Karlo Matkovic News, Rumors, Updates - New Orleans Pelicans

Tacks two steals in loss Matkovic closed with four points (2-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds, three assists and two steals over 20 minutes during Sunday's 124-106 loss to Golden State.

Impact Matkovic set a season-high in minutes Sunday, which was primarily due to the blowout nature of the game, but he was not able to take advantage. With Zion Williamson (hamstring) also slated to return in the coming days, Matkovic's role could reduce significantly soon.

NOVEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Jose Alvarado finds Karlo Matkovic for the alley-oop #pelicans #lakers #highlights #nbacup

NOVEMBER 15, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Karlo Matkovic on Rim Running Reactions | Pelicans-Trail Blazers Shootaround 11/12/2025

NOVEMBER 12, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Plays well off bench Matkovic registered 13 points (6-7 FG, 1-4 FT), six rebounds, two assists and one block in 15 minutes during Tuesday's 116-112 win over the Hornets.

Impact Yves Missi (illness) missed this contest, and the Pelicans are going to be without Zion Williamson (hamstring) for at least a week. Matkovic and Derik Queen both provided a huge lift off the bench, while DeAndre Jordan never saw the floor. Matkovic will be a player to monitor if his minutes trend up.

NOVEMBER 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Gets garbage-time run Monday Matkovic (back) played the final 3:16 of Monday's 122-90 loss to the Celtics, going scoreless (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and producing no other statistics.

Impact A back injury kept Matkovic sidelined for the first two contests of the season, but after practicing fully Sunday, he was given the green light to suit up Monday. He made his season debut in garbage time of the blowout, with all of Yves Missi, Herbert Jones, Derik Queen and DeAndre Jordan working ahead of him in the Pelicans' big-man rotation. Matkovic's path to playing time won't get any clearer once Zion Williamson (foot) and Kevon Looney (knee) return to action.

OCTOBER 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play Matkovic (back) has been cleared to play in Monday's game against Boston, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Impact Matkovic is all set to make his season debut Monday. With several injuries in the frontcourt, Matkovic does have a decent opportunity to carve out a role for himself.

OCTOBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Boston visits New Orleans after Brown's 41-point game

Boston faces the New Orleans Pelicans after Jaylen Brown scored 41 points in the Celtics' 119-113 loss to the Detroit Pistons

OCTOBER 27, 2025 • Associated Press

Questionable to face Boston Matkovic (back) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against Boston.

Impact Matkovic has yet to debut this season due to spasms in his lower back, though he was a full participant in Sunday's practice. If the big man is unable to suit up against Boston, Derik Queen and DeAndre Jordan are candidates for a bump in minutes.

OCTOBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Logs full practice Sunday Matkovic (back) was a full practice participant Sunday, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Impact Matkovic has yet to appear this season while managing back spasms but seems to be trending toward a return after logging a full practice. The big man averaged 7.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 blocks in 18.8 minutes across 42 regular-season games last year, though his role could shrink with Derik Queen, DeAndre Jordan and Yves Missi (ankle) all in the frontcourt mix.

OCTOBER 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Friday Matkovic (back) won't play in Friday's game against San Antonio.

Impact Matkovic will join Yves Missi (ankle) and Kevon Looney (knee) as a spectator in New Orleans' banged-up frontcourt. Matkovic will be trying to make his first appearance of the season Monday against the Celtics.

OCTOBER 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable vs. Spurs Matkovic (back) is questionable for Friday's game against San Antonio.

Impact Matkovic is looking to make his season debut, but he'll need to overcome back spasms. With Yves Missi (ankle) questionable, Derik Queen would be a candidate for more playing time if Matkovic is out.

OCTOBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Wembanyama leads San Antonio against New Orleans after 40-point game

San Antonio plays the New Orleans Pelicans after Victor Wembanyama scored 40 points in the Spurs' 125-92 win against the Dallas Mavericks

OCTOBER 23, 2025 • Associated Press

Won't play Wednesday Matkovic (elbow) will not play Wednesday against the Grizzlies.

Impact No surprise here, as Matkovic was previously listed as doubtful. Derick Queen (wrist) has the green light to play and could log some minutes behind Yves Missi with Kevon Looney (knee) sidelined.

OCTOBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Doubtful for Wednesday Matkovic (elbow) is doubtful to play in the season opener against the Grizzlies.

Impact Matkovic is trending toward not playing in the first game of the 2025-26 campaign, as he continues to deal with right elbow soreness. New Orleans will lean heavily on Yves Missi and Derik Queen (wrist) in the frontcourt, along with Zion Williamson and Saddiq Bey.

OCTOBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Still not practicing Matkovic (elbow) did not practice Saturday, Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans' official sitereports.

Impact Matkovic has been battling right elbow soreness for nearly a week, putting his status for Opening Night on Oct. 22 in jeopardy. The Pelicans are thin at the center spot due to injuries, so if Matkovic isn't given the green light, the team could utilize smaller lineups.

OCTOBER 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Fails to appear Thursday Matkovic (elbow) didn't play in Thursday's preseason game against the Magic.

Impact Matkovic suffered an elbow injury Tuesday, and the team felt no need to rush him back for an exhibition. His next opportunity to suit up will be Wednesday in Memphis for the 2025-26 regular-season opener.

OCTOBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't return Tuesday Matkovic (elbow) didn't return to Tuesday's 130-128 preseason loss to the Rockets.

Impact Matkovic exited the game in the second quarter and didn't return due to right elbow soreness. The big man finished with three points (1-2 FG, 1-1 3Pt), two rebounds and one assist across nine minutes. His next opportunity to suit up will come in Thursday's preseason finale against the Magic.

OCTOBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with elbow soreness Matkovic didn't return from the locker room after halftime of Tuesday's preseason game against the Rockets due to right elbow soreness, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Impact Matkovic returned to the bench after spending the entire third quarter in the locker room. He was seen with an ice pack on his elbow. If the 24-year-old big man is unable to return, he'll finish with three points (1-2 FG, 1-1 3Pt), two rebounds and one assist across nine minutes.

OCTOBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Sees 16 minutes in win Matkovic recorded six points (3-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt), four rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block in 16 minutes of Friday's 107-97 preseason win over Melbourne United.

Impact Matkovic battled a hamstring issue towards the end of the 2024-25 regular season, but he has no injuries to report this time around. The Pelicans are healthier and much deeper in 2025-26, so Matkovic will need a strong preseason to bolster his case for a rotation spot. During the 2024-25 regular season, the forward averaged 7.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 blocks in 18.8 minutes per game across 42 outings (seven starts).

OCTOBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Karlo Matković has a huge advantage heading into training camp for the Pelicans With training camp fast approaching and Derik Queen still sidelined, Karlo Matković has a golden opportunity to establish his place in the P...

AUGUST 14, 2025 • PELICANDEBRIEF.COM

Won't play against OKC Matkovic (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Thunder.

Impact Matkovic will miss Sunday's regular-season finale due to left hamstring soreness, and with the Pelicans dealing with a plethora of injuries, Kylor Kelley and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl should see a good chunk of playing time against the Thunder. With New Orleans eliminated from playoff contention, Matkovic will end the regular season averaging 7.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.0 blocks in 18.8 minutes per game across 42 outings (seven starts).

APRIL 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Oklahoma City plays New Orleans on 3-game win streak

Oklahoma City comes into a matchup with New Orleans as winners of three games in a row

APRIL 12, 2025 • Associated Press

Adebayo has 23 points and 12 rebounds as the Heat pound the Pelicans 153-104.

Bam Adebayo had 23 points and 12 rebounds and the Miami Heat defeated reeling and injury-depleted New Orleans 153-104 in what became the Pelicans’ most lopsided regular season loss...

APRIL 12, 2025 • Associated Press

Not playing Friday Matkovic (hamstring) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Heat.

Impact Matkovic is working through a left hamstring injury, which is severe enough for him to be held out of Friday's contest. With Matkovic, Yves Missi (ankle) and Kelly Olynyk (Achilles) all out, Kylor Kelley and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl figure to see a large uptick in playing time in the Pelican's penultimate game of the regular season.

APRIL 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Iffy for Friday Matkovic is questionable for Friday's game against the Heat with left hamstring soreness.

Impact Matkovic logged 30 minutes against the Bucks on Thursday, finishing with 15 points, 10 rebounds and one steal. He could be held out for injury maintenance Friday, however. If Matkovic is unable to go, there would be more minutes available for Kylor Kelley and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.

APRIL 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Boston visits New Orleans after Brown's 41-point game

Wembanyama leads San Antonio against New Orleans after 40-point game

Oklahoma City plays New Orleans on 3-game win streak

Adebayo has 23 points and 12 rebounds as the Heat pound the Pelicans 153-104.