Claxton (hamstring) has been downgraded to questionable for Sunday's game against the 76ers.
Collins was originally marked as probable for Sunday's contest, but he appears to be trending in the wrong direction as game day approaches. If Claxton needs to sit out another game, Jalen Smith (hand) would presumably continue to operate as the Bulls' starting center.
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Bulls' Nic Claxton: Closing in on season debut
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Head coach Tiago Splittler said Friday that Claxton (hamstring) is expected to make his season debut Sunday against the 76ers, per Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic.
Splitter stopped short of confirming Claxton's availability, but the big man is certainly trending in the right direction. Once Claxton is cleared to make his Bulls debut, Jalen Smith (hand) is likely to fall into a reserve role.
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Bulls' Nic Claxton: Recalled from Windy City
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Claxton (hamstring) was recalled from the G League's Windy City Bulls on Thursday.
Claxton was assigned to the G League earlier in the day to log a practice as part of his rehab. He'll rejoin the NBA squad following his workout and could make his 2026-27 debut as early as Sunday against the 76ers.
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Bulls' Nic Claxton: Assigned to G League
Rotowire
The Bulls assigned Claxton (hamstring) to the G League's Windy City Bulls on Thursday.
This is the next stage of Claxton's rehab, and he'll be recalled shortly after practicing Thursday. Claxton drew a questionable tag prior to Wednesday against the Knicks and is closing in on his season debut.
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Bulls' Nic Claxton: Won't return from absence Wednesday
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Claxton (hamstring) is listed as out for Wednesday's game against New York.
Claxton was listed as questionable, suggesting he might make his 2026-27 campaign debut Wednesday versus the Knicks. However, that won't happen, meaning his next opportunity to suit up will come Sunday against Philadelphia. With Claxton on the shelf again, Jalen Smith (finger) will likely remain in the starting lineup.
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Bulls' Nic Claxton: Upgraded to questionable
Rotowire
Claxton (hamstring) is questionable for Wednesday against the Knicks.
Claxton has now drawn his first questionable tag of the young season as he closes in on his debut. If he does get the green light, he may face restrictions early on. Jalen Smith (finger) and Zach Collins could lose some steam upon Claxton's return.
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Bulls' Nic Claxton: Out again Monday
Rotowire
Claxton (hamstring) is out for Monday's game against the 76ers.
Claxton appears to be trending in the right direction after practicing Sunday, but he's not yet ready to make his 2026-27 debut. His next chance to play will arrive Wednesday against the Knicks.
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Bulls' Nic Claxton: Log full practice Sunday
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Claxton (hamstring) was a full participant in Sunday's practice, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network.
With Claxton progressing from individual drills Monday to full practice participation Sunday, he appears to be moving in the right direction in his recovery from a hamstring injury that's cost him the start of the regular season. More clarity on Claxton's potential regular-season debut should surface Sunday night, when the Bulls release their injury report for Monday's game in Philadelphia.
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Bulls' Nic Claxton: Hopes to practice with team next week
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Claxton (hamstring) participated in individual drills Monday morning and hopes to join the team for practice next week, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The Bulls reported one week ago that the big man would be re-evaluated in two weeks, so he appears to be right on track with his recovery from a hamstring injury. He'll presumably need to take part in 5-on-5 drills before getting the green light to return to game action.
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Bulls' Nic Claxton: Out another two weeks
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Claxton (hamstring) will be re-evaluated in two weeks, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.
This is a tough blow for the Bulls as they will be without their starting center for the first seven games of the regular season. Meanwhile, Zach Collins' (toe) status remains in the air. This could set up Jalen Smith for a solid workload to open the season.
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Bulls' Nic Claxton: Tweaks hamstring
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Claxton tweaked his hamstring and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, Chuck Swirsky of the Bulls Radio Network of the Bulls Radio Network reports.
This is a huge blow for Claxton, and it rules him out for the entire preseason. For now, fantasy managers can consider him questionable for Opening Night on Oct. 21 against the Raptors. Jalen Smith is the next man up on the depth chart for Chicago, followed by Zach Collins (toe).
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Bulls' Nic Claxton: Heading to Chicago
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The Nets traded Claxton (finger) and the No. 33 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft to the Bulls and Timberwolves, respectively, in exchange for Julius Randle and the No. 28 overall pick in this year's draft, Shams Charania of ESPN reports Monday.
Claxton will head to Chicago after spending the first seven years of his career with the Nets. The big man appeared in 69 regular-season games (68 starts) in 2025-26, averaging 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.1 blocks and 0.7 steals in 27.8 minutes per contest. He missed the team's final five games with a sprained finger, though he's expected to be ready for training camp. Claxton is under contract through the 2027-28 campaign.
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Nets' Nic Claxton: Ruled out for Sunday
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Claxton (finger) is out for Sunday's game in Toronto, Erik Slater of ClutchPoints.com reports.
E.J. Liddell and Trevon Scott could again see significant minutes Sunday as the last men standing in Brooklyn's frontcourt. Claxton will end the season with averages of 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists (career-high figure) and 1.1 blocks per game.
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Nets' Nic Claxton: Out again Friday
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Claxton (finger) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Bucks.
Claxton will miss a fourth straight game, and it's unlikely he'll suit up during Sunday's regular-season finale in Toronto. E.J. Liddell should draw another start at center in Claxton's absence.
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Nets' Nic Claxton: Still out Tuesday
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Claxton (finger) is listed as out for Tuesday's game against Milwaukee.
Claxton will miss a second consecutive game Tuesday. However, with only three more contests left after the matchup against the Bucks, there's a chance the 26-year-old won't be back on the floor until the start of the 2026-27 campaign. With Claxton sidelined again, E.J. Liddell is the favorite to remain in the starting lineup.
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Nets' Nic Claxton: Ruled out for Sunday
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Claxton (hand) is out for Sunday's meeting with the Wizards.
Claxton's absence will open up minutes for Josh Minott and E.J. Liddell. Claxton should be considered questionable for Tuesday's game against the Bucks.
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Nets' Nic Claxton: Available to play
Rotowire
Claxton (hand) is available for Friday's game against the Hawks.
Claxton was previously carrying a probable tag for the Nets, but he will power through issues with his wrist on top of an illness. Based on previous outings, the Nets will likely be cautious with his workload.
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Nets' Nic Claxton: Probable for Friday
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Claxton (hand/illness) is listed as probable for Friday's game against the Hawks.
Claxton is dealing with an illness and right hand soreness, though he's still likely to suit up Friday. The big man has averaged 9.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 22.0 minutes per game over his last five appearances. He's been seeing limited playing time of late and hasn't logged more than 23 minutes since March 7.
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Nets' Nic Claxton: Non-factor in loss Tuesday
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Claxton had four points (1-3 FG, 2-2 FT), four rebounds and three assists across 22 minutes during Tuesday's 117-86 loss to the Hornets.
Claxton's turned in another underwhelming performance. Despite being a regular fixture in the starting lineup, he has been outside the top 250 in 14 games over the past month. During that time, he has averaged just 8.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.0 blocks. At this point, he is nowhere near being a must-roster player.
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Nets' Nic Claxton: Absent from injury report
Rotowire
Claxton (rest) is off the injury report for Monday's game against Portland, per C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News.
After missing Sunday's loss to the Kings, Claxton is set to return to the court Monday. The rebuilding Nets are beginning to dial back Claxton's workload, with the big man averaging 7.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.8 blocks in 21.2 minutes per tilt over his last six games.
