Chicago Bulls head coach Tiago Splitter delivered a concerning update on newly acquired center Nic Claxton, stating the veteran will be "out a while" with a hamstring injury. This news throws his status for the season opener into serious question as the team prepares for its next preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 16. The Bulls are coming off a 125-104 preseason win over the Milwaukee Bucks on October 14, but Claxton's absence looms large over the frontcourt.
Claxton suffered what was initially described as a tweaked hamstring on October 5. The original plan was to reevaluate him after two weeks, a timeline that would have placed his check-up right around the start of the regular season. Coach Splitter's latest comments, however, are not optimistic. He indicated Claxton's recovery "could cut into the start" of the 2026-2027 campaign. The 27-year-old big man has been sidelined throughout training camp, preventing him from integrating with his new teammates on the court.
The Bulls acquired Claxton from the Brooklyn Nets in a four-team trade back in early July. He brings 380 games of NBA experience to Chicago, including 297 starts. For his career, Claxton averages 10.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting an efficient 62.2% from the field. His defensive presence and athleticism in the paint were seen as key additions for a Bulls team looking to add strength.
Claxton's extended absence exacerbates existing frontcourt issues during the preseason. The team's top four centers have each missed at least one exhibition game. This has forced Splitter to experiment with lineups he didn't expect to use until later. The Bulls' preseason results have been a mixed bag, featuring a 124-117 win over Phoenix on October 7, followed by close losses to Memphis and Denver, and the recent victory over Milwaukee.
Having a disrupted rotation makes it difficult to build chemistry and establish defensive schemes. Backup point guard Tre Jones also missed the first two preseason games with a hip issue, though he returned for about 10 minutes against Denver on October 11. Splitter has emphasized how important a healthy Jones is for the team's development. The same logic applies doubly to the center position, where the Bulls are counting on Claxton's physicality.
The immediate focus is the final preseason contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves at home on October 16. After that, the attention shifts squarely to the regular season opener and whether Claxton will be available. Without him, the Bulls will lean more heavily on Zach Collins, who has also dealt with injury questions this preseason but appears closer to a return.
Collins' health is now even more important. The team re-signed him precisely to provide stability and depth in the frontcourt. How Splitter manages the center minutes in the early season could significantly impact the Bulls' defensive rating and rebounding. Fans can track the team's upcoming schedule and roster updates on our schedule and injuries pages. The hope is that Claxton's "while" is measured in weeks, not months, so he can quickly become the defensive anchor Chicago traded for.
