RADIO
Nic Claxton Active for Debut with 16-20 Minute Restriction
Tiago confirms Claxton is active and available to make his debut. 16-20 minute restriction, he won’t start.
— Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) November 8, 2026
Norman Powell Added to Bulls Injury Report
Norman Powell added to lengthy injury report for first time this season pic.twitter.com/oUJ996m9Fb
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 8, 2026
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.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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
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.
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
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.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
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.
Source: K.C. Johnson
Source: K.C. Johnson
