Karlo Matkovic News, Rumors, Updates - New Orleans Pelicans

Plays 21 minutes off bench Matkovic logged six points (2-9 FG, 0-3 3Pt, 2-4 FT), six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal over 21 minutes during Thursday's 109-97 loss to the Rockets.

Impact Despite a sizable role with the second unit, Matkovic's fantasy appeal has been limited to deeper formats. Over his last four outings, Matkovic hit 30.8 percent from the field to go with averages of 4.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 blocks in 20.2 minutes per game.

MARCH 7 • ROTOWIRE

Kevin Durant Got Away With a Subtle In-Game Punch at Pelicans Rookie Karlo Matković KD didn’t appreciate the screen.

MARCH 1 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Returning to bench Matkovic is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Suns.

Impact Matkovic will return to the bench after starting in Thursday's win over Phoenix, where he posted 17 points (7-13 FG, 3-7 3Pt), 10 rebounds and one assist in 36 minutes. Kelly Olynyk will start in his place Friday.

MARCH 1 • ROTOWIRE

Double-doubles in spot start Matkovic totaled 17 points (7-13 FG, 3-7 3Pt), 10 rebounds and one assist in 36 minutes during Thursday's 124-116 win over the Suns.

Impact Matkovic stepped into a starting role Thursday due to the absence of Kelly Olynyk (rest) and thrived en route to his first double-double of the campaign. Even though Matkovic's upside is limited due to the nature of his bench role, he's been putting up solid numbers of late. He's scored in double digits in three of his last five appearances while averaging 9.5 points and 6.0 boards per contest since the beginning of February.

FEBRUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Zion Williamson has 1st career triple-double, leads the Pelicans to a 124-116 victory over the Suns

Zion Williamson had his first career triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Phoenix Suns 124-116 on Thursday night for their...

FEBRUARY 28 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Starting sans Olynyk Matkovic will enter the starting lineup in Thursday's game against the Suns.

Impact The big man will receive the starting nod with Kelly Olynyk (rest) on the shelf. Over his last 10 outings (two starts), Matkovic has averaged 8.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.2 assists across 22.4 minutes per contest.

FEBRUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Recap Wins vs. Spurs, Karlo Matković exclusive | Pelicans Podcast

FEBRUARY 26 • YOUTUBE

Career-best scoring effort Matkovic registered 19 points (8-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds, one assist and one block across 21 minutes during Sunday's 114-96 victory over the Spurs.

Impact The 19 points were a career high for the 2024 second-round pick, as Matkovic continues to see his role in the Pelican's frontcourt grow. He's played more than 20 minutes in six of eight February contests (two starts), averaging 8.8 points, 6.0 boards, 1.8 blocks, 1.4 steals, 0.6 threes and 0.5 steals in 23.5 minutes on the month. Even with Kelly Olynyk moving into the starting five alongside Yves Missi coming out of the All-Star break, New Orleans seems committed to getting Matkovic consistent court time.

FEBRUARY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Season highs in win Matkovic ended with 13 points (5-6 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, three blocks, two assists and two steals across 27 minutes during Thursday's 140-133 overtime victory over t...

Impact Matkovic stuffed the stat sheet while recording a season-high 13 points in the win. Moreover, the 23-year-old also tied his season highs in both blocks and steals. Over his last five outings (two starts), Matkovic has averaged 7.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks across 23.8 minutes per contest.

FEBRUARY 14 • ROTOWIRE

Goes to bench Wednesday Matkovic is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Kings.

Impact Zion Williamson is available for Pelicans on Wednesday, pushing Matkovic to the bench. Matkovic has averaged 2.8 rebounds, 2.2 points, 0.8 blocks and 0.5 steals in 10.3 minutes over 13 games off the bench this season.

FEBRUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Running with first unit Matkovic is starting Monday's game against the Thunder.

Impact Matkovic will join the starting lineup Monday due to the absence of CJ McCollum (personal). Matkovic's last start came Wednesday against the Nuggets, when he finished with 10 points, nine rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks over 30 minutes.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Running with first unit Matkovic is starting Monday's game against the Thunder.

Impact Matkovic will join the starting lineup Monday due to the absence of CJ McCollum (personal). Matkovic's last start came Wednesday against the Nuggets, finishing with 10 points, nine rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks over 30 minutes.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Back to bench Matkovic won't start Saturday's game against the Kings, James Ham of ESPN 1320 Sacramento reports.

Impact Matkovic made his first career start against Denver on Wednesday and posted 10 points, nine rebounds, two blocks and a steal in 30 minutes during a 144-119 loss. The Pelicans are rolling with a smaller lineup Saturday, swapping Matkovic for Jose Alvarado.

FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Good to go against Sacramento Matkovic (illness) is available for Saturday's game versus the Kings.

Impact Matkovic has been upgraded from questionable to available Saturday despite dealing with an illness. Matkovic is averaging 4.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 16.8 minutes across his previous five appearances.

FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Iffy for Saturday Matkovic is listed as questionable for Saturday's game versus the Kings due to a non-COVID illness.

Impact Matkovic was inserted into the starting lineup in New Orleans' most recent outing but could be forced to sit out Saturday. If Matkovic is ultimately downgraded to out against Sacramento, Javonte Green and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl are candidates to receive increased playing time.

FEBRUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Nears double-double in spot start Matkovic closed with 10 points (3-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT), nine rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal in 30 minutes during Wednesday's 144-119 loss to the Nuggets.

Impact The Pelicans pivoted from Javonte Green and experimented with Matkoivc, who made his first career start in the NBA. Although Brandon Ingram had logged several absences before being traded away, his departure will force New Orleans to scour their lineup and investigate other starting combinations prior to the arrival of Bruce Brown and Kelly Olynyk.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Making first-career start Matkovic is part of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nuggets.

Impact Matkovic will make his first NBA start, supplanting Javonte Green in the first unit against Denver. Matkovic logged five points, 11 rebounds and four assists in 27 minutes against the Nuggets on Monday.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Fares well in loss Matkovic finished Monday's 125-113 loss to the Nuggets with five points (1-5 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds, four assists and one block in 27 minutes.

Impact The Pelicans were without Daniel Theis for a second consecutive game, allowing Matkovic to play an extended role off the bench. He set career-high marks in rebounds (11) and assists (4), and his strong play could give the coaching staff something to think about going forward.

FEBRUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to parent club The Pelicans recalled Matkovic from the G League's Birmingham Squadron on Thursday.

Impact Matkovic will return to the NBA after a brief stint in the G League. The 23-year-old big man is averaging 1.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 7.3 minutes across his 10 appearances for the Pelicans this season.

JANUARY 31 • ROTOWIRE

Headed to G League The Pelicans assigned Matkovic to the G League's Birmingham Squadron on Tuesday.

Impact Matkovic is averaging 1.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 6.8 minutes across his last five NBA appearances. However, the 23-year-old big man should continue to receive increased playing time while in the G League.

JANUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Plays garbage time in loss Matkovic (back) recorded four points (2-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt), four rebounds, one assist and one steal while playing the final 6:01 of Wednesday's 119-100 loss to the Trail Blazers.

Impact The rookie big man hadn't appeared in a game since Dec. 4 due to a low back disc protrusion, but after getting cleared to play early in the week, he saw action at the tail end of Wednesday's blowout loss, when most of the Pelicans' key players had checked out of the contest for good. Matkovic will likely continue to see most of his playing time in end-of-game scenarios while he remains with the Pelicans, though he could be assigned to the G League's Birmingham Squadron in the near future to get some more extensive minutes.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Available for Tuesday Matkovic (back) is available for Tuesday's game against Minnesota.

Impact Matkovic will be available for the first time since Dec. 4. He wasn't a consistent rotation player before his injury, however, and he's not guaranteed any minutes Tuesday.

JANUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Tuesday Matkovic (back) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves.

Impact Matkovic hasn't played since Dec. 4 and just recently progressed to the return-to-competition conditioning phase of his rehab program. If he does get the green light for Tuesday, he won't be guaranteed a rotation spot.

JANUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Matkovic (back) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Heat, Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans' official site reports.

Impact Matkovic, who hasn't played since Dec. 4 due to low back disc protrusion, progressed to the return-to-competition conditioning phase of his rehab program before Christmas but remains week-to-week. Even when available, it's unlikely Matkovic has a role with the NBA squad and will likely return to action in the G League.

DECEMBER 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Considered week-to-week Matkovic (back) will be week-to-week going forward, the Pelicans announced Tuesday.

Impact Matkovic has progressed to the return to play conditioning phase of his rehabilitation program, but he will miss another week of action. He's missed the past nine games for the Pelicans, but he could have a larger role in the near future with the franchise possibly looking to be sellers at the deadline.

DECEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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Zion Williamson has 1st career triple-double, leads the Pelicans to a 124-116 victory over the Suns