Branden Carlson was cleared on the official injury report Tuesday afternoon after a week on it with a concussion. The Trail Blazers center is available for Tuesday night's game at the Lakers.
What happened
Branden Carlson has been cleared. The Trail Blazers center moved to that status on the official injury report at 4:17 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Oct. 27. His previous status was day-to-day. He first went on the report with a concussion on Tuesday, Oct. 20, when he was listed out. On Thursday, Oct. 22, he moved from out to day-to-day and then back to out the same day. He returned to day-to-day on Saturday, Oct. 24. The latest update has no further detail and no comment.
What it means for the Trail Blazers
Portland plays at the Lakers on Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. The Trail Blazers are 2-0, the fifth seed, and have won two straight. Both wins came without Carlson. He has not played this season, so he has no numbers yet and the team has no record with him. Donovan Clingan has played the center minutes, averaging 9.5 points in 20.6 minutes. Deni Avdija leads the rotation at 30.5 minutes and 22.0 points. Damian Lillard averages 22.0 points in 28.3 minutes. Toumani Camara averages 18.5 points in 24.9 minutes, and Sidy Cissoko 9.0 points in 25.8 minutes.
What to watch
The next injury report before tipoff will show whether Carlson keeps the cleared status. Any minutes plan for his first game has not been announced. Portland has other names on the report. Scoot Henderson is day-to-day with a left ankle issue. He has averaged 9.5 points in 19.9 minutes. Chris Youngblood is out with a left ankle issue, and Shaedon Sharpe is out with a right knee issue. The Trail Blazers play at the Lakers on Tuesday night.
Is Branden Carlson playing at the Lakers on Tuesday?
He is cleared on the official injury report for Tuesday's 11 p.m. ET game at the Lakers. His minutes have not been announced.
When will Branden Carlson be back?
He has been cleared as of Tuesday, Oct. 27. He was first listed out with a concussion on Oct. 20 and has not played yet this season.