Jason Collins Injury: Hawks Center Unlikely To Play On Road Trip

Injured Atlanta Hawks center Jason Collins is with the team as they open a five-game road trip in Los Angeles on Tuesday night. However, although Collins' elbow is starting to feel better, he is unlikely to play on the trip. That likely will mean a second 10-day contract for center Erick Dampier.

Dampier got early playing time in Atlanta's Tuesday night matchup against the Lakers. Atlanta struggled to try and match the size of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol so Larry Drew turned to Dampier midway through the first quarter. Atlanta can sign Dampier to two consecutive 10-day contracts before having to offer him a deal for the remainder of the season.

Collins told beat writer Michael Cunningham before the game that his elbow was improving and that he had a scheduled checkup with his doctor scheduled for Wednesday.

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