During the 2026 NBA offseason, the Chicago Bulls hoped that Nic Claxton would boost their front court and offer the team some much-needed veteran leadership, but an injury set him back.
When the Philadelphia 76ers hosted the Bulls at the top of the week, Claxton still wasn’t able to offer that kind of value for the rebuilding squad, as he had yet to debut.
Dealing with a hamstring injury, Claxton is slowly working his way back. He was upgraded on the Bulls’ injury report before their November 4 game against the New York Knicks, but ultimately didn’t get the nod to play.
The Bulls kept his status at 50/50 against the 76ers as well. On the injury report, Claxton is listed as questionable.
The veteran center could end up being a game-time decision.
*UPDATE: Bulls will clear Claxton to make his season debut
The Bulls Without Nic Claxton
The Bulls’ season isn’t going well, but they were expected to be one of the Eastern Conference’s rebuilding teams.
Unlike the start of last season, the Bulls aren’t fooling anybody with their record. It’s been a slow start, which features a 1-7 record.
Claxton isn’t going to be some life-saver for Chicago. He has turned in an impressive career so far as a second-round selection from the 2019 NBA Draft, but he hasn’t established himself as a star-level center.
After seven seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, Claxton appeared in 380 games (297 starts), averaging 10.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game.
Without Claxton, the Bulls have been starting Jalen Smith. Once healthy and settled in, Claxton is expected to be the Bulls’ starter as long as he’s on the court.
Throughout his career, Claxton has appeared in 20 games against the 76ers. He averaged 12.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks in games against Philadelphia since 2020.
If Claxton gets the nod to play on Sunday, it would mark the first time since December 23, 2025, that he faces the Sixers. Obviously, it would be his first time as a member of the Bulls.
The Bulls and the 76ers are slated for a 3:30 PM ET tip.
