Nic Claxton’s status is the big question hanging over Wednesday’s meeting with the Knicks, and the Bulls finally got a small boost on the injury front.
Claxton, who has been sidelined since preseason with a hamstring injury, was upgraded to questionable for the rematch, according to the NBA injury report. He has not played a minute this season, and he also missed all of the preseason.
Chicago has needed help at center in his absence, and Jalen Smith has been the starter in that spot. Smith is also on the injury report, though he was listed as probable because of a left finger sprain.
There was at least some encouraging movement over the weekend. K.C.
Johnson of The Chicago Sports Network reported that Claxton fully participated in practice on Sunday, a sign that he could be nearing a return. Johnson also reported that Claxton was upgraded to questionable on Tuesday.
The Bulls brought Claxton in during June as part of a three-team trade with the Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves, and the fit is obvious. Chicago wanted more athleticism, more size, and more rim protection, and Claxton gives them all three.
Last season, he averaged 11.7 points and 6.9 rebounds across 69 games. The Nets took him with the 31st pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and he spent seven seasons in Brooklyn. During the 2022-23 season, Claxton was a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
For now, his availability against the Knicks remains up in the air.
In Other News...
Bulls Had No Answer For A 76ers Team Looking Unstoppable
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For the Bulls, the frustration was less about one hot hand than the overall rhythm Philadelphia found and sustained. The 76ers were getting quality looks, sharing the ball and forcing Chicago to chase for long stretches, which is exactly the kind of night that can make a good defensive plan look thin. If this is the version of Philadelphia the Bulls are going to see again, they will need a much cleaner answer than the one they came up with here. [Read more 🡒]
Caleb Wilson Is Giving Bulls Fans A Reason To Believe Again
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Bulls Young Core Already Raising Early Questions After Philly Loss
The Bulls trip to Philadelphia ended with a lopsided 126-107 loss, a reminder that the growing pains around this roster can show up quickly against a disciplined opponent. Caleb Wilson provided the scoring punch Chicago needed to stay afloat, and Josh Giddey was again central to the offense with his passing and ability to organize possessions, but the night also featured uneven stretches from several other rotation pieces.
Jalen Smith, Norman Powell, Noa Essengue, Isaac Okoro and Matas Buzelis all had moments that underscored how much this group is still sorting itself out on both ends. For a team trying to build around a young core, the bigger concern is not just the final margin but the way the Bulls supporting cast can swing from helpful to shaky in the same game. [Read more 🡒]