Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-11, 255 lbs |
| Birthplace: Livno, BA |
| Age: 25 |
| Experience: 2 |
Next Game
Now Playing
Share Video
Link copied!
-
0:32Feel Good Moments: Nets Light Up the Scoreboard Against Pelicans
-
0:26
Highlights: Nets at Pelicans (11/11)
-
1:31NBA Sustainability: Playing With An Average Joker
-
10:05Liberty Coaching Search: What qualities should their next head coach have? | WNTTN
-
0:30Feel Good Moments: Nikola Jokić Reaches 200 Career Triple-Doubles
-
1:12Thunder Aiming to Overcome Early Injury Woes
-
0:52Nikola Jokic Criticizes Nuggets Fans for Booing
-
0:33DeAndre Jordan Re-Signing With Pelicans
-
9:40The Latest in the NBA
-
0:47Are the Pelicans Going to Do Anything?
-
1:57Report: Raptors Interested in Getting Kawhi Leonard Back
-
1:45Latest on Jaylen Brown's Future with the Celtics
-
1:47Pistons Best Possible Moves: Powell or Murphy?
-
1:30Has Ja Morant Lost the Game of Point Guard Musical Chairs?
-
1:14Could a First-Rounder Get Traded for Jaylen Brown?
-
1:18Did the League Miss Its Window to Trade for Trey Murphy?
-
1:52Top 5 Trade Destinations for Jaylen Brown: The Detroit Pistons
-
1:11Mavericks Hire National Champion Coach Dusty May
-
1:50Warriors' Potentially Shopping Trey Murphy III
-
0:49Clippers Remain Without NBA Title in 56-Year History
This page may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and sign up, make a deposit, place a wager, or make a trade, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
2026 Stats
| STATS |
MPG
Minutes Per Game
|
PPG
Points Per Game
|
FG%
Field Goal Percentage
|
RPG
Rebounds Per Game
|
APG
Assists Per Game
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | 18.6 | 8.5 | 58.1 | 4.3 | 1.2 |
Top Karlo Matkovic News
-
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Chips in 18 in Friday's loss
Matkovic had 18 points (7-13 FG, 4-8 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist across 18 minutes during Friday's 115-109 loss to the Timberwolves.
Making his fifth straight start in place of Yves Missi (knee), Matkovic was mainly used as a stretch big, with his three boards being his lowest mark so far during his stint in the starting five. The third-year center is averaging 13.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.6 threes, 1.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks over 22.8 minutes in his new role while shooting 62.5 percent from the floor and a sizzling 56.5 percent (13-for-23) from beyond the arc.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Busts out in OT win
Matkovic finished Monday's 135-134 overtime win over the Grizzlies with 25 points (9-13 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 2-4 FT), six rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals over 29 minutes.
Matkovic delivered easily his best performance of the season, helping New Orleans to an impressive win over the previously undefeated Memphis. That makes three consecutive starts for Matkovic, during which time he has averaged 15.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 three-pointers and 3.0 combined steals and blocks. It appears as though he has secured himself the starting center spot, at least until Yves Missi returns from a knee injury. For now, he is definitely worth a look, even in standard leagues.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Grabs 10 boards against Atlanta
Matkovic closed Saturday's 121-99 victory over Atlanta with eight points (3-4 FG, 2-2 3Pt), 10 rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal across 18 minutes.
In his second start of the 2026-27 campaign, Matkovic led the Pelicans with a season-high 10 rebounds and was two points shy from recording his first double-double since March 16 against the Mavericks. Yves Missi is recovering from a bone bruise in his left knee and is considered week-to-week, so Matkovic figures to remain in New Orleans' starting lineup for as long as the former is out of action.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Starting Thursday
Matkovic is in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Kings.
Matkovic will make his first start of the 2026-27 campaign. DeAndre Jordan has drawn starts at center in each of the Pelicans' last two games for the injured Yves Missi (knee), but it'll be Matkovic who gets a look Thursday. He's had a limited impact off the bench through three games, averaging 5.0 points and 2.3 rebounds in 11.7 minutes.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Won't start Friday
Matkovic is not listed in the starting lineup for Friday's preseason game against the Wizards.
Matkovic started in Wednesday's 101-97 preseason victory over the Mavericks. However, he will return to the bench for the Pelicans' final exhibition before meeting the Pacers on Opening Night.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Cashes three triples as starter
Matkovic contributed 11 points (3-4 FG, 3-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT) and two rebounds across 18 minutes in Wednesday's 101-97 preseason win over Dallas.
Matkovic made his first start of the preseason after coming off the bench in the first two contests. The 25-year-old did all of his scoring from the field beyond the arc, knocking down a team-high three triples in a winning effort. Across 62 regular-season appearances (two starts) in 2025-26, Matkovic averaged 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per contest.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Productive off bench
Matkovic finished with nine points (4-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt) and three rebounds in 12 minutes during Thursday's 128-118 preseason loss to Miami.
Matkovic was productive offensively in limited playing time, converting four of his seven field-goal attempts while adding a three-pointer. The big man faces competition for frontcourt minutes from Yves Missi and Derik Queen, leaving his regular-season role uncertain despite the encouraging preseason showing.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Plays well for Croatia
Matkovic recorded 17 points (8-8 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 0-1 FT), one assist and two turnovers in 17 minutes during Croatia's 115-80 win over Latvia in Thursday's FIBA World Cup qualifier.
The 25-year-old showed encouraging progress with New Orleans last season and enters 2026-27 as part of a crowded frontcourt that also includes Derik Queen and Yves Missi. Matkovic's ability to protect the rim while stretching the floor gives him a different skill set than the Pelicans' other young big men, but the competition for minutes could make his role volatile. He'll be a player to monitor during training camp, particularly if New Orleans shows a willingness to use him alongside one of its other centers.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Team option picked up
The Pelicans announced Thursday that they exercised the third-year option on Matkovic (back).
Matkovic is set to compete with Yves Missi (hand) and Derik Queen for the top center spot in 2026-27. Last regular season, Matkovic averaged 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 14.7 minutes per contest across 62 games while shooting 60.4 percent from the field.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Won't play in season finale
Matkovic (back) is out for Sunday's game against the Timberwolves.
Matkovic will sit out the regular-season finale due to a back injury, the same one that sidelined him for the Pelicans' previous five games. The big man was a bench piece all season long and started in just two of his 62 regular-season contests, averaging 5.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.9 blocks across 14.7 minutes per contest.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Won't play Friday
Matkovic (back) is out for Friday's game against Boston.
Matkovic will be sidelined for the fifth straight time Friday. At this point, it would be a surprise to see him suit up for the season finale Sunday. Matkovic averaged 17.4 minutes per game across 14 appearances in March.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Iffy for Friday
Matkovic (back) is questionable for Friday's game against Boston.
Matkovic has been sidelined for four straight games due to a back injury, but he'll have a chance to return Friday after being upgraded to questionable. He'll presumably need to prove his health in shootaround and warmups to gain clearance to suit up.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Won't play Tuesday
Matkovic (back) is out for Tuesday's game against the Jazz.
Matkovic will sit out for a fourth straight game despite drawing a questionable tag previously. Consider him questionable for Friday's game against Boston.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Questionable for Tuesday
Matkovic (back) is listed as questionable for Tuesday's game against Utah.
Matkovic is in danger of missing a fourth consecutive contest due to a lower-back issue. If the big man is ultimately ruled out, Derik Queen and Yves Missi would be candidates to see increased minutes.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Out Sunday
Matkovic (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Magic.
Matkovic will miss a third straight game due to back spasms. In his absence, Derik Queen has been seeing more minutes. Matkovic's next chance to suit up will come Tuesday against the Jazz.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Questionable to play Sunday
Matkovic (back) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Magic.
Matkovic hasn't played in the Pelicans' last two games, and a decision on his status will be made closer to Sunday's tipoff. The big man is averaging 7.5 points and 4.9 boards per game since the All-Star break, so even if he's cleared to play, his fantasy upside would be fairly low.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Ruled out for Friday
Matkovic (back) won't play Friday in Sacramento.
This will be Matkovic's second straight game on the sidelines, and for now, he should be considered questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Magic. Matkovic's absence should open up minutes for Derik Queen and Yves Missi.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Listed as questionable
Matkovic (back) is questionable for Friday's game against the Kings.
Matkovic remains day-to-day after missing Thursday's game against Portland. Yves Missi and Derik Queen could be more involved for the Pelicans if Matkovic is unable to give it a go.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Ruled out Thursday
Matkovic (back) is out for Thursday's game against Portland.
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 for Yves Missi and Derik Queen.
... See More ... See Less -
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Questionable for Thursday
Matkovic (back) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against Portland.
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.
... See More ... See Less
