Trail Blazers center Branden Carlson has been ruled out for Friday's game at Sacramento with a concussion, after briefly being listed as day-to-day. Portland plays the Kings without him, and his expected return date is Oct. 27.
What happened
Branden Carlson is out for Friday's game against the Kings. The injury report changed his status at 8:11 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 22, from day-to-day to out with a concussion. His status has gone back and forth this week. He was listed as out with the concussion on Tuesday, Oct. 20. He was moved to day-to-day on Thursday, and later that night he was ruled out again. The report's comment: "Carlson (concussion) has been ruled out for Friday's game against Sacramento."
What it means for the Trail Blazers
Portland plays at Sacramento on Friday, Oct. 23, at 10 p.m. ET. The Blazers are 1-0, and they won that game without Carlson. They have not played with him yet this season. Last season Carlson averaged 5.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 11.6 minutes over 42 games. In the win without him, Sidy Cissoko led the rotation with 25.1 minutes. Damian Lillard scored 25 points in 23.9 minutes. Donovan Clingan played 20.7 minutes and scored 11. Shaedon Sharpe (right knee) and Chris Youngblood (left ankle) are also out.
What to watch
Carlson's expected return date is Oct. 27. That date could still change, since his status has already moved twice this week. The next injury report will show whether he is cleared or held out longer. For now the Blazers' rotation stays the same as in their opening win, with Cissoko, Clingan and the guards taking the minutes. The game at Sacramento on Friday is the only one he has been ruled out for so far.
Is Branden Carlson playing at the Kings on Friday, Oct. 23?
No. The injury report has ruled him out for Friday's game at Sacramento with a concussion.
When will Branden Carlson be back?
His expected return date is Oct. 27. No other timeline has been announced.