A Hamstring Clock Ticks Before Chicago Plays a Game

By the Bulls Nightly Desk · Tuesday, October 6

Nic Claxton's hamstring has him targeting October 21, the same day as the regular-season opener in Toronto, while Zach Collins is aiming to play Wednesday against the Suns. Camp turnover kept moving too: Isaiah Stevens is gone after three days, and Jordan Hawkins just signed a two-way deal.

Bulls Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Claxton's Timeline. Nic Claxton is day-to-day with a hamstring issue, and Hoops Rumors reported Sunday he will be out at least two weeks. That lines up with October 21, the regular-season opener at Toronto, not Wednesday's game against the Suns.

Collins Ahead of Schedule. Zach Collins, working back from a toe issue, is targeting Wednesday's game against the Suns to return. Claxton's hamstring timeline points to October 21 instead, meaning the center Chicago added this offseason could miss every game before the real one.

Camp Still Turning Over. Isaiah Stevens signed with the Bulls on October 2 and was off the team by October 5, three days later. Jordan Hawkins agreed to a two-way contract the same day Stevens left, the latest swap in a camp roster that has not settled.

Minutes Behind the Numbers. Last season, Patrick Williams averaged 34 minutes a night over his final three games whenever a teammate sat, 14 more than his season mark. Leonard Miller's workload climbed the same way, up to 28.8 minutes a night over his last 10 games. Both numbers show how thin this roster can get.

Jordan Gives Back. Michael Jordan committed $10 million to the University of North Carolina's School of Social Work in honor of his mother, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. It has nothing to do with this roster, but it is still his name attached to the franchise this week.

Games Start Soon. The Chicago Sun-Times put it plainly: the feel-good part of camp is ending, and Chicago has to start playing games. Wednesday against the Suns is the first test, with three more games before the games that actually count.

On deck Chicago has four games left before the season opens: Wednesday vs. Suns, Friday vs. Grizzlies (NBA TV), Oct. 11 at Nuggets (ESPN) and Oct. 14 at Bucks, then October 21 at Toronto for real.

Will Nic Claxton play against the Suns on Wednesday?

No. Claxton is day-to-day with a hamstring issue and is expected to be out at least two weeks, putting his return closer to the October 21 season opener at Toronto.

Is Isaiah Stevens still on the Bulls?

No. Stevens signed with Chicago on October 2 and was off the team by October 5, three days later.