Branden Carlson News, Rumors, Updates - Portland Trail Blazers

Branden Carlson is wasting no time reminding Thunder of painful roster inevitability The former OKC Thunder center is already turning heads at Blazers camp, and it's only the start of a disheartening trend.

OCTOBER 3 • THUNDEROUSINTENTIONS.COM

Branden Carlson's standout practice gives Micah Nori a double-big experiment Micah Nori should experiment with Branden Carlson at power forward after his standout practice with the Trail Blazers.

SEPTEMBER 30 • RIPCITYPROJECT.COM

Branden Carlson needed one practice to look like a steal for Blazers Branden Carlson's standout first practice makes the Trail Blazers' offseason signing look even better.

SEPTEMBER 30 • RIPCITYPROJECT.COM

What Branden Carlson's Departure Means for OKC Thunder Oklahoma City’s two-way big man departed in free agency, but it shouldn’t cause many issues for the Thunder. With the NBA offseason underway...

JULY 3 • SI.COM

Blazers' next move becomes clear after Branden Carlson signing The Portland Trail Blazers must address their forward depth after signing big man Branden Carlson.

JULY 2 • RIPCITYPROJECT.COM

Shrewd Branden Carlson signing aligns Blazers with latest NBA trend Branden Carlson's versatility in the frontcourt should unlock double-big lineup possibilities for the Trail Blazers.

JULY 1 • RIPCITYPROJECT.COM

Signing Branden Carlson Could Lead Blazers to Blockbuster Trade The Portland Trail Blazers are signing a reserve big man prospect in Branden Carlson, but it could lead to a domino effect for a trade invol...

JULY 1 • SI.COM

Signs with Portland Carlson signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Trail Blazers on Tuesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Impact Carlson spent the first two years of his career in the Thunder organization, making four starts across 74 regular-season appearances. He averaged 5.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.6 blocks on 11.6 minutes per game in 2025-26, and he will add depth at the center position. He's not expected to be a major factor in most fantasy formats, however, as he'll probably compete with Yang Hansen and Sidy Cissoko for the third-string center role behind Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams.

JUNE 30 • ROTOWIRE

Back to bench for Game 1 Carlson is not in the Thunder's starting lineup against the Suns for Game 1 on Sunday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

Impact 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.

APRIL 19 • ROTOWIRE

Oklahoma City hosts Phoenix to start playoffs

The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Phoenix Suns to start the Western Conference first round

APRIL 19 • Associated Press

Double-double in defeat 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.

Impact 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).

APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE

Rare double-double Friday 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.

Impact 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.

APRIL 11 • ROTOWIRE

Nuggets win 11th straight, beating Thunder 127-107 in battle of reserves as playoffs approach

Jonas Valanciunas had season highs of 23 points and 17 rebounds, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 127-107 in a battle of reserves

APRIL 11 • Associated Press

Starting versus Denver Carlson will start in Friday's game against Denver, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.

Impact 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.

APRIL 11 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to action Carlson had zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and one rebound over two minutes during Monday's 123-103 victory over the 76ers.

Impact Carlson returned from an 11-game absence and was once again used as an emergency depth piece. As long as the Thunder are close to full strength, there's not much fantasy appeal here.

MARCH 24 • ROTOWIRE

Not listed on injury report Carlson (back) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Monday's game in Philadelphia.

Impact While Carlson will be available for Monday's game, so will the rest of the Thunder centers, so there are no guarantees he'll be able to find minutes in the rotation. In 35 appearances for the Thunder this season, the second-year center has averaged 4.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per contest.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Saturday Carlson (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Washington.

Impact 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.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

Absence streak to continue Carlson (back) is out for Wednesday's game against the Nets.

Impact Carlson will miss a 10th consecutive contest due to a back strain. The second-year big man appears to have no timetable for a return, but his next chance to play comes Friday in Washington against the Wizards.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Another absence coming Carlson (back) is out for Tuesday's game against the Magic.

Impact 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.

MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Carlson (back) is out for Sunday's game against the Timberwolves.

Impact Carlson will miss an eighth consecutive game due to a back strain. He doesn't have a concrete date to return to action, but the big man has a minor role in the rotation, so his absence shouldn't affect many fantasy decisions. His next chance to play will come Tuesday against the Magic.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Thursday Carlson (back) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Celtics.

Impact Carlson has been ruled out for a seventh straight game due to a back strain. With Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) also out, look for Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams to aid Chet Holmgren at the center position. Carlson's next chance to play will come Sunday against Minnesota.

MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Monday Carlson (back) is out for Monday's game against the Nuggets.

Impact Carlson will be inactive for a sixth consecutive game as he nurses a back injury. His absence potentially leaves Jaylin Williams and Kenrich Williams as the only active centers for Monday's contest, as Chet Holmgren (illness, questionable) and Isaiah Hartenstein (calf, out) could both be unavailable as well.

MARCH 8 • ROTOWIRE

Out for Saturday Carlson (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Warriors.

Impact 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.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out again Carlson (back) remains out for Wednesday's game against the Knicks.

Impact Oklahoma City's third-string center will be sidelined for a fourth straight game. His next chance to play comes Saturday against Golden State.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Tuesday Carlson (back) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Bulls.

Impact Carlson will miss a third consecutive game due to a lower-back strain that flared up and forced him to exit early against the Pistons on Feb. 25. The Utah product is averaging 10.7 minutes per contest across 35 appearances with the Thunder this season, so his absence shouldn't significantly impact the rotation. The center's next chance to play will come Wednesday against the Knicks.

MARCH 2 • ROTOWIRE

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Oklahoma City hosts Phoenix to start playoffs

Nuggets win 11th straight, beating Thunder 127-107 in battle of reserves as playoffs approach