Karlo Matkovic News, Rumors, Updates - New Orleans Pelicans

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

Ruled out Thursday Matkovic (back) is out for Thursday's game against Portland.

Impact The 2022 second-rounder is sitting out Thursday due to lower-back spasms, and a short turnaround awaits him Friday in Sacramento versus the Kings. Matkovic's absence could get DeAndre Jordan back into the center rotation, also opening up more playing time Yves Missi and Derik Queen.

APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Thursday Matkovic (back) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against Portland.

Impact Matkovic is dealing with lower-back spasms and could miss his first game since March 3. If the 25-year-old big man is unable to suit up, Derik Queen and DeAndre Jordan would be candidates to see increased playing time.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Plays well off bench Matkovic ended with 12 points (5-6 FG, 2-2 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist in 23 minutes during Tuesday's 121-116 loss to the Knicks.

Impact This was a solid showing for Matkovic, but with the Pelicans no longer in the mix for a playoff spot, it will be interesting to see if the team looks to get Derik Queen more involved at the expense of Matkovic. The veteran holds averages of 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per contest this season.

MARCH 25 • ROTOWIRE

Karlo Matkovic throws down 180 alley oop slam dunk #pelicans #cavaliers #highlights

MARCH 22 • YOUTUBE

Derik Queen connects w/ Karlo Matkovic for alley-oop #pelicans #cavaliers #highlights

MARCH 22 • YOUTUBE

Saddiq➡️Fears➡️Karlo Matkovic DUNK! #pelicans #nba #shorts

MARCH 19 • YOUTUBE

Pelicans' rising prospect is making a strong case to be part of their future Karlo Matkovic is quietly emerging as a key piece for the Pelicans, making a strong case to be part of the team's long-term future.

MARCH 18 • PELICANDEBRIEF.COM

Posts first double-double Matkovic chipped in 13 points (5-7 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 1-1 FT), 10 rebounds, one assist and one steal across 20 minutes during Monday's 129-111 win over Dallas.

Impact Matkovic nabbed his first double-double of the year, and he's resurfaced in the Pelicans' rotation for six straight games after falling out of the mix. New Orleans appears to be content with riding a hot-hand approach at center between Yves Missi, Derik Queen and Matkovic. That said, Matkovic hasn't drawn a start since Jan. 7 and might remain tough to trust in fantasy lineups in this timeshare.

MARCH 17 • ROTOWIRE

Zion Williamson scores 27 points to lead the Pelicans past the Mavericks 129-111

Zion Williamson scored 27 points and the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the injury-depleted Dallas Mavericks 129-111

MARCH 17 • Associated Press

Left out of rotation Matkovic (coach's decision) went unused off the bench Tuesday in the Pelicans' 110-101 loss to the Lakers.

Impact For the first time since Dec. 31, Matkovic failed to see any run off the bench, ending a streak of 27 consecutive appearances during which he shot 62.2 percent from the field and averaged 6.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.1 blocks and 0.9 assists in 15.9 minutes per game. Matkovic's absence from the rotation was a byproduct of of interim head coach James Borrego's decision to restructure the starting lineup. Borrego went with a smaller starting five featuring Zion Williamson at center, resulting in DeAndre Jordan moving to the bench and serving as one of the Pelicans' backup big men along with Derik Queen and Yves Missi.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Karlo Matkovic throws down alley-oop jam #pelicans #nba #highlights

MARCH 1 • YOUTUBE

Fares well off bench Matkovic finished with 10 points (4-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal across 18 minutes during Tuesday's 113-109 win over the Warriors.

Impact Matkovic recorded a season-high three blocks in the win, providing a big lift off the bench on both sides of the floor. His workloads haven't been large enough for him to make a consistent impact in fantasy, however. Over his last seven games, he's averaging 16.6 minutes with 7.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.1 three-pointers.

FEBRUARY 25 • ROTOWIRE

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Zion Williamson scores 27 points to lead the Pelicans past the Mavericks 129-111