KARLO MATKOVIC NEWS

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

Ruled out Sunday Matkovic (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Nuggets.

Impact Matkovic's absence streak will extend to nine outings while he deals with a lower back disc protrusion. The 23-year-old's next opportunity to feature will come Thursday against Houston.

DECEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out for Saturday Matkovic (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Knicks.

Impact Matkovic will remain sidelined while he deals with a lower back disc protrusion, and he hasn't appeared in an NBA game since Dec. 1. The 23-year-old's next chance to feature will come Sunday against the Nuggets.

DECEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Still sidelined Matkovic (back) won't play in Thursday's game against the Rockets.

Impact Matkovic has been dealing with a low back disc protrusion and hasn't appeared in a game since Dec. 4 at either the NBA or G League level. He remains without a timetable for return.

DECEMBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Sunday Matkovic (back) is out for Sunday's game versus the Pacers.

Impact Matkovic hasn't played since Dec. 1, so his continued absence won't affect New Orleans' rotation. Matkovic's next chance to suit up is Thursday's matchup with Houston.

DECEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Thursday Matkovic (back) will not play Thursday versus Sacramento.

Impact Matkovic has logged just five appearances and 39 total minutes of action for New Orleans this season. Despite injury woes and a lack of frontcourt depth for the Pelicans, the Croatian has been unable to carve out a role.

DECEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Sunday Matkovic (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Spurs.

Impact Matkovic will miss both halves of the Pelicans' weekend back-to-back set due to lower back soreness. However, his absence shouldn't impact New Orleans' rotation.

DECEMBER 8, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Saturday vs. OKC Matkovic (back) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Thunder, Erin Summers of the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network reports.

Impact Matkovic is dealing with lower back soreness, and he will be held out of Saturday's game as a result. He could return for Sunday's game against the Spurs, though the 23-year-old forward hasn't seen much playing time off the bench even when he is available to play.

DECEMBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Saturday Matkovic is questionable for Saturday's game against the Thunder due to low back soreness.

Impact Matkovic was recalled from the G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, on Thursday. His availability for Saturday's game is in question, but even if he's able to play, he's not expected to see significant minutes at the NBA level.

DECEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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

Impact Matkovic is unlikely to receive significant playing time for the Pelicans while with the NBA club. The 23-year-old forward is averaging 0.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 7.8 minutes across five appearances with New Orleans this season.

DECEMBER 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled by NOLA The Pelicans recalled Matkovic from the G League's Birmingham Squadrons on Saturday.

Impact Matkovic is coming off a dominant double-double performance against the Memphis Hustle on Saturday, finishing with 29 points, 11 rebounds and six assists over 32 minutes. Across eight outings in the G League, he's averaged 18.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 blocks over 30.3 minutes per game. Matkovic last played for the Pelicans on Nov. 20 against the Cavaliers, and he finished that contest with two points, five rebounds, two steals and one block over 18 minutes.

DECEMBER 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled to NBA The Pelicans recalled Matkovic from the G League's Birmingham Squadron on Monday.

Impact Matkovic made four appearances with the Squadron, averaging 17.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 27.4 minutes per game. On Sunday, he posted 24 points (8-12 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 10 rebounds, two blocks and an assist in 27 minutes during a blowout win over the G League's Oklahoma City Blue.

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back with NBA club Matkovic was recalled from the Birmingham Squadron on Thursday.

Impact The Pelicans are dealing with a variety of injuries early on in the season, so the team has elected to add depth in the form of Matkovic and Antonio Reeves. Matkovic has seen limited playing time so far this year for New Orleans, logging five minutes in two appearances.

OCTOBER 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play Pelicans vice president of basketball operations said Monday that Matkovic (groin) is ready to go for training camp this week, Erin Summers of Bally Sports New Orleans reports.

Impact Matkovic sat out of the Summer League finale due to some mild groin soreness, but he's not expected to have any limitations during camp. A draft-and-stash player from the 2022 NBA Draft, Matkovic has an opportunity to earn a rotation spot due to the lack of frontcourt depth for the Pelicans.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out SL finale Matkovic won't play in Saturday's Summer League game against the Nuggets due to left groin soreness, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Impact A draft-and-stash player from the 2022 NBA Draft, Matkovic joined the Pelicans' G League affiliate late in the 2023-24 season and has been part of the team's Summer League roster in Las Vegas. With the Pelicans a bit thin in the frontcourt, Matkovic could see occasional playing time during the upcoming season. His groin injury shouldn't impact his availability for training camp.

JULY 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Signs three-year deal with New Orleans Matkovic signed a three-year, $4.9 million contract with the Pelicans, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.

Impact Matkovic was drafted 52nd overall in the 2022 draft by the Pelicans but spent most of the subsequent two seasons playing in Europe before joining the Birmingham Squadron in Feb. 2024. Matkovic appeared in 10 games for Birmingham, averaging 17.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 31.3 minutes per game. After recording eight points and eight rebounds to kick off the Las Vegas Summer League in the summer of 2024, Matkovic reached a standard deal to join the Pelicans, including a team option in the third year. Matkovic could find his way into the rotation for a new-look Pelicans squad with question marks at many positions.

JULY 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out Sunday Matkovic won't play in Sunday's Summer League game against the 76ers, Erin Summers of Bally Sports New Orleans reports.

Impact It's unclear why the second-year forward won't be available, but Saturday's contest is New Orleans' final Summer League matchup this year. The 2022 second-round pick has yet to appear in a regular season NBA game and spent last season playing for KK Cedevita Olimpija.

JULY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE