Karlo Matkovic News, Rumors, Updates - New Orleans Pelicans

Pelicans host Grizzlies Friday for NBA Cup group stage matchup

The New Orleans Pelicans face the Memphis Grizzlies in an NBA Cup in-season tournament group play matchup

51 MINS AGO • Associated Press

Chips in 18 in Friday's loss Matkovic had 18 points (7-13 FG, 4-8 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist across 18 minutes during Friday's 115-109 loss to the Timberwolves.

Impact Making his fifth straight start in place of Yves Missi (knee), Matkovic was mainly used as a stretch big, with his three boards being his lowest mark so far during his stint in the starting five. The third-year center is averaging 13.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.6 threes, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks over 22.8 minutes in his new role while shooting 62.5 percent from the floor and a sizzling 56.5 percent (13-for-23) from beyond the arc.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ayo Dosunmu scores 26 points as Timberwolves top Pelicans to stay unbeaten in NBA Cup play

Ayo Dosunmu scored 26 points in the Timberwolves 115-109 victory over the Pelicans on Friday night in New Orleans

5 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Busts out in OT win Matkovic finished Monday's 135-134 overtime win over the Grizzlies with 25 points (9-13 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 2-4 FT), six rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals over 29 minutes.

Impact Matkovic delivered easily his best performance of the season, helping New Orleans to an impressive win over the previously undefeated Memphis. That makes three consecutive starts for Matkovic, during which time he has averaged 15.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 three-pointers and 3.0 combined steals and blocks. It appears as though he has secured himself the starting center spot, at least until Yves Missi returns from a knee injury. For now, he is definitely worth a look, even in standard leagues.

NOVEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Karlo Matkovic Highlights vs. Memphis Grizzlies 11/2/26

NOVEMBER 3 • YOUTUBE

Williamson's 25 points, free throws by Fears, give Pelicans 135-134 win over Grizzlies in overtime

Zion Williamson scored 25 points, including nine in overtime, leading the New Orleans Pelicans to a 135-134 win over the Memphis Grizzlies

NOVEMBER 3 • Associated Press

Grabs 10 boards against Atlanta Matkovic closed Saturday's 121-99 victory over Atlanta with eight points (3-4 FG, 2-2 3Pt), 10 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 18 minutes.

Impact In his second start of the 2026-27 campaign, Matkovic led the Pelicans with a season-high 10 rebounds and was two points shy from recording his first double-double since March 16 against the Mavericks. Yves Missi is recovering from a bone bruise in his left knee and is considered week-to-week, so Matkovic figures to remain in New Orleans' starting lineup for as long as the former is out of action.

NOVEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Thursday Matkovic is in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Kings.

Impact Matkovic will make his first start of the 2026-27 campaign. DeAndre Jordan has drawn starts at center in each of the Pelicans' last two games for the injured Yves Missi (knee), but it'll be Matkovic who gets a look Thursday. He's had a limited impact off the bench through three games, averaging 5.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 11.7 minutes.

OCTOBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Trey Murphy III STEALS it, Karlo Matkovic SLAMS it! 💥

OCTOBER 29 • YOUTUBE

Won't start Friday Matkovic is not listed in the starting lineup for Friday's preseason game against the Wizards.

Impact Matkovic started in Wednesday's 101-97 preseason victory over the Mavericks. However, he will return to the bench for the Pelicans' final exhibition before meeting the Pacers on Opening Night.

OCTOBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Cashes three triples as starter Matkovic contributed 11 points (3-4 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and two rebounds across 18 minutes in Wednesday's 101-97 preseason win over Dallas.

Impact Matkovic made his first start of the preseason after coming off the bench in the first two contests. The 25-year-old did all of his scoring from the field beyond the arc, knocking down a team-high three triples in a winning effort. Across 62 regular-season appearances (two starts) in 2025-26, Matkovic averaged 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per contest.

OCTOBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Productive off bench Matkovic finished with nine points (4-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt) and three rebounds in 12 minutes during Thursday's 128-118 preseason loss to Miami.

Impact Matkovic was productive offensively in limited playing time, converting four of his seven field-goal attempts while adding a three-pointer. The big man faces competition for frontcourt minutes from Yves Missi and Derik Queen, leaving his regular-season role uncertain despite the encouraging preseason showing.

OCTOBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Plays well for Crotia Matkovic recorded 17 points (8-8 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 0-1 FT), one assist and two turnovers in 17 minutes during Croatia's 115-80 win over Latvia in Thursday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.

Impact The 25-year-old showed encouraging progress with New Orleans last season and enters 2026-27 as part of a crowded frontcourt that also includes Derik Queen and Yves Missi. Matkovic's ability to protect the rim while stretching the floor gives him a different skill set than the Pelicans' other young big men, but the competition for minutes could make his role volatile. He'll be a player to monitor during training camp, particularly if New Orleans shows a willingness to use him alongside one of its other centers.

AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE

Karlo Matkovic has a stronger case to start at center than Pelicans fans realize While Yves Missi is the favorite to be the Pelicans' starting center, Karlo Matkovic has a very compelling argument for that role.

AUGUST 22 • PELICANDEBRIEF.COM

Team option picked up The Pelicans announced Thursday that they exercised a third-year option on Matkovic (back).

Impact Matkovic is set to compete with Yves Missi (hand) and Derik Queen for the top center spot in 2026-27. Last regular season, Matkovic averaged 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 14.7 minutes per contest across 62 games while shooting 60.4 percent from the field.

JUNE 25 • ROTOWIRE

The Pelicans may have perfect in-house solution to never-ending center problems The New Orleans Pelicans center solution may be right in front of them in soon-to-be third-year big man Karlo Matkovic.

JUNE 13 • PELICANDEBRIEF.COM

Won't play in season finale Matkovic (back) is out for Sunday's game against the Timberwolves.

Impact Matkovic will sit out the regular-season finale due to a back injury, the same one that sidelined him for the Pelicans' previous five games. The big man was a bench piece all season long and started in just two of his 62 regular-season contests, averaging 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks across 14.7 minutes per contest.

APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Friday Matkovic (back) is out for Friday's game against Boston.

Impact Matkovic will be sidelined for the fifth straight time Friday, and at this point, it would be a surprise to see him suit up for the season finale Sunday.

APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE

Iffy for Friday Matkovic (back) is questionable for Friday's game against Boston.

Impact Matkovic has been sidelined for four straight games due to a back injury, but he'll have a chance to return Friday after being upgraded to questionable. He'll presumably need to prove his health in shootaround and warmups to gain clearance to suit up.

APRIL 9 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Tuesday Matkovic (back) is out for Tuesday's game against the Jazz.

Impact Matkovic will sit out for a fourth straight game despite drawing a questionable tag previously. Consider him questionable for Friday's game against Boston.

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Tuesday Matkovic (back) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's game against Utah.

Impact Matkovic is in danger of missing a fourth consecutive contest due to a lower-back issue. If the big man is ultimately ruled out, Derik Queen and Yves Missi would be candidates to see increased minutes.

APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE

Out Sunday Matkovic (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Magic.

Impact Matkovic will miss a third straight game due to back spasms. In his absence, Derik Queen has been seeing more minutes. Matkovic's next chance to suit up will come Tuesday against the Jazz.

APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable to play Sunday Matkovic (back) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Magic.

Impact Matkovic hasn't played in the Pelicans' last two games, and a decision on his status will be made closer to Sunday's tipoff. The big man is averaging 7.5 points and 4.9 boards per game since the All-Star break, so even if he's cleared to play, his fantasy upside would be fairly low.

APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Friday Matkovic (back) won't play Friday in Sacramento.

Impact This will be Matkovic's second straight game on the sidelines, and for now, he should be considered questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Magic. Matkovic's absence should open up minutes for Derik Queen and Yves Missi.

APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as questionable Matkovic (back) is questionable for Friday's game against the Kings.

Impact Matkovic remains day-to-day after missing Thursday's game against Portland. Yves Missi and Derik Queen could be more involved for the Pelicans if Matkovic is unable to give it a go.

APRIL 3 • ROTOWIRE

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Pelicans host Grizzlies Friday for NBA Cup group stage matchup

Ayo Dosunmu scores 26 points as Timberwolves top Pelicans to stay unbeaten in NBA Cup play

Williamson's 25 points, free throws by Fears, give Pelicans 135-134 win over Grizzlies in overtime