Jazz big man John Collins has been on the right side of poster dunks for the majority of his NBA career. On Monday, he found himself on the wrong end of a dunk for the ages.
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 forcefully dunk 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 exited the game to be evaluated for a concussion and did not return.
What is the latest on Collins' injury? Here is what the Jazz have shared about the big man's status.
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What is John Collins' injury?
Collins' injury was ruled as a head contusion, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
While it happened quickly, it appears Collins suffered the injury as Edwards rose for the dunk. After Edwards takes off, his left arm appears to strike Collins in the head.
A courtside angle of the dunk illustrates the contact.
LOOK AT THIS ANGLE 🤯
— Overtime (@overtime) March 19, 2024
(via gavmastagram/IG) pic.twitter.com/Hyv8GGsqn7
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 sustain a concussion, Hardy said "I don't know if the concussion protocol thing is happening. I haven't gotten the final word on that but he looked a little out of it, in my opinion."
MORE: Anthony Edwards adds to highlight reel with poster jam over Jazz's John Collins
How long is John Collins out?
Collins' availability moving forward will depend largely on concussion testing. While he reportedly cleared concussion protocol on the night of the injury, he could still wind up in the protocol if he is re-evaluated.
There are examples of NBA players initially clearing the concussion protocol before being placed into 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 in Oklahoma City on March 20.
What is the NBA's Concussion Protocol?
Here is what the NBA concussion policy states:
Understanding that concussions are diverse injuries that may have significant long-term consequences, the NBA Concussion Policy is designed to maximize the health and safety of NBA players by providing a framework of education and clinical management that best reflects the current scientific understanding of the injury. Prior concussion history, genetic predisposition, a history of learning disorder, ADHD, migraines, and mood disorder have all been suggested, among other things, to affect the risk of sustaining a concussion or having a more protracted or complicated course. The policy was created, therefore, under the core principle that each concussion, and each athlete, is unique.
Utah Jazz schedule
Utah has 14 games remaining in the 2023-24 regular season. Here is a look at its next five games:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| March 20 | at Thunder | 8 p.m. | — |
| March 21 | at Mavericks | 8:30 p.m. | — |
| March 23 | at Rockets | 8 p.m. | — |
| March 25 | vs. Mavericks | 9 p.m. | — |
| March 27 | vs. Spurs | 9 p.m. | — |
