Karlo Matkovic News, Rumors, Updates - New Orleans Pelicans

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

DeAndre Jordan responds to rare playing time with a vintage performance in a Pelicans victory

DeAndre Jordan says he understood he might not play much with New Orleans this season and was grateful to see his first game action in three-plus months against Philadelphia

FEBRUARY 22 • Associated Press

Jordan Poole's 2nd-half surge helps the Pelicans top the 76ers, 126-111

Jordan Poole highlighted a 23-point performance with five 3-pointers, and the New Orleans Pelicans outscored Philadelphia 60-35 during the final 21 minutes to beat the 76ers 126-11...

FEBRUARY 22 • Associated Press

Flirts with double-double Matkovic ended Monday's 120-94 win over the Kings with 12 points (4-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds and one assist in 19 minutes.

Impact Despite Monday's strong effort, Matkovic appears to be the No. 3 center choice behind Derik Queen and Yves Missi. Over his last seven contests, Matkovic has averaged 4.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.9 steals in 13.6 minutes per game.

FEBRUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Busy on defensive end in loss Matkovic posted two points (1-1 FG), five rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two steals in 16 minutes off the bench during Saturday's 124-114 loss to the 76ers.

Impact It's the first time since Jan. 4 that Matkovic has recorded multiple steals and blocks in the same game. The second-year big has found a consistent role in New Orleans' frontcourt rotation, playing double-digit minutes with the second unit in 11 straight games while averaging 5.1 points, 3.0 boards, 0.9 blocks, 0.8 threes and 0.6 steals in 15.0 minutes.

FEBRUARY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Limited again in loss Matkovic supplied five points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3Pt), two rebounds and one block in 14 minutes during Wednesday's 112-104 loss to the Pistons.

Impact Matkovic failed to score more than five points for the sixth time in the past eight games, continuing to play as a third-string center option behind Derik Queen and Yves Missi. Although he appears to have carved out a regular spot in the rotation, at this point, it is not substantial enough to warrant any real fantasy attention. In 14 games over the past month, he has averaged just 5.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game.

JANUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Murphy's 34 points and Bey's clutch play push the Pelicans past the Nets, 116-113

Trey Murphy III scored 34 points, Saddiq Bey made a 3-pointer, converted an offensive rebound into a dunk and hit two free throws in the final 1:04, and the New Orleans Pelicans ed...

JANUARY 15 • Associated Press

Reverting to bench Friday Matkovic won't start against the Wizards on Friday.

Impact Matkovic got the starting nod in Wednesday's loss to the Hawks but will retreat to the second unit Friday. The 24-year-old big man has averaged 5.0 points and 3.2 rebounds across 24 appearances off the bench so far this season.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Inserted into starting lineup Matkovic is in the Pelicans' starting lineup against the Hawks on Wednesday.

Impact Matkovic will make his second start in three games due to the absence of Herbert Jones (ankle). Matkovic logged four points, six rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 24 minutes in his last start against the Heat on Sunday.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

James and Doncic each score 30 to help the Lakers hold off the Pelicans 111-103

LeBron James scored 30 points, Luca Doncic capped his 30-point, 10-assist performance with a pair of off-balance, bail-out 3s as the shot clock wound down, and the Los Angeles Lake...

JANUARY 7 • Associated Press

Back to bench Tuesday Matkovic is not in the Pelicans' starting lineup against the Lakers on Tuesday.

Impact Matkovic will revert to a bench role Tuesday due to the return of Derik Queen. Matkovic made his first start of the season during Sunday's 125-106 loss to the Heat, when he finished with four points, six rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 24 minutes.

JANUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Making first start of season Matkovic is part of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against Miami.

Impact Matkovic will make his first start of the campaign, slotting in at the power forward spot between Zion Williamson and Derik Queen. Matkovic is fresh off his best game of the season, as he totaled 16 points, two rebounds, two assists and two blocks across 20 minutes Friday against Portland.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Deni Avdija has 34 points and 11 assists in the Trail Blazers' 122-109 win over the Pelicans

Deni Avdija had 34 points and 11 assists and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the injury-depleted New Orleans Pelicans 122-09 on Friday night

JANUARY 3 • Associated Press

Limited to 14 minutes Matkovic ended Monday's 119-113 win over the Mavericks with five points (2-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 0-2 FT), six rebounds, one assist and one block over 14 minutes.

Impact Matkovic is currently at the edge of New Orleans' rotation, keeping him miles from fantasy relevance in standard formats. Over his last five appearances, Matkovic has averaged 4.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 11.6 minutes per contest.

DECEMBER 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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