The Bulls host Phoenix on Wednesday and the Grizzlies on Friday before closing the week on the road at Denver and Milwaukee. Chicago arrives rested with no back-to-backs on the slate; the lingering question is health, not fatigue, with Zach Collins and Nic Claxton still working back from injury.
Suns up first. Phoenix visits the United Center Wednesday off Jordan Ott's first season leading the Suns. Phoenix went 45-37 last season with Devin Booker averaging 26.1 points. Center Mark Williams is out for Phoenix with a left shoulder issue, and the Suns arrive on the second game of a two-game road trip with one day of rest.
Bulls catch a break. The schedule treats Chicago gently to open the year: no back-to-backs and two days between Wednesday's opener and Friday's game against the Grizzlies. The Suns, by comparison, are already playing their second game in the past week as part of that two-game road trip.
Collins close to back. Zach Collins carries a right toe injury and is considered questionable for Wednesday. The Bulls' internal estimate has him back for the same game Phoenix visits the United Center, a tight turnaround for a big man nursing a leg issue.
Claxton further out. Nic Claxton's hamstring injury keeps him out longer: his estimated return is October 21, the regular-season opener at Toronto. That means every game this week, from Phoenix through Milwaukee, likely happens without the center Chicago added this summer.
Camp roster keeps turning. Jordan Hawkins joined the Bulls on a two-way contract October 6, a day after Isaiah Stevens left the roster. Camp bodies are still moving two weeks before the opener, and payroll sits at $164.3 million, below the $165.0 million cap line.
Opener closing in. After hosting Phoenix Wednesday, Chicago hosts the Grizzlies Friday, October 9, on NBA TV, then plays at Denver Sunday, October 11, on ESPN. The exhibition schedule closes October 14 at Milwaukee, and the regular season opens October 21 at Toronto, one week later.
When do the Bulls play the Phoenix Suns?
Chicago hosts Phoenix at the United Center on Wednesday, October 7, the first of four exhibition games this week and next.
Is Zach Collins playing against the Suns?
Collins is dealing with a right toe injury and is questionable; the Bulls' own estimate has him back the same night Phoenix visits, October 7.
