Grant Nelson had a brace on his left leg as he spoke to reporters in Alabama basketball’s locker room in Cleveland. The Crimson Tide forward was injured against Florida, and could miss UA’s NCAA Tournament first-round matchup with Robert Morris.

Alabama head coach Nate Oats said before the trip to Cleveland that Nelson could miss the first game of the Big Dance. Nelson said the same as the Tide prepared for practice.

“Right now, still a game-time decision,” Nelson told reporters in the locker room. “We’ll see.”

Alabama faces the Horizon League tournament champion Colonials Friday to begin the NCAA Tournament. The Crimson Tide drew a No. 2 seed, after it lost to Florida in the SEC Tournament semifinals.

Nelson checked out of that game late in the first half due to the knee injury. In his absence, Alabama fell apart, allowing the Gators to score a blowout victory in the second half.

He wore a knee brace on the left leg to get shots up as UA practiced Thursday.

“Just to get to get to this point, it obviously sucks facing an injury right now,” Nelson said. “But I’m gonna do what I can to get out there tomorrow.”

During his Thursday press conference, Oats reiterated that Nelson is day-to-day, but was not participating in live basketball during practice.

“Grant wants to play,” Oats said. “He’s a competitor. He played great in the NCAA Tournament last year. It’ll end up being a game-time decision based on what he feels like in the morning, but if he does end up playing, he won’t have practiced live up until then.

“I think it’s looking a little better Sunday, obviously, then maybe Friday, but there’s a chance he could play. They’re going to wait to make a decision and see what it looks like in the morning.”

Alabama and Robert Morris will tip off at 11:40 a.m. CT Friday, with the winner playing either Vanderbilt or Saint Mary’s on Sunday. Alabama’s game will be aired on TruTV.