Karlo Matkovic News, Rumors, Updates - New Orleans Pelicans

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

Bucks extend winning streak to 6 games with a 136-111 win over the Pelicans

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points and 11 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks extended their winning streak to six games with a 136-111 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans

APRIL 11, 2025 • Associated Press

Starting sans Missi Matkovic will start in Thursday's game against Milwaukee.

Impact The big man will get the starting nod Thursday due to Yves Missi (ankle) being sidelined. Over his last 10 outings (one start), Matkovic has averaged 11.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists across 20.2 minutes per game.

APRIL 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Efficient 17 points with full line Matkovic notched 17 points (8-11 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist, two blocks and one steal in 26 minutes during Tuesday's 119-114 loss to the Nets.

Impact On top of filling the box score, Matkovic co-led the Pelicans in scoring alongside Antonio Reeves on Tuesday. The 2022 second-rounder has averaged 13.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.7 steals while shooting 62.5 percent from the field in 21.3 minutes across his last seven contests. Matkovic has notched double-digit points in each of these appearances.

APRIL 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Trendon Watford scores 22 and the Nets beat the Pelicans 119-114 to snap a 5-game home skid

Trendon Watford scored 22 points, Drew Timme had 16 points and nine rebounds off the bench and the Brooklyn Nets beat the New Orleans Pelicans 119-114 on Tuesday night to snap a fi...

APRIL 9, 2025 • Associated Press

Productive in 18 minutes Matkovic recorded 11 points (5-11 FG, 1-5 3Pt), five rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 18 minutes during Sunday's 111-107 loss to Milwaukee.

Impact Although his workloads have been modest, Matkovic has led the Pelicans in nine-category fantasy value over his last six appearances. In that stretch, Matkovic produced sixth-round value in 20.5 minutes with 12.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 blocks, 0.7 steals and 0.8 three-pointers on 60.4 percent shooting from the field.

APRIL 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Luka Doncic bounces back to lead the Lakers to a 124-108 victory over the Pelicans

Luka Doncic had 35 points, Austin Reaves added 30 and LeBron James had 27 in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 124-108 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night

APRIL 5, 2025 • Associated Press

Leading scorer from second unit Matkovic finished with 19 points (7-11 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds, three assists and one block in 22 minutes off the bench during Monday's 112-99 victory over the 76ers.

Impact The rookie center led the Pelicans in scoring on the night in an efficient performance. Matkovic tied his season highs in points and threes in the process, but his workload and production remain inconsistent -- he'd scored in single digits in four straight games prior to Monday.

MARCH 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Karlo Matkovic, Pelicans coast to victory vs. Sixers Rookie Karlo Matkovic matched his career high of 19 points to lead a balanced scoring effort as the host New Orleans Pelicans pulled away fr...

MARCH 25, 2025 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Pelicans use balanced scoring to send the 76ers to their 5th straight loss, 112-99

Karlo Matkovic had a season-high 19 points and eight assists, Antonio Reeves had five 3-pointers and 17 points and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Philadelphia 76ers 112-99

MARCH 25, 2025 • Associated Press

Moving to bench Monday Matkovic is not part of the starting lineup for Monday's game against the 76ers.

Impact The Pelicans will give Keion Brooks an opportunity in the starting five Monday, sending Matkovic into a reserve role. Matkovic has averaged 8.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.1 blocks in 20.9 minutes across his last nine games off the bench.

MARCH 24, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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