Around the Beat: Wilson's Debut and Claxton's Ticking Clock

By the Bulls Nightly Desk · Thursday, October 8

Chicago beat Phoenix in the preseason opener behind a 15-point debut from Caleb Wilson, and local outlets spent the days since arguing about what the comeback actually revealed. The bigger thread running through the coverage is Nic Claxton's hamstring and whether it costs him the start of the regular season.

Bulls Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

A comeback to open. The Bulls trailed by 15 before beating Phoenix 124-117 on October 7. Bulls.com and ESPN both ran the highlight reel, and the Sun-Times' Joe Cowley zeroed in on Caleb Wilson's debut: 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting, delivered with the bravado Cowley said the rookie carried onto the floor.

Physicality as the standard. Pippen Ain't Easy's Morris Bankston called physicality an aspirational identity for this group, pointing to the 14-0 Suns run that opened the game. That stretch is real: Phoenix led by as many as 15 before Chicago's bench, led by Leonard Miller's plus-four and Tobe Awaka's 11 boards, turned the game.

Claxton's tight window. Cowley wrote that Claxton's hamstring strain puts the start of the season in doubt. Claxton's own listed return date is October 21, the same day as the opener in Toronto, which backs up the concern. Pippen Ain't Easy framed the absence as a trial run for the frontcourt rotation.

Swain, a disputed case. G.C. Bellchamber argued the Bulls may need to pause Dailyn Swain's rookie minutes. The box score cuts the other way: Swain logged 10 points and six assists in 22 minutes against Phoenix, finishing plus-six, the third-best mark on the team that night.

Buzelis under watch. Cowley wrote that Matas Buzelis is having his patience tested; Bankston added that his words stop mattering once the game starts. Buzelis finished with 14 points but missed all six three-point attempts, and Wilson's arrival only adds competition for frontcourt minutes.

New names, old doubts. Bulls.com confirmed Jordan Hawkins' deal is official, matching the agreement reported October 5. Elsewhere, Tyler Watts wrote that other teams gave up on Buddy Hield for reasons the Bulls are about to learn, and Morris Bankston compared rookie Jaylin Sellers' path to Jamal Shead's.

On deck The Grizzlies visit the United Center on October 9, carried on NBA TV, the second stop of Chicago's preseason slate before road trips to Denver and Milwaukee later in the month.

Is Nic Claxton going to be ready for the Bulls' season opener?

It is uncertain. His hamstring strain carries a return estimate of October 21, the same date as the opener in Toronto, which is why the Sun-Times called the timeline in doubt.

Did the Bulls win their preseason opener against the Suns?

Yes. Chicago beat Phoenix 124-117 on October 7 after trailing by 15, with Caleb Wilson scoring 15 points in his debut.