Zags in the NBA: Collins Sidelined as Long as Four Months

Brandon Clarke - Memphis Grizzlies

11.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 1.7 BPG in 22.4 MPG (7 games)

Clarke recently got his first NBA start on November 4th but last night, he scored 18 points on 7-7 shooting and grabbed 8 rebounds off the bench. BC is looking like an early contender for the steal of the draft (alongside Eric Paschall).

Zach Collins - Portland Trail Blazers

9.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.0 APG in 28.7 MPG (3 games)

Unfortunately, Collins underwent surgery on his his left labrum and will be out four months. Portland seems to already miss his presence as the Trail Blazers recently lose to the Warriors, 127-118.

Rui Hachimura - Washington Wizards

12.6 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.3 APG in 27.6 MPG (7 games)

Rui has started his NBA career with a bang and has been looking explosive in transition, catching the attention of many NBA fans. He’s playing with a mature style and sometimes looks like a vet out there. I don’t think it’s too early to start the Rookie of the Year campaign for the 21 year-old.

Although, Rui did look rough against Sabonis and the Pacers last night. He was 0-5 from the field but did grab 8 rebounds. As a rookie, he will have some ugly games like that.

Zach Norvell Jr. - Los Angeles Lakers

0.0 PPG, 0.5 RPG in 2.5 MPG (2 games)

The two-way player is undergoing his first assignment with the G-League South Bay Lakers where he will be spending most of his time in his first professional season. At least he got a chance to snatch Jordan Poole’s ankles a couple of times before he got sent down.

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Kelly Olynyk - Miami Heat

6.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.0 SPG IN 20.1 MPG (7 games)

Kelly has offensive spurts for Erik Spoelstra where he hits multiple three-pointers and plays solid defense on the other end. He has become a really solid bench piece during his time with the Heat franchise.

Domantas Sabonis - Indiana Pacers

20.3 PPG (30th in NBA), 12.3 RPG (5TH in NBA), 54.4 FG% in 34.8 MPG (6 games)

The leftie Lithuanian came back from a calf injury and stuffed the stat sheet against Rui’s Wizards last night. Sabonis had 13 points, 17 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals. The last game before his injury he had set a career high of 17 rebounds and he matched that yesterday in the 121-106 win over Washington. A first all-star appearance could be on the way for Domas.

Nigel Williams-Goss - Utah Jazz

0.0 PPG, 0.3 APG in 2.3 MPG (3 games)

Not much action for NWG in his first NBA season so far. He is serving as a third-string point guard for the Jazz at the moment behind Mike Conley and Emmanuel Mudiay (even Mitchell takes up a lot of minutes at both guard positions) so time will be limited. It will be even tougher to get in the rotation when Dante Exum comes back from his injury.

*Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area... Follow him on Twitter @a_cravalho