The Pelicans recalled Matkovic from the G League's Birmingham Squadron on Monday.
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Back with NBA club
Rotowire
The Pelicans recalled Matkovic from the G League's Birmingham Squadron on Thursday.
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Cleared to play
Rotowire
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.
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Sitting out SL finale
Rotowire
Matkovic won't play in Saturday's Summer League game against the Nuggets due to left groin soreness, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Gets three-year deal from New Orleans
Rotowire
Matkovic agreed to a three-year, $4.9 million contract with the Pelicans on Sunday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Selected by the Pelicans with the No. 52 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Matkovic spent most of the last two seasons in Europe before joining New Orleans' G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron, this past February. He 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 for the Pelicans in his first outing in the Las Vegas Summer League on Friday, Matkovic has now been formally added to the club's 15-man roster after signing a contract, which includes a team option for 2026-27. Matkovic could find his way into the rotation for a new-look Pelicans squad that wasn't able to retain two key frontcourt players in Jonas Valanciunas and Naji Marshall in free agency.
