Posted Feb 2 2012 9:20PM
ATLANTA (AP) -- Atlanta Hawks center Jason Collins has left Thursday night's game against Memphis after he sprained his left elbow.
The Hawks say he won't return, dealing another blow to Atlanta's short-handed center position. The team is already without All-Star Al Horford, who is expected to miss most, if not all, of the regular season after undergoing surgery for a torn left pectoral muscle.
Collins was injured late in the first quarter when he dove for a loose ball and got his arm caught under Dante Cunningham of the Grizzlies. He walked off the court holding his elbow.
The 7-foot Collins was averaging just 11.3 minutes and 1.1 points a game, but at least gives the Hawks another big body in the middle.
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