Nic Claxton sidelined by hamstring strain, to miss Bulls’ full preseason

The Chicago Bulls will open training camp without newly acquired centre Nic Claxton. Head coach Tiago Splitter told reporters Monday that Claxton recently suffered a hamstring injury and will be sidelined for at least two weeks, at which point he will be re-evaluated. That timeline puts his availability for the Bulls’ regular-season opener on October 21 in Toronto in serious question.

Claxton is already ruled out for all five of Chicago’s preseason games, which run from October 7 through 16. Being checked again in two weeks does not guarantee a return date, as teams typically proceed carefully with soft tissue injuries in order to avoid setbacks.

Bulls lose key off-season addition in the middle

The 31st overall pick in the 2019 draft, Claxton spent his first seven NBA seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, the team that selected him. Chicago brought the 27-year-old big man in this off-season using cap space to stabilize the middle and add rim protection and playmaking from the centre spot.

Claxton is coming off a strong 2025-26 campaign in which he provided double-digit scoring, solid rebounding, playmaking boosts and over a block per game while shooting efficiently from the field. His absence at the outset of camp will delay the chemistry-building process for a Bulls roster undergoing significant changes under Splitter.

Frontcourt rotation in flux without Claxton

Splitter said he plans to start Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson and “a big” during this week’s preseason action, leaving the starting centre spot open while Claxton recovers. Internal options include Jalen Smith and Zach Collins, though Collins has been dealing with a soft tissue issue of his own, further clouding the frontcourt picture.

The head coach also indicated he expects to use a 9-to-11-man rotation once the regular season begins, arguing that an eight-man group would be “impossible” to maintain at the pace the Bulls want to play. That philosophy should create opportunities for several depth players to stake a claim to regular minutes while injuries linger.

Tobe Awaka drawing praise for offensive rebounding

With Claxton sidelined, others are already making their case. Two-way big man Tobe Awaka earned notable praise from Giddey, who called him “maybe the best offensive rebounder I’ve ever seen.” Giddey highlighted Awaka’s energy on both ends and his decision-making after grabbing an offensive board, noting that he often looks to find shooters rather than forcing a tough finish.

As Chicago navigates camp without its projected starting centre, these extended auditions at the five will help determine how prepared the Bulls are to weather Claxton’s absence if it stretches into the regular season. His progress over the next few weeks will be closely monitored as the team approaches opening night in Toronto.