Jazz big man John Collins has been on the right side of dunks for most of his NBA career. On Monday he found himself on the wrong end of an unforgettable dunk.
Midway through the third quarter of Utah’s loss to Minnesota on March 18, Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards took off from the dotted line to make a powerful jumper over Collins. The force of the dunk caused Edwards to dislocate his finger while the contact sent Collins to the ground holding his head.
collins left the game to be evaluated for a concussion and did not return.
What’s the latest on Collins’ injury? Here’s what Jazz has shared about the great man’s status.
What is John Collins’ injury?
Collins’ injury was considered a head contusion, according to The farces of Athletic Charania.
While it happened quickly, it appears that Collins suffered the injury when Edwards rose to perform the dunk. After Edwards takes off, his left arm appears to hit Collins in the head.
A courtside angle of the dunk illustrates the contact.
LOOK AT THIS ANGLE ?
(via gavmastagram/IG) pic.twitter.com/Hyv8GGsqn7
– Overtime (@overtime) March 19, 2024
After the game, Jazz head coach Will Hardy. told reporters Collins had a cut under his eye from the contact.
While Charania reported that Collins did not suffer a concussion, Hardy said, “I don’t know if the concussion protocol is happening. I haven’t had the final say on it, but in my opinion, it seemed a little off.”
How long will John Collins be out?
Collins’ future availability will largely depend on concussion testing. While he reportedly cleared concussion protocol the night of the injury, he could still end up in the protocol if he is re-evaluated.
There are examples of NBA players who initially cleared the concussion protocol before being placed in it, with 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey being the most recent example.
Depending on Collins’ symptoms, he could be re-evaluated before Utah’s next game at Oklahoma City on March 20.
What is the NBA concussion protocol?
This is what NBA concussion policy state:
Understanding that concussions are diverse injuries that can have significant long-term consequences, the NBA Concussion Policy is designed to maximize the health and safety of NBA players by providing an education and clinical management framework. that better reflects current scientific understanding of the injury. Previous history of concussions, genetic predisposition, history of learning disorders, ADHD, migraines, and mood disorders, among other things, have been suggested to affect the risk of suffering a concussion or having a longer or more complicated course. Therefore, the policy was created under the fundamental principle that every concussion and every athlete is unique.
Utah Jazz Schedule
Utah has 14 games remaining in the 2023-24 regular season. Here’s a look at their next five games:
| Date | Adversary | Time (ET) | television channel |
| March 20 | in thunder | 8 p.m. | — |
| March 21st | in Mavericks | 8:30 pm | — |
| 23 of March | in rockets | 8 p.m. | — |
| March 25th | against Mavericks | 9 p.m. | — |
| March 27th | against spurs | 9 p.m. | — |
