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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.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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.
Source: Chicago Bulls
Source: Chicago 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.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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.
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Source: Joel Lorenzi
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.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
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.
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Matas Buzelis Adds Strength Ahead of Year 3
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis told Cousins with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady that he added roughly 12 pounds this offseason and hired a personal chef to help keep the weight on. Bulls On SI's Elias Schuster noted that Buzelis wants to play through more contact and cut down on his three-point volume after taking 6.4 attempts per game last season. The 21-year-old nearly doubled his scoring in Year 2, averaging 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 29.2 minutes while shooting 46.3 percent from the field. The added strength could help his finishing and rebounding, though Chicago's frontcourt now includes rookie Caleb Wilson and Nicolas Claxton. Buzelis still has breakout appeal, but the Bulls' crowded rotation keeps his fantasy ceiling tied to minutes.
Source: Elias Schuster
Source: Elias Schuster
Bulls Try to Move Patrick Williams
Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams is reportedly being shopped, with the team willing to attach draft compensation to move his contract, per Evan Sidery. Williams, 24, has three years left on the five-year, $90 million extension he signed in 2024, including an $18 million player option for 2028-29. Moving him would give Chicago more flexibility amid its reported interest in the Clippers' restricted free-agent Bennedict Mathurin, though that pursuit may not be as aggressive as first believed. Williams posted career lows of 7.0 points and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 34.7 percent from three last season, leaving him off the redraft radar unless a new team gives him a cleaner role.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Jalen Smith Emerges as Lakers Center-Depth Target
Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith has been listed by The Athletic's Dan Woike as one of the Lakers' center-depth targets, while NBA insider Evan Sidery has floated a framework that would send one of Jake LaRavia or Jaden Hardy, plus Dalton Knecht and second-round picks, to Chicago for Smith. Los Angeles has Kevon Looney behind starter Walker Kessler, but Smith would add a different look as a rebounding big who can space the floor next to Luka Dončić. The fantasy catch is role. Smith averaged 10.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists last season, but he would likely be a backup five in Los Angeles, just as he currently sits behind Nicolas Claxton in Chicago. The right-calf issue that ended last season adds some availability risk, leaving Smith as a deep-league option only if his minutes open up.
Source: Evan Sidery
Source: Evan Sidery
Noa Essengue Won't Play Due to Thumb Soreness
Chicago Bulls forward/center Noa Essengue (thumb) won't suit up for Friday's Summer League contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Essengue is dealing with right thumb soreness, so the team will hold him out of this exhibition contest. The Bulls are being cautious here, but there's no reason to believe that Essengue won't be ready to go by training camp. Essengue only played in two games for the Bulls before having season-ending shoulder surgery last year. The organization believes that the former No. 12 overall pick can be a key contributor down the road. The expectation is that Essengue will get a fair chance to prove himself on the rebuilding Bulls this upcoming season.
Source: K.C. Johnson
Source: K.C. Johnson
Caleb Wilson Closes Vegas Run With 21 Points Against Lakers
Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson finished with 21 points on 7-for-15 shooting in Thursday's 105-82 Summer League loss to the Lakers, adding eight rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block over 24 minutes. The No. 4 pick wrapped his Vegas run averaging 23.5 points and 7.3 rebounds across four games, a stretch that opened with a 35-point debut built on 7-for-11 from deep. His jumper cooled from there, and he hit just 1-for-6 on Thursday while Chicago shot 3-for-33 as a team from three-point range. Wilson also coughed up eight turnovers. He has the usage and a rebuilding roster around him to post real rookie numbers right away, but the ball security has to tighten before those minutes fully pay off.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Caleb Wilson Scores 21 Points in Thursday's Loss
Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson continues to play big minutes during the Summer League. On Thursday, Wilson finished with 21 points (7-of-15 FGs), eight rebounds, and two assists in the loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The biggest problem for Wilson was his eight turnovers on the day. It's only the Summer League, but the rookie forward can't be making that many mistakes at the professional level. The rebuilding Bulls are going to give Wilson plenty of chances during his rookie season. Fantasy managers could get good scoring production, but might also get eight-turnover games as well.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
