Thunder's Branden Carlson: Back to bench for Game 1
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Carlson is not in the Thunder's starting lineup for Sunday's Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series on Sunday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
Carlson started in the Thunder's final two games of the regular season and averaged 24.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 3.0 blocks and 1.0 steals over 39.5 minutes per game. He'll revert to the bench for the Thunder's playoff opener, and he's unlikely to see much playing time in the postseason outside of garbage time.
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Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein: Not listed on injury report
Rotowire
Hartenstein (calf) is not listed on the injury report ahead of Sunday's Game 1 meeting with the Suns.
Hartenstein skipped the Thunder's final two regular-season games to rest his calf, but he'll be back in action Sunday. Hartenstein should start, which will push Branden Carlson back to the second unit.
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Thunder's Branden Carlson: Double-double in defeat
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Carlson totaled 26 points (10-20 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 10 rebounds, five blocks, two steals and one assist over 42 minutes during Sunday's 135-103 loss to the Suns.
With Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) and Jaylin Williams (Achilles) inactive, Carlson started his second consecutive game and excelled, recording his second double-double in as many outings. It marked season-best totals for the Utah product in points, blocks and three-pointers made. He'll close the regular season averaging 5.8 points and 3.0 rebounds in 11.6 minutes across 42 appearances (four starts).
Carlson supplied 23 points (8-18 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 4-4 FT), 12 rebounds, five assists and one block in 37 minutes during Friday's 127-107 loss to Denver.
Carlson moved into the starting lineup for the third time this season, recording his third career double-double. If we rewind almost 12 months to the day, Carlson amassed his first double-double, finding himself in basically an identical situation. With Oklahoma City once again guaranteed the top seed in the Western Conference, it wouldn't be surprising to see Carlson playing big minutes again during Sunday's season finale.
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Thunder's Branden Carlson: Starting versus Denver
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Carlson will start in Friday's game against Denver, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.
With Chet Holmgren (back), Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) and Jaylin Williams (Achilles) ruled out, Carlson will enter the starting lineup. In two starts this season, the 26-year-old has averaged 8.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.5 blocks and 0.5 steals across 20.5 minutes of work.
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Thunder's Branden Carlson: Returns to action
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Carlson (back) recorded zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and one rebound while playing the final 1:50 of Monday's 123-103 victory over the 76ers.
Carlson was cleared to play after missing the Thunder's previous 11 games due to a low back strain, but the second-year center wasn't part of the rotation while the contest was competitive. With the Thunder at full strength in the frontcourt, Carlson's opportunities are likely to be limited to garbage-time scenarios for the foreseeable future.
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Thunder's Branden Carlson: Ruled out for Saturday
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Carlson (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Washington.
Carlson will miss an 11th consecutive contest due to a lower-back strain, and he remains without a clear timetable for a return. He can be considered doubtful for Monday's game against the 76ers until Oklahoma City provides an update on his status.
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Thunder's Branden Carlson: Another absence coming
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Carlson (back) is out for Tuesday's game against the Magic.
Carlson will miss a ninth consecutive game due to a back strain. The second-year big man looks to be out indefinitely, but his next chance to play comes Wednesday against the Nets in Brooklyn.
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Thunder's Branden Carlson: Out for Saturday
Rotowire
Carlson (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Warriors.
This will be the fifth consecutive game on the inactive list for Carlson, and it's not encouraging that he continues to get ruled out a full day in advance of tipoff. For now, he should be viewed as doubtful for Monday's game against the Nuggets.
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Thunder's Branden Carlson: Sitting out again
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Carlson (back) remains out for Wednesday's game against the Knicks.
Oklahoma City's third-string center will be sidelined for a fourth straight game. His next chance to play comes Saturday against Golden State.
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Thunder's Branden Carlson: Out for Sunday
Rotowire
Carlson has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Mavericks due to a lower-back strain.
Carlson will miss a second consecutive contest after exiting Wednesday's loss to the Pistons due to lower-back soreness. The second-year center has struggled with back issues of late, as he also missed the final game before the All-Star break due to back spasms. His absence shouldn't cause any waves in the rotation.
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Thunder's Branden Carlson: Remaining sidelined
Rotowire
Carlson (back) is out for Friday's game against the Nuggets, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
Carlson exited Wednesday's game against Detroit due to low back soreness, and the issue is significant enough to keep him from taking the floor Friday. His next opportunity to play will arrive Sunday in Dallas.
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Thunder's Branden Carlson: Off injury report
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Carlson (back) isn't listed on the injury report for Friday's game against the Nets.
Carlson missed Oklahoma City's final game before the All-Star break due to lower-back spasms but is set to return Friday. The two-way player has appeared in just one game this month and isn't guaranteed to see the floor Friday.
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Thunder's Branden Carlson: Out of starting lineup
Rotowire
Carlson is not in the Thunder's starting lineup against the Heat on Sunday, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.
Carlson drew the start Friday against the Grizzlies and finished with five points, one rebound, one block and one steal over 16 minutes in a 117-116 victory. He will revert to a bench role Sunday after Chet Holmgren (shin) was cleared to return.
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Thunder's Branden Carlson: First double-double of season
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Carlson ended with 15 points (6-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals in 22 minutes off the bench during Friday's 131-94 victory over the Warriors.
The Thunder gave their starters the fourth quarter off in the rout, allowing Carlson and other members of the second unit to get extra run. The 26-year-old center cashed in the opportunity and produced his first double-double of the season. Carlson has seen at least 20 minutes of court time in five of OKC's last 13 games, all in contests the defending champs won by 16 or more points, and in those appearances he's averaging 12.0 points, 6.6 boards, 2.0 threes and 1.6 assists.
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Thunder's Branden Carlson: Sliding to second unit
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Carlson won't start against the Spurs on Tuesday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.
With the Thunder's regular starting five back at full strength, Carlson will move back to the second unit. While he could see the floor due to Jaylin Williams (heel) remaining sidelined, Carlson is not guaranteed significant playing time.
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Thunder's Branden Carlson: Scores double digits in win
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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.
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Thunder's Branden Carlson: Nears double-double in win
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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.
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Thunder's Branden Carlson: Won't play Saturday
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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.
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Thunder's Branden Carlson: Held out Thursday
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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.
