Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Gets garbage-time run Monday
Rotowire
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.
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Cleared to play
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Matkovic (back) has been cleared to play in Monday's game against Boston, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Logs full practice Sunday
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Matkovic (back) was a full practice participant Sunday, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Sitting out Friday
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Matkovic (back) won't play in Friday's game against San Antonio.
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Questionable vs. San Antonio
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Matkovic (back) is questionable for Friday's game against San Antonio.
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Still not practicing
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Matkovic (elbow) did not practice Saturday, Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans' official sitereports.
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Fails to appear Thursday
Rotowire
Matkovic (elbow) didn't play in Thursday's 132-125 preseason loss to the Magic.
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Doesn't return Tuesday
Rotowire
Matkovic (elbow) didn't return to Tuesday's 130-128 preseason loss to the Rockets.
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Dealing with elbow soreness
Rotowire
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.
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Not playing Friday
Rotowire
Matkovic (hamstring) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Heat.
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 Pelicans' penultimate game of the regular season.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Iffy for Friday
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Matkovic is questionable for Friday's game against the Heat with left hamstring soreness.
Matkovic logged 30 minutes against the Bucks on Thursday, finishing with 15 points, 10 rebounds and one steal. However, he could be held out for injury maintenance Friday. If Matkovic is unable to go, there would be more minutes available for Kylor Kelley and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Starting sans Missi
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Matkovic will start in Thursday's game against Milwaukee.
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Top rebounder in starting lineup
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Matkovic contributed eight points (4-7 FG) and 11 rebounds across 16 minutes before fouling out of Sunday's 136-130 loss to the Pistons.
With Zion Williamson (back) and Yves Missi (hip) inactive, Matkovic earned the starting nod Sunday, leading all Pelicans in rebounds while finishing two points shy of a double-double in just 16 minutes. Matkovic tied a season high in rebounds, a mark he has tallied on three other occasions. He has recorded at least eight points and 10 boards in four outings.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Sliding to second unit Monday
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Matkovic won't start in Monday's game against the Pistons.
The 23-year-old center will slide to the bench due to Yves Missi returning to game action. Matkovic has started in two of the club's last five outings, and he has averaged 11.8 points and 7.8 rebounds across 24.4 minutes per contest in that five-game span.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Double-doubles in spot start
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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.
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, averaging 9.5 points and 6.0 boards per contest since the beginning of February.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Starting sans Olynyk
Rotowire
Matkovic will enter the starting lineup in Thursday's game against the Suns.
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Season highs in win
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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 the Kings.
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Goes to bench Wednesday
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Matkovic is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Kings.
Zion Williamson is available for the 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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Good to go against Sacramento
Rotowire
Matkovic (illness) is available for Saturday's game versus the Kings.
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Nears double-double in spot start
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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.
The Pelicans pivoted from Javonte Green and experimented with Matkovic, 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.
