The Bulls could be juggling a lot of moving parts when they take on the 76ers on Sunday afternoon, but the headline is clear: Nic Claxton looks set to make his Chicago debut.
Claxton’s return from a hamstring injury would give the Bulls something they’ve been missing early on - a real defensive anchor in the paint. Chicago has had trouble protecting the rim to start the season, and a lot of the team’s defensive planning in training camp was built around what Claxton can do on that end. He’s expected to come with a strict minutes restriction, but even a limited version of him changes the look of the front line.
Jalen Smith should also be available despite continuing to deal with a finger injury. He was forced out of the team’s last game after injuring the same hand in a hard fall, but the expectation is that he’ll push through again.
Smith has been one of Chicago’s steadiest performers so far, and even if Claxton takes over as a starter, Smith still figures to be a major part of the rotation. Tiago Splitter even said a double-big setup with Claxton and Smith could be on the table.
Chicago’s frontcourt, though, is not fully intact. Zach Collins has been ruled out because of an illness, and Tobe Awaka is questionable with an MCL sprain.
Awaka did play in the Windy City Bulls’ season opener on Friday, but he sat out Saturday night’s game. If both he and Collins are unavailable, the Bulls could be thin up front and Splitter may have to go small at times.
The bigger concern might be on the perimeter. Norman Powell was added to the injury report with a sore right shoulder, and his status could matter as much as anyone’s.
He hasn’t been off to a scorching start, but he remains one of Chicago’s most reliable scorers. Powell can still swing a game with a burst from deep or a trip to the line, and without him the pressure on the younger players only grows.
That would seem to open the door for Dailyn Swain, but he’s out as well with right disc irritation. The rookie played in the G League opener this weekend and put up 16 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds, but Splitter has kept the No. 15 pick out of the NBA rotation for now.
Here’s how the injury report stands:
Jalen Smith - PROBABLE (finger)
Nic Claxton - QUESTIONABLE (hamstring)
Norman Powell - QUESTIONABLE (shoulder)
Tobe Awaka - QUESTIONABLE (MCL)
Dailyn Swain - OUT (disc)
Zach Collins - OUT (illness)
In Other News...
Bulls Suddenly Face A Real Lineup Decision They Cant Avoid
Nic Claxtons return is giving the Bulls something they have not had much of yet this season: a real frontcourt choice. After missing time with a preseason left hamstring strain, Claxton is back on the verge of debuting with a minutes restriction, and coach Tiago Splitter is already talking about trying different combinations to see what fits best. For a team still sorting through a difficult start, even a healthy big man can change the conversation quickly.
The most interesting part is where Claxton fits once he is available. Splitter wants to look at lineups with Claxton and Jalen Smith together, which could alter the rotation and force some tough decisions elsewhere on the roster. With trade chatter already hanging over the Bulls as they search for answers, this is no longer just about getting Claxton on the floor. It is about how much the team is willing to reshape around him. [Read more 🡒]
Bulls Finally Get A Frontcourt Boost With One Big Catch
The Bulls are finally getting a frontcourt reinforcement back, and it comes at a time when the rotation could use one. Nic Claxton is set to return after working his way back from a hamstring strain, giving Chicago a needed option inside as the team continues to sort through lineup stability and health concerns around the league and in its own front line.
There is still a catch, though, and it matters for how much immediate impact he can make. Claxton is not expected to be thrown back into a full workload right away, so the Bulls will have to balance the value of having him available with the reality that his return is more about easing back into game shape than instantly solving every frontcourt issue. [Read more 🡒]
Jaylin Sellers Is Giving The Bulls A Contract Decision To Make
The Windy City Bulls opened their G League regular season with a pair of home wins, and the early buzz has centered on two names in particular. Dailyn Swain made a strong debut with 16 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, while Jaylin Sellers followed with a performance that showed why he has started to turn heads as more than just a developmental piece.
Sellers has looked comfortable both as a scorer and as a creator, knocking down shots from deep while also setting up teammates in the flow of the offense. For the Bulls, that kind of two-way production only adds to the intrigue around what comes next, because his play is making the front office think carefully about how much longer they can keep him in this role. [Read more 🡒]