednesday vs. Wiz
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Collins (back) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Wizards, Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Collins is set to be out of action for the sixth time in seven games due to lower back injury management, and his next chance to see the floor is Friday against the Raptors. The Jazz will be shorthanded Wednesday due to the absences of Collins, Walker Kessler (rest), Lauri Markkanen (back), Jordan Clarkson (foot) and Collin Sexton (ankle). Expect the likes of KJ Martin, Brice Sensabaugh, Kyle Filipowski, Cody Williams, Johnny Juzang and others to see a heavy workload against Washington.
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Jazz's John Collins: Not playing Monday vs. Detroit
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Collins (back) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Pistons.
Collins will be sidelined for the fourth time in five games due to lower back injury management, and how he responds to the injury over the next couple of days will determine whether he'll be given the green light to play against the Wizards on Wednesday. KJ Martin and Brice Sensabaugh are candidates to enter the Jazz's starting lineup for Monday's game due to Collins' absence.
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Jazz's John Collins: Unlikely to play Monday
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Collins (back) is doubtful for Monday's game against the Pistons.
Collins made his return from a three-game absence Friday, posting 29 points (12-18 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and one block in 27 minutes during a win over Minnesota, but he was back in street clothes Sunday and will likely miss the second half of Utah's back-to-back set as well. With Lauri Markkanen (back) already out, KJ Martin, Kyle Filipowski and Brice Sensabaugh are candidates for increased roles again, though Utah is expected to have Walker Kessler (rest) available Monday.
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Jazz's John Collins: Won't play Sunday
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Collins has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Pelicans due to low back injury management.
Collins made his return from a three-game absence Friday, posting 29 points (12-18 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and one block over 27 minutes. However, he'll be back in street clothes for the first half of a back-to-back set. With Lauri Markkanen (back/rest) also out, KJ Martin, Kyle Filipowski and Brice Sensabaugh are all candidates for increased roles.
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Jazz's John Collins: Game-high 29 points Friday
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Collins (back) accumulated 29 points (12-18 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT), 12 rebounds, one assist and one block over 27 minutes during Friday's 117-116 win over Minnesota.
Collins made his return from a three-game absence due to lower-back soreness and turned in a big performance, even though an unspecified injury forced him to check out of the game at one point in the second half. Like many of Utah's key players, Collins will be at risk of missing games due to minor injuries over the final month and change of the season while the non-contending Jazz play out the string. When available, however, Collins looks like he'll remain a must-start player in fantasy lineups.
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Jazz's John Collins: Returns to Friday's game
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Collins (undisclosed) returned to the court to begin the fourth quarter of Friday's game against Minnesota.
Collins checked out of the game with 6:33 remaining in the third quarter after he appeared to suffer an injury, but he looks like he'll be good to go moving forward.
