Branden Carlson Injury News & Updates

Carlson finished Sunday's 131-101 victory over Utah with 13 points (5-9 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 0-2 FT), six rebounds and one block across 24 minutes off the bench.

Two straight blowout wins, as well as the continued absence of Isaiah Hartenstein (calf), have allowed Carlson to play more than 20 minutes in back-to-back games for the first time this season, and he responded with a solid performance Sunday. The Thunder might be headed for a more competitive contest Wednesday against the Suns, but as long as Hartenstein remains sidelined, Carlson could have some appeal as a DFS punt play.

Carlson supplied seven points (2-5 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-4 FT), four rebounds, two assists and two blocks across 11 minutes during Monday's 126-109 win over the Pelicans.

Carlson hasn't been utilized that much as Oklahoma City's third-string center. Across 10 regular-season appearances, he's averaging 3.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 0.6 blocks in 8.6 minutes per contest.

Carlson ended with 11 points (5-8 FG, 1-4 3Pt), five rebounds and one assist in 20 minutes during Sunday's 137-106 victory over New Orleans.

Sunday marked Carlson's fourth time reaching double digits in scoring in his career, and the reason for his extended playing time was due to Chet Holmgren (back) being ruled out and Ousmane Dieng (calf) leaving the game early. If these respective injuries persist for Holmgren and Dieng, Carlson may find himself in a role as the backup big man to Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams.

Carlson (calf) contributed 17 points (4-8 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 6-8 FT) and nine rebounds across 24 minutes in Tuesday's 116-112 preseason win over the Bucks.

Carlson returned from a three-game absence and led the Thunder's second unit in scoring against Milwaukee. The big man also finished as the team's second-leading rebounder. Carlson is on a two-way contract and is likely to spend most of his time with the G League's Oklahoma City Blue in the 2025-26 campaign.

Carlson (calf) didn't play in Saturday's preseason game against the Pacers.

Carlson continues to nurse a calf injury, which has kept him sidelined during the preseason. The next opportunity for him to suit up will be Tuesday against the Bucks.

Carlson (calf) didn't play in Thursday's preseason game against the Hornets.

Carlson has now missed back-to-back preseason matchups while tending to a right calf issue. His next chance to take the court will come Saturday against the Pacers.

Carlson won't play in Monday's preseason game against the Mavericks due to right calf soreness, Rylan Stiles of SI.com reports.

Carlson will miss the second half of the club's back-to-back set due to the calf issue, and his next chance to play will come in Thursday's preseason game against the Hornets. The 26-year-old center posted seven points (3-8 FG, 1-6 3Pt), three rebounds, two assists and one steal across 11 minutes in Monday's win over Charlotte.

Carlson closed with 12 points (5-10 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), seven rebounds and two assists across 24 minutes in Saturday's 109-80 Summer League loss to the Hornets.

Carlson delivered a solid showing Thursday despite his team shooting just 31.8 percent from the field. He logged significant minutes throughout Summer League and re-signed with the Thunder on a two-way contract July 8.

Carlson racked up 23 points (9-13 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds and two blocks across 28 minutes in Tuesday's 92-75 Summer League win over the Magic.

Carlson made his Las Vegas Summer League debut Tuesday, finishing as the team's second-leading scorer. The big man tied the game-high mark in three-pointers while matching the team lead in rebounds. He was also the only player on the Thunder to record multiple blocks.

The Thunder re-signed Carlson on a two-way contract Tuesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Carlson is set to remain with the Thunder on another two-way deal after originally signing the same pact with the team in February 2025. The center split time between the NBA and G League last season, appearing in 32 NBA games and averaging 3.8 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.7 blocks on 44.3 percent shooting in 7.7 minutes per contest. His best performance came April 13 against the Pelicans, when he tallied 26 points and 10 rebounds.

Carlson posted 26 points (10-19 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 10 rebounds, three blocks and two assists in 38 minutes during Sunday's 115-100 win over the Pelicans.

Carlson saw a significant role Sunday due to the team holding many rotational players out for the season finale and Jaylin Williams (ankle) going down with injury. In an expanded role, Carlson matched his career high in blocks while setting career marks in points and rebounds and logging his first double-double. Despite the impressive performance, Carlson will likely return to a minimal role as the team turns to postseason play.

Carlson amassed zero points (0-2 FG, 0-2 3Pt) and one assist over two minutes during Tuesday's 136-120 victory over the Lakers.

Carlson was added to the rotation during garbage time, a trend that is all too familiar this season. He has appeared in nine of the past 11 games, with seven of those appearances coming in the dying moments. In 29 games this season, he has averaged 3.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 6.2 minutes per contest.

Carlson registered 16 points (6-10 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 1-3 FT), six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals across 23 minutes during Wednesday's 133-100 victory over the 76ers.

Carlson played at least 20 minutes for the first time in his career, taking advantage of the fact the Thunder limited Chet Holmgren to 23 minutes and held out Isaiah Hartenstein (back) and several other key rotation players due to minor injuries. The Thunder hold a comfortable lead for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, so Carlson could be in line for expanded opportunities over the final few weeks of the regular season while the team looks to preserve its main rotation players for the postseason.

The Thunder signed Carlson to a two-way contract Thursday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

With Ajay Mitchell (toe) having been converted to a standard two-year deal Thursday, the Thunder used their open two-way spot on Carlson. The big man previously signed a one-year deal with the Thunder in November of 2024 before having been waived and signed to two 10-day pacts in January. Carlson has appeared in 14 regular-season outings for Oklahoma City, averaging 3.3 points and 1.8 rebounds across 6.7 minutes per game. The 25-year-old will likely see the majority of his playing time with the G League's Oklahoma City Blue.

Carlson's 10-day contract with the Thunder expired Saturday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

After having his second 10-day deal with the Thunder expire Saturday, Oklahoma City will have to sign him to a rest-of-the-season contract in order to keep him. Across Carlson's 15 appearances for the Thunder this season, he averaged 3.1 points and 1.7 rebounds in 6.3 minutes.

Carlson re-signed Wednesday with the Thunder on a second 10-day contract, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

Carlson was previously waived off the 15-man roster Jan. 7 in anticipation of two-way player Ajay Mitchell being upgraded to a standard contract, but that plan was put on hold after Mitchell suffered a turf toe sprain that will keep him sidelined for multiple months. Once Carlson cleared waivers, the Thunder quickly brought him back in on a 10-day deal to fill the open roster spot. After re-signing to another 10-day pact, Carlson will be in the fold through Jan. 31 before Oklahoma City would have to either sign him to a rest-of-season deal or let him walk. Carlson has appeared in 13 games for the Thunder thus far, averaging 2.8 points and 1.8 rebounds in 6.2 minutes per contest.

Carlson's 10-day contract with the Thunder expired Monday, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.

Carlson had appeared in each of Oklahoma City's last six games, averaging 5.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 9.0 minutes per contest. Unless Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) is cleared to play for the start of the Thunder's back-to-back set Wednesday and Thursday, Oklahoma City will likely look to bring Carlson back on a second 10-day deal to bolster their depth in the frontcourt in the short term.

Carlson signed a 10-day contract with the Thunder on Friday, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.

After being waived by the club on Tuesday, Carlson will likely return for a short-term stint. The Thunder waived the two-way center to open up a spot on the 15-man roster, though he will now have a brief chance to prove why he should stick around. Carlson has appeared in seven games for Oklahoma City this season, and he has averaged 0.6 points and 1.3 rebounds in 3.6 minutes per contest.

The Thunder waived Carlson on Tuesday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

An undrafted center out of Utah, Carlson made seven total appearances for the Thunder with an average of 3.6 minutes per game. The Thunder opened up a 15th roster spot with this move, and could use it to sign Ajay Mitchell to a standard deal.

The Thunder recalled Carlson from the G League's Oklahoma City Blue on Saturday.

Carlson joined the Blue for Saturday's 131-110 loss to the Valley Suns, during which he recorded a team-high 23 points (10-18 FG, 3-8 3Pt), 17 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block across 30 minutes. The 25-year-old big man has appeared in only seven regular-season outings for the Thunder this season, averaging 0.6 points across 3.6 minutes per game.

The Thunder assigned Carlson to the G League's Oklahoma City Blue on Saturday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

Carlson will be available for Saturday's G League matchup with the Valley Suns. However, Carlson will likely rejoin the Thunder ahead of Sunday's NBA contest against the Celtics.

The Thunder recalled Carlson from the G League's Oklahoma City Blue on Friday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

Carlson practiced with the Blue before being subsequently recalled back to the NBA on Friday. The rookie big man is averaging just 4.2 minutes across his six NBA appearances this season.

The Thunder assigned Carlson to the G League's Oklahoma City Blue on Friday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

Carlson recorded one assist in three minutes during Thursday's matchup with the Clippers. However, the rookie big man should continue to receive increased playing time in the G League.

Carlson recorded nine points (3-10 FG, 1-8 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds, two blocks and one assists in 26 minutes during Thursday's 125-120 loss to the G League's Valley Suns. Following the game, the Thunder recalled Carlson from the Oklahoma City Blue, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Carlson will return to the NBA after starting for the Blue in Thursday's G League outing. Carlson is averaging 0.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in 3.7 minutes across his six appearances for the Thunder this season.

The Thunder assigned Carlson to the G League's Oklahoma City Blue on Thursday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

Carlson will return to the G League after a brief stint in the NBA. Carlson is averaging 14.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 blocks in 24.0 minutes across three appearances for the Blue.

The Thunder recalled Carlson from the G League's Oklahoma City Blue on Monday, Andrew Schlecht of The Athletic reports.

Carlson spent time with the Blue earlier Monday to get some practice reps in, but he'll be available for the Thunder's next game Tuesday versus the Timberwolves.

Carlson (concussion) recorded zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt), one rebound and one turnover while playing the final four minutes of Sunday's 130-106 win over the Grizzlies.

Carlson hadn't played for the Thunder or the G League's Oklahoma City Blue since Dec. 10 after entering the concussion protocol, but he received the green light to suit up Sunday after having missed the NBA club's last three contests. His appearance was contained to the waning minutes of a blowout, and the rookie will likely continue to see most of his playing time with the Thunder in such scenarios throughout the season.

Carlson (concussion) isn't listed on the injury report for Sunday's game against the Grizzlies.

Carlson missed three straight games due to a concussion but should suit up Sunday. However, it's unlikely the rookie sees any playing time, as he's made only four NBA appearances this season.

Carlson (concussion) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Charlotte.

Carlson is set to miss his sixth straight game while in the league's concussion protocols, and a timeline for his return is uncertain. His next opportunity to play will be Sunday against the Grizzlies.

Carlson (concussion) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Pacers.

Carlson will miss a second straight game due to a concussion. However, he wasn't part of the rotation before suffering the injury, so his absence shouldn't have any fantasy impact.

Carlson (concussion) won't play Monday against the Wizards.

Carlson has only five NBA appearances under his belt with an average of 3.6 minutes per contest.

Carlson ended with no counting stats in one minute during Tuesday's 118-104 victory over Dallas.

Carlson appeared for just the fifth time this season, with all but one appearance coming in garbage time. Despite the fact the Thunder currently have just one reliable center option, Carlson has been unable to force his way into the rotation, with the team opting to run with a small-ball lineup whenever Isaiah Hartenstein isn't on the floor.

The Thunder recalled Carlson from the G League on Friday.

Carlson signed a one-year deal with Oklahoma City on Nov. 16, but he's yet to appear in an NBA game. With Isaiah Hartenstein back in the fold, there likely won't be many minutes available for Carlson.

The Thunder assigned Carlson to the Oklahoma City Blue of the G League on Thursday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

Carlson has yet to play any NBA minutes with the Thunder since signing with the team last week. However, he should receive increased playing time in the G League.

The Thunder signed Carlson to a contract Saturday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

Carlson made three appearances with the Raptors 905 of the G League and averaged 14.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 blocks in 31.6 minutes before being signed by the Thunder. In Oklahoma City, Carlson will likely compete for depth minutes in the frontcourt.

The Raptors waived Carlson on Saturday, Blake Murphy of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Carlson was initially signed to a two-way contract but has been let go by the Raptors. He will enter the 2024-25 campaign as a free agent.

Carlson and the Raptors agreed to a two-way contract Thursday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

A 7-footer out of Utah, Carlson brings a lot of size to the table and had a successful collegiate career. During his final campaign at Utah, Carlson posted averages of 17.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.5 blocks. As a rookie, Carlson is likely to spend the bulk of his time in the G League to get some reps.