Bulls’ Tiago Splitter throws cold water on preseason Nic Claxton return appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago Bulls had to go through the preseason without Nic Claxton. The newly acquired big man has been out with a hamstring injury sustained during practice. As a result, the team placed him on a 2-week evaluation.
On Friday, the Bulls will close out the preseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves before the regular season starts on October 21. However, Claxton, Zach Collins, Issac Okoro, and Tobe Awaka were out, according to head coach Tiago Splitter.
But Splitter said during the pre-game presser that 3 of those players are on the upswing, except for Claxton, per Will Gottlieb of CHGO Bulls.
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Collins is out with a soft-tissue injury to his toe. Meanwhile, Okoro is out with a quadriceps contusion. Awaka is out with knee inflammation. It remains unclear when Claxton is expected to return. In his absence, Jalen Smith has taken over as the big man and has scored in double figures against the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks. But with Collins possibly returning sooner, they have a substitute big man in the secondary unit.
The Bulls acquired Nic Claxton in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets in July. More than anything, he brings a trifecta of size, strength, and rim protection the Bulls have lacked for some time. Additionally, Claxton can space the floor and work some magic in transition. Claxton also has a mean pick-and-roll game that keeps the offense moving.
Last year, he averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game with the Nets over 69 games. He also shot 57.1% from the field.
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