Portland Trail Blazers big man Zach Collins said back in November he thinks he’ll be able to return this season despite undergoing left shoulder surgery.

Collins underwent successful surgery to repair his left labrum. He got some work in on Wednesday after the Blazers' practice:

In the first three games of the season, Collins averaged 9.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 47.4 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from beyond the arc and a perfect 100 percent from the free-throw line.

For his career, Collins holds averages of 5.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 146 games. He is making $4,240,200 this season. The Blazers have missed his energy, toughness and rebounding, especially on the defensive side of the floor.

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The Blazers are 19-26 on the season after defeating the Golden State Warriors on Monday. They are in 10th place in the Western Conference standings.

After making it to the Western Conference Finals last season, Portland has been inconsistent in 2019-20. The Blazers are hoping newcomer Trevor Ariza is the final piece the team needs to get back in the playoff picture out West. He will join Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Carmelo Anthony and Hassan Whiteside in the starting lineup.

As is the case every season, the Blazers will ultimately go as far as Lillard and McCollum can take them.