The Bulls may finally be close to getting some help where they need it most.
Chicago’s defense has been a problem from the jump in 2026-27, and the numbers tell the story. The Bulls are giving up 52.3 points in the paint per game, which ranks sixth-most in the NBA.
Opponents are also shooting nearly 48.0 percent from the field against them, and Chicago’s rebounding percentage is sitting in the league’s bottom ten. That has helped fuel an ugly 1-5 start, one that has already included multiple blowout losses.
A big part of the conversation around that defensive mess has centered on Nic Claxton, the center the Bulls brought in from the Brooklyn Nets over the offseason. Tiago Splitter’s defensive plan appeared to be built around Claxton’s rim protection, but a hamstring injury early in camp has kept him out ever since.
That may be changing soon. Splitter said last week that Claxton was getting close to returning to practice, and now K.C.
Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports that the big man practiced in full for the first time since straining the hamstring. The update comes with Chicago a little over 24 hours away from a game in Philadelphia.
That still doesn’t mean Claxton is automatically ready for Monday night. After missing the last month-plus, the Bulls could choose to give him more practice time before putting him back into the rotation. When he does return, a minutes restriction would also make sense at the start.
Even so, getting Claxton back in any form would be a welcome development for a team that has badly needed some stability inside. He won’t solve everything on his own, and there are real questions about how well he fits with this roster. There’s also the matter of whether he can get back to the level fans remember from a few years ago.
Claxton made his name as a versatile defender, but his last couple of seasons in Brooklyn were not nearly as strong. His impact on defense dipped, and his work on the glass also fell off. Some pointed to a back issue, while others viewed it as a byproduct of the Nets’ tanking approach.
For the Bulls, though, the hope is simple: a fresh start can help Claxton rediscover the player they thought they were getting. With one of the NBA’s toughest schedules still ahead, the sooner he can get back on the floor, the better.
Nic Claxton - OUT (hamstring)
Dailyn Swain - Game-time decision (back)
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