Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Flirts with double-double
Rotowire
Matkovic ended Monday's 120-94 win over the Kings with 12 points (4-6 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), nine rebounds and one assist in 19 minutes.
Despite Monday's strong effort, Matkovic appears to be the No. 3 center choice behind Derik Queen and Yves Missi. Over his last seven contests, Matkovic has averaged 4.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.9 steals in 13.6 minutes per game.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Busy on defensive end in loss
Rotowire
Matkovic posted two points (1-1 FG), five rebounds, one assist, two blocks and two steals in 16 minutes off the bench during Saturday's 124-114 loss to the 76ers.
It's the first time since Jan. 4 that Matkovic has recorded multiple steals and blocks in the same game. The second-year big has found a consistent role in New Orleans' frontcourt rotation, playing double-digit minutes with the second unit in 11 straight games while averaging 5.1 points, 3.0 boards, 0.9 blocks, 0.8 threes and 0.6 steals in 15.0 minutes.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Limited again in loss
Rotowire
Matkovic supplied five points (2-3 FG, 1-2 3Pt), two rebounds and one block in 14 minutes during Wednesday's 112-104 loss to the Pistons.
Matkovic failed to score more than five points for the sixth time in the past eight games, continuing to play as a third-string center option behind Derik Queen and Yves Missi. Although he appears to have carved out a regular spot in the rotation at this point, it is not substantial enough to warrant any real fantasy attention. In 14 games over the past month, he has averaged just 5.4 points and 3.2 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Reverting to bench Friday
Rotowire
Matkovic won't start against the Wizards on Friday.
Matkovic got the starting nod in Wednesday's loss to the Hawks but will retreat to the second unit Friday. The 24-year-old big man has averaged 5.0 points and 3.2 rebounds across 24 appearances off the bench so far this season.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Back to bench Tuesday
Rotowire
Matkovic is not in the Pelicans' starting lineup against the Lakers on Tuesday.
Matkovic will revert to a bench role Tuesday due to the return of Derik Queen. Matkovic made his first start of the season during Sunday's 125-106 loss to the Heat, when he finished with four points, six rebounds, one assist and two blocks over 24 minutes.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Making first start of season
Rotowire
Matkovic is part of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against Miami.
Matkovic will make his first start of the campaign, slotting in at the power forward spot between Zion Williamson and Derik Queen. Matkovic is fresh off his best game of the season, as he totaled 16 points, two rebounds, two assists and two blocks across 20 minutes in Friday's loss to Portland.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Limited to 14 minutes
Rotowire
Matkovic ended Monday's 119-113 win over the Mavericks with five points (2-4 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 0-2 FT), six rebounds, one assist and one block over 14 minutes.
Matkovic is currently at the edge of New Orleans' rotation, keeping him miles from fantasy relevance in standard formats. Over his last five appearances, Matkovic has averaged 4.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 11.6 minutes per contest.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Returns with eight points
Rotowire
Matkovic (calf) tallied eight points (4-5 FG), six rebounds, one assist and one block across 18 minutes off the bench in Thursday's 125-116 loss to the Timberwolves.
Matkovic made his return after missing New Orleans' previous eight games while recovering from a calf strain. He immediately reclaimed a spot in the Pelicans' frontcourt rotation and could have a chance at seeing his minutes pick up in future contests with Zion Williamson (adductor) out for at least three weeks and with Herbert Jones (calf) remaining without a clear target date for a return.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Ruled out for Tuesday
Rotowire
Matkovic (calf) won't suit up for Tuesday's game versus the Timberwolves.
Tuesday will be the eighth consecutive game on the inactive list for Matkovic, and the Pelicans haven't discussed him making any progress in his recovery, so he should be considered week-to-week moving forward. Matkovic belongs on the waiver wire in fantasy leagues.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Out vs. Golden State
Rotowire
Matkovic (calf) is out for Saturday's game at Golden State.
Matkovic is working his way back to full fitness after a calf injury, but he's not ready to return yet. His next chance to play will come against the Lakers on Sunday in the second leg of a back-to-back set.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Remaining out vs. Memphis
Rotowire
Matkovic (calf) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies.
Matkovic will miss his fifth consecutive contest due to a right calf strain, and his next opportunity to play will come Saturday against the Warriors. With the big man remaining on the shelf, Saddiq Bey, Derik Queen and Yves Missi are candidates for a slight bump in minutes.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Listed out for Friday
Rotowire
Matkovic (calf) is out for Friday's game against the Mavericks, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
Matkovic will be sidelined for a second straight game Friday. It remains to be seen if he will be available for Saturday's game against the Hawks. With Derik Queen and Yves Missi moving ahead of him on the depth chart, minutes may be hard to come by for Matkovic when he's healthy.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Plays well off bench
Rotowire
Matkovic registered 13 points (6-7 FG, 1-4 FT), six rebounds, two assists and one block in 15 minutes during Tuesday's 116-112 win over the Hornets.
Yves Missi (illness) missed this contest, and the Pelicans are going to be without Zion Williamson (hamstring) for at least a week. Matkovic and Derik Queen both provided a huge lift off the bench, while DeAndre Jordan never saw the floor. Matkovic will be a player to monitor if his minutes trend up.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Cleared to play
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
