Bulls’ Tobe Awaka day-to-day with knee injury; Claxton ‘out awhile,’ Collins progressing

Chicago Bulls rookie Tobe Awaka is day-to-day with a knee injury he suffered in the preseason game against Memphis, K.C. Johnson reported Tuesday. Awaka did not play in Denver and did not practice on Tuesday.

Coach Tiago Splitter said Zach Collins and Nic Claxton remain out. Collins is progressing, while Claxton will be “out awhile,” according to Johnson’s report. Isaac Okoro also missed Tuesday’s practice but may play Wednesday in Milwaukee.

The update extends a frontcourt crunch the Bulls have managed since the start of training camp. Collins and Claxton have not practiced since camp opened, and the absences have forced Chicago to lean on its depth big men through the preseason.

Awaka, an undrafted rookie, had been part of that fill-in rotation before banging his knee against the Grizzlies. His day-to-day designation leaves his availability for the preseason finale open.