On Monday, Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins had a sparkling box score at halftime but disappeared in the second half as the Golden State Warriors blew the Hawks out. In the first 24 minutes, Collins was 6-for-6 from the floor and looked on his way to a great night. However, he finished with 19 points on 6-for-7 shooting with six rebounds, an assist, and two three-pointers and almost vanished over the final two quarters. The big man was dealing with a foot injury coming into the game, and the Hawks were on the first game of a back-to-back, but he still played 31 minutes. Check on Collins' status before Tuesday's tip against the Jazz for any updates or if it provides any clues to his second-half disappearance on Monday night.

Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (foot) is listed as probable for Monday's game against the Golden State Warriors. Collins is dealing with a left foot strain. He was able to play through the injury on Saturday against the Phoenix Suns and went on to have a big game, racking up 26 points and 10 boards. The 24-year-old is off to a solid start to the year. Through 10 games, he's averaging 16.0 points and 9.2 rebounds per game while shooting 59.6% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range.

Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (foot) is available for Saturday's game against the Phoenix Suns. He has been dealing with a lingering left foot sprain over the last few days. Although, it appears Collins is healthy enough to suit up on Saturday. There is no indication that Collins will be limited at all for this contest. Fantasy managers should expect a big game from Collins with Deandre Ayton (leg) ruled out.

Atlanta Hawks power forward/center John Collins (foot) and point/shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (ankle) have both gotten the thumbs up to take the floor Thursday against Utah. Collins has gotten off to an impressive start to the season, with three double-doubles under his belt, entering play vs. the Jazz averaging 15.9 points per game. Bogdanovic, now fully entrenched among the starting five, has shot 41.7 percent from behind the arc, adding a career-best 3.9 rebounds per contest. The duo will square off with a notoriously stout Jazz defense, which has allowed just 100.4 points per game (fourth lowest in the league) thus far.

Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (foot) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Utah Jazz. He is dealing with a left foot strain, but he was able to suit up during Wednesday's contest. However, it is a back-to-back set, so possibly the Hawks take the cautious approach here. Danilo Gallinari would see a heavy usage, assuming Collins is out. Gallinari would likely be a popular DFS option without Collins, but fantasy managers will have to check back closer to tip-off for more information.

Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (foot), listed as a game-time call, will play Wednesday against the Nets. Collins was dealing with a left foot sprain, but will be healthy enough to suit up against a thin Nets frontcourt. The talented forward is averaging 15.4 points and 9.7 rebounds and will get an excellent matchup against a Brooklyn team that has struggled to defend power forwards. Collins could be in line for a big night, assuming his foot is good to go.

Atlanta Hawks power forward John Collins came up with a game-high 28 points on 14-for-16 shooting in Thursday's 122-111 loss to Washington. He added 12 rebounds to register his third double-double of the season and handed out three assists with two turnovers in 38 minutes. Collins had a pretty poor start to the campaign, but he's picked up momentum now and can crush it against Washington again on Monday. He'll get a much more uncomfortable matchup before it, though, as the Hawks host the Sixers, who play at a snail's pace and crash the boards hard.

Atlanta Hawks power forward John Collins had a rough game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. He shot just 3-for-8 from the field and 0-for-2 from the line while scoring only six points in the game. On Monday, he was able to bounce back with a much better effort against the Detroit Pistons. He shot 9-for-14 from the field in the game and scored a season-high 22 points. He also tallied seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. Collins was a bit disappointing last year as he averaged 17.6 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, down from 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game in 2019-20. We'll see if he can build off Monday's effort in his next game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.

Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins has agreed on a five-year extension with the organization. Last offseason, Collins bet on himself and turned down a $90 million extension from the organization. A year later, Collins is signing a five-year $125 million deal with the team. He averaged 17.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.0 blocks last season with the Hawks. Collins is one of the brightest young stars in the game and should continue to get better. He'll be snagged off draft boards within the first few rounds on draft day.

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Hawks general manager Travis Schlenk moved quickly to lock down Nate McMillan as the full-time coach, reaching an agreement to remove the interim tag only two days after team's season ended. The deal comes after McMillan, in his interim role, led the team to an improbable run to the Eastern Conference finals. Schlenk said Monday that “an agreement in place in principal” was reached earlier in the day with McMillan. “We’re just drawing up the contract,” Schlenk said. The team is expected to officially announce the deal on Tuesday. Details were not immediately available. McMillan, 56, was named interim coach after Lloyd Pierce was fired when the team had a 14-20 record. The Hawks enjoyed an immediate turnaround under McMillan. They played better late in games, protecting leads while posting a 27-11 mark that gave them the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. It was Atlanta's first playoff berth since 2017. The Hawks were underdogs in beating the New York Knicks... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — As the final seconds ticked off on a season that lasted far longer than anyone expected, the crowd rose to its feet to salute the home team. The Atlanta Hawks sure earned the cheers. Making an improbable turnaround from what looked like another lost year, the Hawks earned a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2017, knocked off the top-seeded team in the East, and made it all the way to the conference finals. The Cinderella run finally ended Saturday night with a 118-107 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, who won the series 4-2 and advanced to the NBA Finals to take on the Phoenix Suns. But the disappointing finish did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of a long-downtrodden franchise that seems poised for more long-term success than at any time since moving to Atlanta in 1968. “This is the beginning,” Trae Young said. “We have the city excited and we want to keep it like that.” The Hawks will likely bring back largely the same cast next season, though they do have two major... [More]

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Bobby Portis says he turned down more lucrative offers to sign with the Milwaukee Bucks in the offseason because he wanted to play for a winner and experience a deep playoff run. The reassurance that he made the right decision came every time a frenzied Fiserv Forum crowd chanted his name Thursday night. Through the first five seasons of his career, Portis appeared in only one playoff series. Now he's a win away from the NBA Finals. “Coming here was one of the best decisions for my career,” Portis said. Portis took injured two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo’s spot in the starting lineup and scored 22 points in a 123-112 Game 5 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. That gave Milwaukee a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference finals. With every big play Portis made, the chants of “Bobby! Bobby!” grew louder. Portis had a simple explanation for why he’s become such a fan favorite his first year in Milwaukee. “It’s a blue-collar city,” Portis said, “and I’m a blue-collar player.” This... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — John Collins' value to the Atlanta Hawks' championship hopes — and in free agency — can't be fully measured by his points and rebounds. To better appreciate the power forward's vital role, try to imagine the Hawks' matchup against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference finals without Collins' size and athleticism. Game 1 of the series is Wednesday night in Milwaukee. The Bucks are favored by seven points by FanDuel Sportsbook. in a physical conference semifinal series against Philadelphia in which the 76ers seemed to try and bully Collins and the Hawks, he posted double-doubles in the last four games of the conference semifinal series. Collins had 14 points, 16 rebounds, Atlanta's only blocked shot and a steal in the 103-96 series-clinching Game 7 win on Sunday night. “I’m glad I got to experience something like this,” Collins said. “It’s a legendary moment for myself personally.” Collins saw the potential for the Hawks to return to the playoffs... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid was fined $35,000 by the NBA for escalating an on-court altercation in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Atlanta. Embiid fell on top of John Collins on the court in Game 6. Collins then shoved Embiid before both rose to their feet. Embiid had his arms stretched out wide with Collins’ hands around his neck as both walked off the court under the basket. Officials reviewed the altercation and called technical fouls on each player with no free throws awarded. The NBA said Sunday Embiid also failed to comply with an NBA Security interview following the incident. Atlanta Hawks forward Bruno Fernando was suspended for Sunday's Game 7 for leaving the bench area during the spat. ___ More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Doc Rivers isn't revealing his plan for replacing Danny Green in the Philadelphia 76ers' lineup. Rivers said Sunday “some of the unintended good consequences of having injuries during the regular season” are having options for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night. Green's injury is a big loss for Rivers, but the coach has a deep bench. Green is expected to miss at least two weeks after straining his right calf early Friday in a 127-111 win over the Hawks. The 76ers took a 2-1 lead in the series, putting Atlanta behind in a series for the first time in this postseason. Hawks coach Nate McMillan is trying to avoid putting added pressure on his players. “I think all games are must-wins,” McMillan said Sunday. “If we don’t get tomorrow night we still have another chance in Philly, but you want to take advantage of your home court.” Matisse Thybulle was Rivers' first choice to replace Green in Friday night's game. Thybulle... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — John Collins already has seen what playoff success has done to raise the hometown excitement for the Atlanta Hawks. Collins is eager for the opportunity to build more enthusiasm now that the Eastern Conference semifinal series against the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers has shifted to Atlanta. With the series tied 1-1, Game 3 will be played on Friday. There is less heading into Friday's Game 3 matchup between Phoenix and Denver. The Suns hold a 2-0 lead over the Nuggets in their Western Conference semifinal in a series that Phoenix seems to be in total control. In Atlanta, the Hawks announced a sellout on Thursday for Game 3 and said only a few seats remain for Monday's Game 4. The Hawks have won 13 consecutive home games, the longest active streak in the NBA. The streak includes two home wins as Atlanta beat the New York Knicks in five games in the first round. Collins said he found evidence of Atlanta's playoff fever at his neighborhood gas station. “I go into the same gas... [More]

Phoenix's Deandre Ayton had Guy Fieri leaping out of his courtside seat with a thundering dunk. Atlanta's Trae Young had Spike Lee leaving early in disappointment. Dallas' Luka Doncic impressed Paul George so much that the Clippers’ veteran insisted on trading jerseys with the youngster. They’re all part of the NBA’s draft class of 2018. And that group, so far, might be the class of these playoffs. Doncic is gone, but plenty of others — Young, Ayton, Michael Porter Jr., Mikal Bridges, Kevin Huerter, Bruce Brown and more — from the group that got drafted three years ago remain. And they’ve seemed right at home in this postseason, even though for many it’s the first time on this big a stage. “I think it’s the best class in NBA history,” Ayton, the Phoenix center who went No. 1 overall in that class three years ago, said after the Suns won their first-round series over the 2020 NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. “That’s how I feel. ... Guys like Luka, MPJ and Trae, it’s been great to watch us... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — If Trae Young is the unquestioned star of the Atlanta Hawks, then Clint Capela is the backbone. A pretty good trash talker, too. The burly, 6-foot-10 Swiss center has given the Hawks the gritty defensive presence they so desperately needed. Without Capela, it's hard to envision Atlanta preparing for its first appearance in the Eastern Conference semifinals since 2016. “He's the anchor for us,” interim coach Nate McMillan said. “Defensively, he's been the guy all season who cleans up our breakdowns and mistakes on the perimeter.” Capela was acquired by the Hawks from Houston last year at the trade deadline — part of a 12-player deal that signaled Atlanta was ready to take the next step in a massive rebuild that produced three straight dismal seasons. For the first time in the overhaul, the Hawks weren't taking on a big salary just for the sake of future cap space. They had big plans for Capela, even though a foot injury prevented him from suiting up for his new team before... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Nate McMillan gives a glimpse of his coaching style when he talks about his playing days. He never cared about the accolades. Just whatever it took to win. “A guy who put his nose in everything,” McMillan recalled. “I wasn't a guy who pouted about minutes or rotations or shots or points or any of that. I tried to be a glue guy who made his teammates better.” He's certainly made the Hawks a lot better since he took over as interim head coach. Atlanta was plodding along at 14-20 when Lloyd Pierce was fired just before the All-Star break. McMillan, who had joined Pierce's staff before this season, was elevated to the top post. Since then, the Hawks have been one of the NBA's best teams with a 27-11 record, securing their first trip to the playoffs since 2017. The only teams to win more over the final 38 games of the regular season were Phoenix and Denver. The only team to match the Hawks in the East were the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers. “You see the results,” guard Bogdan... [More]

ATLANTA (AP) — Nate McMillan gives a glimpse of his coaching style when he talks about his playing days. He never cared about the accolades. Just whatever it took to win. “A guy who put his nose in everything,” McMillan recalled. “I wasn't a guy who pouted about minutes or rotations or shots or points or any of that. I tried to be a glue guy who made his teammates better.” He's certainly made the Hawks a lot better since he took over as interim head coach. Atlanta was plodding along at 14-20 when Lloyd Pierce was fired just before the All-Star break. McMillan, who had joined Pierce's staff before this season, was elevated to the top post. Since then, the Hawks have been one of the NBA's best teams with a 27-11 record, securing their first trip to the playoffs since 2017. The only teams to win more over the final 38 games of the regular season were Phoenix and Denver, two of the best squads in the West. The only team to match the Hawks in the East were the top-seeded Philadelphia 76ers.... [More]