Branden Carlson News, Rumors, Updates - Oklahoma City Thunder

Out for Sunday Carlson (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Mavericks

Impact Carlson will miss a third consecutive contest after exiting Wednesday's game against the Pistons due to low back soreness. The second-year center has struggled with back issues recently, as he also missed the final game before the All-Star break due to spasms in the same area. With Carlson sidelined, Oklahoma City will continue to lean on Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein to handle the bulk of the minutes in the frontcourt.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Remaining sidelined Carlson (back) is out for Friday's game against the Nuggets, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

Impact 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.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Won't return Wednesday Carlson won't return to Wednesday's game against the Pistons due to low back soreness, Nick Crain of Forbes.com reports.

Impact Carlson tweaked his back during the first quarter and will end his evening with four points (2-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt), four rebounds, two assists and one turnover in four minutes. For now, Carlson should be considered questionable to face the Nuggets on Friday.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Off injury report Carlson (back) isn't listed on the injury report for Friday's game against the Nets.

Impact 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.

FEBRUARY 19 • ROTOWIRE

Out Thursday Carlson is out for Thursday's game against the Bucks due to lower-back spasms.

Impact Carlson has eight days to rest up before the Feb. 20 matchup against the Nets. His absence should have a negligible impact on the Oklahoma City rotation Thursday, though.

FEBRUARY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Defending champion Thunder back on track at midpoint after beating Spurs for 1st time in 4 meetings

The Oklahoma City Thunder have regained their form, boasting a 34-7 record at the season's halfway point

JANUARY 14 • Associated Press

Out of starting lineup Carlson is not in the Thunder's starting lineup against the Heat on Sunday, Brandon Rahbar of DailyThunder.com reports.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Friday vs. Memphis Carlson is in the Thunder's starting lineup against the Grizzlies on Friday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

Impact Carlson will draw the start Friday due to the absences of Chet Holmgren (lower leg), Isaiah Hartenstein (soleus) and Jaylin Williams (heel). It'll be Carlson's second start of the season, with his first taking place Dec. 22 against Memphis, when he logged 11 points (4-7 FG, 3-6 3Pt), three rebounds and two assists over 25 minutes.

JANUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

First double-double of season 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.

Impact 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.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Branden Carlson Gives Mark Daigneault Another Option Off the Bench Oklahoma City’s impressive depth has been on display all season long. With the amount of injuries up and down the roster, there have been pl...

JANUARY 2 • SI.COM

Expanded role Wednesday Carlson had 12 points (5-9 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 0-2 FT), seven rebounds, one assist and one block in 20 minutes during Wednesday's 124-95 win over the Trail Blazers.

Impact Carlson saw some decent run at center in the absences of both Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) and Jaylin Williams (heel) on Wednesday. His role hinges largely upon the availability of Oklahoma City's key players, which will be something to monitor on the Thunder's injury report prior to Friday's clash in Golden State.

JANUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Branden Carlson the team's approach and different skill-sets | Postgame Media | December 31, 2025

JANUARY 1 • YOUTUBE

Role evaporates Tuesday Carlson produced one assist in two minutes during Tuesday's 130-110 loss to the Spurs.

Impact Carlson barely touched the floor Tuesday, with his role severely impacted by the return of both Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. While Carlson has shown some promise to begin his career, it appears as though he is a long way from being considered a viable fantasy asset, outside of dynasty formats.

DECEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Sliding to second unit Carlson won't start against the Spurs on Tuesday, Clemente Almanza of USA Today reports.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Spurs play the Thunder on 3-game win streak

San Antonio hosts Oklahoma City looking to prolong its three-game win streak

DECEMBER 23, 2025 • Associated Press

Gilgeous-Alexander scores 31, Thunder rebound from 2 losses in 3 games to beat Grizzlies 119-103

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points, and the Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back after two losses in three games to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 119-103 on Monday night in a matc...

DECEMBER 23, 2025 • Associated Press

Drawing first start of season Carlson is starting Monday's game against the Grizzlies, Rylan Stiles of SI.com reports.

Impact Carlson will get his first crack with the first unit due to the absences of Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) and Jaylin Williams (heel). Carlson is averaging 4.9 points and 2.3 rebounds in 10.3 minutes over 18 appearances this season but should be in store for more chances to make an impact Monday night.

DECEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Strong showing off bench 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.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Thunder improve to 23-1 with 15th straight victory, routing Jazz 131-101

Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams each scored 25 points and the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder improved to 23-1 with their 15th straight victory, routing the Utah Jazz 131...

DECEMBER 8, 2025 • Associated Press

Thunder host Timberwolves Wednesday for NBA Cup group stage game

The Oklahoma City Thunder play the Minnesota Timberwolves in an NBA Cup in-season tournament group play matchup

NOVEMBER 25, 2025 • Associated Press

Fares well off bench 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.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Scores double digits in win 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.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

OKC Thunder Full Media Availability | Post Game vs New Orleans Pelicans | November 2, 2025

NOVEMBER 3, 2025 • YOUTUBE

OKC Thunder Full Media Availability | Post Game at Milwaukee Bucks | Preseason | October 14, 2025

OCTOBER 15, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Nears double-double in win 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.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Defending champion Thunder back on track at midpoint after beating Spurs for 1st time in 4 meetings

Spurs play the Thunder on 3-game win streak

Gilgeous-Alexander scores 31, Thunder rebound from 2 losses in 3 games to beat Grizzlies 119-103

Thunder improve to 23-1 with 15th straight victory, routing Jazz 131-101

Thunder host Timberwolves Wednesday for NBA Cup group stage game