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Trail Blazers: An Update on Jusuf Nurkic, Zach Collins, and Skal Labissiere

By Ryan Mandel

PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 25: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts in the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Moda Center on March 25, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 25: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts in the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Moda Center on March 25, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

As the Portland Trail Blazers continue to struggle, we take a look into when Jusuf Nurkic, Zach Collins, and Skal Labissiere will be back with the team, and what they can bring to the table.

On March 26th, 2019, Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic went down with a season ending leg injury against the Brooklyn Nets. He suffered compound fractures of his fibula and tibia in his left leg while coming down awkwardly for a rebound. He was given no time-table for his return, and missed the entirety of the deep playoff run that the Blazers made later that season.

On October 27th, 2019, Blazers forward Zach Collins dislocated his left shoulder while grabbing a non-contact rebound in a game against the Dallas Mavericks. On November 5th, he underwent successful surgery to repair his left labrum, and was given a time-table of 4-6 months to return. The Blazers were 2-1 before Collins went down, and are 14-22 since.

On December 28th, 2019, the Blazers lost another big man, as Skal Labissiere left the game with an unknown left knee injury. Labissiere had been off to a great start this season, and was just inserted into the starting lineup after proving that he formed a great pairing next to Hassan Whiteside. This injury leaves the Blazers with only one healthy player taller than six-foot-eight on their roster.

As the Blazers struggle to find a way to tread water in the jam-packed western conference, they are eagerly awaiting the returns of these three big men. So when will this be, and what will it mean for the team?