Chicago Bulls News

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Nic Claxton • C • Bulls

Nic Claxton Carries Questionable Tag for Sunday

Chicago Bulls center Nic Claxton (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers. A left hamstring strain has sidelined him for all eight games since Chicago acquired him from Brooklyn in June. Asked Friday whether Claxton would play, head coach Tiago Splitter said "probably," per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network, while noting a minutes restriction is likely. The 27-year-old averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks last season. Splitter plans to test Claxton alongside Jalen Smith (finger), so Smith's value may not take as big a hit as expected.

Yesterday

Jalen Smith • PF • Bulls

Jalen Smith Listed as Probable for Sunday

Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (finger) is probable for Sunday's matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers. Smith left Wednesday's loss to the Knicks after seven minutes when he landed awkwardly on his injured left hand. According to K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network, Smith expects to play Sunday. Before that shortened outing, the 26-year-old was averaging 12.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists as Chicago's starting center. The bigger concern for Smith's fantasy value is Nic Claxton (hamstring), who is questionable and could make his Bulls debut Sunday, potentially pushing Smith back to the second unit.

Yesterday

Jalen Smith • PF • Bulls

Jalen Smith Exits with Left-Hand Injury

Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (hand) was ruled out for the rest of Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks after hurting his left hand while contesting a shot in the second quarter. Smith entered the night already dealing with a left finger sprain and was cleared to play before suffering the new setback. The 26-year-old came in averaging 12.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists while starting in place of Nic Claxton (hamstring). If Smith misses additional time, Zach Collins should be first in line for more center minutes until Claxton is ready to return.

4 days ago

Jalen Smith • PF • Bulls

Jalen Smith Probable Against Knicks On Wednesday

Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (finger) is probable with a left-finger sprain against the New York Knicks on Wednesday. Smith looks like he will play through the injury to his finger, but he could see his playing time restricted if Nic Claxton (questionable, hamstring) returns to the lineup. Claxton returning would likely push Smith to a bench role. Smith is averaging 12.1 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists so far this season.

6 days ago

Nic Claxton • C • Bulls

Nic Claxton Listed As Questionable For Wednesday's Game

Chicago Bulls forward Nic Claxton (hamstring) is listed as questionable with a left-hamstring strain for Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks. Claxton has yet to suit up for the Bulls this season. He has returned to practice, but his status for playing in a game is still up in the air for Wednesday's game. This is his first questionable tag of the young 2026-27 season.

6 days ago

Jalen Smith • PF • Bulls

Jalen Smith Expected to Play Monday

Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (finger) is probable for Monday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Smith has played through the sprain without missing time and grabbed 12 rebounds with two blocks in Friday's loss to Boston. The 26-year-old has started all six games with Nic Claxton (hamstring) sidelined, averaging 12.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 24.2 minutes. Claxton is doubtful again, leaving Smith in line for another start. If Joel Embiid (foot) is cleared, Smith would face a more difficult matchup inside against the 6-1 Sixers.

7 days ago

Nic Claxton • C • Bulls

Nic Claxton Doubtful for Bulls Debut on Monday

Chicago Bulls center Nic Claxton (hamstring) is doubtful for Monday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers after going through a full practice Sunday. Claxton has missed Chicago's first six games while recovering from a left hamstring strain, but the practice work is a positive step toward his Bulls debut. Jalen Smith (finger) is probable and should remain in the starting lineup if Claxton sits again. Smith is averaging 12.0 points and 8.8 rebounds in 24.2 minutes, though his workload could come down once Claxton is ready to join the rotation.

7 days ago

Jalen Smith • PF • Bulls

Jalen Smith Cleared to Play Friday

Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (finger) is available for Friday's game against the Boston Celtics, according to The Athletic's Joel Lorenzi. Smith had been questionable with a finger sprain after logging 30 minutes in Wednesday's loss to the Knicks. The 26-year-old has started all five games while Nic Claxton (hamstring) remains sidelined, averaging 13.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 23.4 minutes. Tobe Awaka (ankle) is also available, giving Chicago another option up front, but Smith should continue handling the bulk of the center minutes until Claxton returns.

Oct 30

Jalen Smith • PF • Bulls

Jalen Smith Questionable for Friday's Matchup With Boston

Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith (finger) is questionable for Friday's game against the Boston Celtics. Smith is in danger of missing his first game of the season due to a left finger sprain. The 26-year-old is off to a solid start, averaging 13.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 23.4 minutes per contest across five appearances. With Nic Claxton (hamstring) still sidelined and Tobe Awaka (ankle) questionable, Zach Collins could handle considerable frontcourt minutes if Smith is out of action.

Oct 29

Tobe Awaka • SF • Bulls

Tobe Awaka Available for Friday's Matchup With Milwaukee

Chicago Bulls forward Tobe Awaka (knee) is available for Friday's matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. The 22-year-old undrafted rookie from Arizona was also listed on the injury report ahead of Wednesday's loss to the Toronto Raptors but ended up playing. Awaka finished with two points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one block in 14 minutes. While his rebounding is encouraging, his limited playing time makes him a risky option in most fantasy formats.

Oct 23

Zach Collins • C • Bulls

Zach Collins Active on Friday

Chicago Bulls center Zach Collins (quadriceps) is available for Friday's matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. Collins was previously listed as probable with a quadriceps injury but has now been cleared to play. He will likely see limited minutes in Friday's contest after missing time during the preseason due to the injury. The 28-year-old is unlikely to make a significant fantasy impact until he returns to a full workload and establishes a consistent role in Chicago's rotation.

Oct 23

Josh Giddey • SG • Bulls

Josh Giddey Set to Suit Up Friday

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (wrist) is available for Friday's contest against the Milwaukee Bucks. Giddey will suit up for the first game of Chicago's back-to-back set after initially being listed as probable with a left wrist sprain. The 24-year-old struggled in Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Raptors, scoring just two points across 24 minutes. Despite the slow start, Giddey remains a solid fantasy option because he can contribute across multiple statistical categories. However, fantasy managers should monitor his workload as he continues to deal with the wrist injury.

Oct 23

Nic Claxton • C • Bulls

Nic Claxton Out Another Two Weeks

Chicago Bulls center Nic Claxton (hamstring) will miss Wednesday's season opener in Toronto after head coach Tiago Splitter said he will be reevaluated in approximately two weeks, according to Chicago Sports Network's K.C. Johnson. Splitter noted that Claxton is progressing and the timeline remains an estimate. The 27-year-old averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, a career-high 3.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks with Brooklyn last season. Jalen Smith started at center for most of the preseason and carries added fantasy appeal while Claxton is sidelined. Zach Collins (toe) practiced Monday and could also absorb center minutes if cleared for the opener.

Oct 20

Norman Powell • SG • Bulls

Norman Powell Goes 10-for-12 at the Line in Preseason Loss to Memphis

Chicago Bulls guard/forward Norman Powell scored 17 points in 19 minutes during Friday's 104-100 preseason loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. He shot 3-for-6 from the field and 1-for-2 from three while adding three rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Most of his damage came at the line, where he went 10-for-12. The 33-year-old has now scored 31 points in roughly 33 preseason minutes after putting up 14 against Phoenix. On a young Bulls roster featuring Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis, Powell's ability to draw fouls gives him another path to steady scoring even when his outside shot isn't falling.

Oct 10

Caleb Wilson • PF • Bulls

Caleb Wilson Pours in 21 Points in Preseason Loss to Grizzlies

Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson scored 21 points in Friday's 104-100 preseason loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, adding four rebounds and one steal in 32 minutes. The No. 4 overall pick bounced back from an 0-for-4 night from three in his debut by hitting 5-for-11 from deep, though he went just 2-for-6 at the line. Wilson has now scored 36 points through two exhibitions. The 32 minutes were nice to see, but Chicago was shorthanded, and Wilson got an extra run late, so don't expect that workload every night. Still, the scoring and high three-point volume give him a real chance to carve out useful fantasy value early.

Oct 10

Matas Buzelis • SF • Bulls

Matas Buzelis Exits Friday's Preseason Contest Early

K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports that Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (ankle) exited Friday's preseason contest against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second quarter and was ruled out for the rest of the game with a right ankle injury. Buzelis finished with six points and one block in 12 minutes. If the injury doesn't sideline him for long, the 21-year-old could play a significant role in Chicago's offense this season. He averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks last campaign, making him an intriguing fantasy option heading into 2026-27.

Oct 9

Jordan Hawkins • SG • Bulls

Jordan Hawkins Signs Two-Way Deal with Bulls

Free-agent guard/forward Jordan Hawkins is signing a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Memphis waived the former No. 14 pick Friday, less than a month after acquiring him from New Orleans. Hawkins reunites with Bulls executive Bryson Graham, who was in the Pelicans' front office when he was drafted in 2023. The 24-year-old averaged 5.1 points in 13.6 minutes while shooting 34.8 percent from three across 51 games last season. With Norman Powell, Isaac Okoro, and rookie Dailyn Swain among Chicago's perimeter options, Hawkins could spend significant time with the Windy City Bulls and would likely need injuries or a rotation opening to gain fantasy relevance.

Oct 6

Isaiah Stevens • PG • Bulls

Isaiah Stevens Inks Contract With Bulls

Free agent point guard Isaiah Stevens signed on with the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. In July, Sacramento waived the 25-year-old, but he is set to see another opportunity in the Windy City. Stevens has been unable to make his mark so far in his short NBA career, recording just six outings across two seasons. He will likely begin the 2026-27 campaign in the G League.

Oct 1

Matas Buzelis • SF • Bulls

Matas Buzelis Plans to Attack the Rim More in Year 3

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis expects more offensive freedom under new head coach Tiago Splitter and wants to attack the rim more this season, according to Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic. The 21-year-old said he focused on adding strength after feeling he settled for too many three-pointers last year. Buzelis averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 34.9 percent from three and 58.3 percent on two-point attempts. More drives and midrange work could help him get to the line more often while improving his shot selection. With Josh Giddey and rookie Caleb Wilson also needing touches, Buzelis finding better scoring opportunities could be key to another step forward.

Sep 30

Josh Giddey • SG • Bulls

Josh Giddey Enters Camp with No Restrictions

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey says he has no restrictions entering training camp, according to Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic. The 23-year-old underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle in May after hamstring and ankle issues limited him to 54 games last season. Giddey still posted career highs of 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game. Chicago added Norman Powell and Nicolas Claxton during the offseason, giving Giddey another proven scorer and a capable interior target. If his ankle stays healthy, Giddey should remain the primary engine of the Bulls' offense under new head coach Tiago Splitter.

Sep 29

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