# Nic Claxton expected to be only Bull not available to start season

> Bulls' Nic Claxton misses start with hamstring injury as team prepares for season.
- Title: Nic Claxton expected to be only Bull not available to start…
- Summary: Bulls' Nic Claxton misses start with hamstring injury as team prepares for season. Chicago Bulls' Nic Claxton will not start season due to hamstring injury…
- Keywords: nic claxton, chicago bulls, tiago splitter, hamstring injury, preseason, nba, zach collins, tobe awaka, isaac okoro, leonard miller, milwaukee bucks, news
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2026/10/16/nic-claxton-chicago-bulls-tiago-splitter-zach-collins-tobe-awaka-isaac-okoro-leonard-miller-milwaukee-bucks
- Published: 2026-10-17T00:37:23+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nic claxton, chicago bulls, tiago splitter, hamstring injury, preseason, nba, zach collins, tobe awaka, isaac okoro, leonard miller, milwaukee bucks, news
## Bulls' injury status
The Bulls will be close to 100% healthy when they open the season Wednesday at the Raptors. Only center Nic Claxton, who’s nursing a hamstring injury, won’t be ready.
## Claxton's injury progress
Coach Tiago Splitter said Claxton is ramping up basketball activities but the injury is dangerous with a high chance of reoccurrence.
## Claxton's injury history
Claxton suffered the hamstring injury during a training-camp practice early this month.
## Other injured players
Forwards Tobe Awaka and Isaac Okoro have been out with knee injuries, joining Zach Collins on the sideline.
## Splitter's coaching focus
Splitter emphasized rebounding, ball security, offensive crashes, and moving the ball side to side as key improvements.
## Splitter's rotation plan
Splitter expects a nine-to-10-man rotation when everyone is available to run the team.
## Giddey's video channel
Bulls guard Josh Giddey posts game breakdown videos on YouTube, analyzing his plays from a point guard perspective.
## Leonard Miller's performance
Forward Leonard Miller led the Bulls in preseason scoring with 17.5 points per game but Splitter says he has more to prove.
## Game time change
The Bulls' game next Friday at the Bucks was moved to 3 p.m. from 7 due to World Series conflict.
## Key takeaway

Chicago Bulls' Nic Claxton will not start season due to hamstring injury, while team aims for 100% health by Wednesday's opener.