The NBA has suspended Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins for 25 games without pay due to a violation of the league's anti-drug policy. Collins tested positive for Growth Hormone Releasing Peptide 2 (GHRP-2).

Collins will start serving his suspension on Tuesday night as the Hawks take on the San Antonio Spurs. Atlanta is bound to get star point guard Trae Young back after an ankle injury forced him to miss last week's second game against the Miami Heat, but they are once again short of firepower with their big man out of a hefty portion of the season.

The third-year big man out of Wake Forest was averaging 17 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks through five games this season, but will now be forced to miss a third of the NBA season with this injury.

Collins' suspension will cost him $610,582 through that stretch, according to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks. The Hawks forward is is the third player to be suspended for that long (25 games) due to a violation of the anti-drug policy, joining Wilson Chandler of the Brooklyn Nets and Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns.

Chandler received his suspension in Aug. 29 for testing positive for Ipamorelin. Ayton received his on Oct. 24 for testing positive for a diuretic. Ultimately Collins' growth hormone-releasing peptide will get him that same 25-game punishment — though it is helpful that the NBA is being fully transparent with the substance players have tested positive for.

Collins' absence could prove to be an opportunity for Jabari Parker, who signed with the team in the offseason after short stints with his hometown Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards in 2018-19.