Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Chips in 18 in Friday's loss
Rotowire
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Busts out in OT win
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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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Grabs 10 boards against Atlanta
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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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Starting Thursday
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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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Won't start Friday
Rotowire
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Cashes three triples as starter
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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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Plays well for Croatia
Rotowire
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Team option picked up
Rotowire
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Won't play in season finale
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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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Won't play Friday
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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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Iffy for Friday
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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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Won't play Tuesday
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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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Out Sunday
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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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Questionable to play Sunday
Rotowire
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Ruled out for Friday
Rotowire
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Listed as questionable
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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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Questionable for Thursday
Rotowire
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.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Plays well off bench
Rotowire
Matkovic ended with 12 points (5-6 FG, 2-2 3Pt), three rebounds and one assist in 23 minutes during Tuesday's 121-116 loss to the Knicks.
This was a solid showing for Matkovic, but with the Pelicans no longer in the mix for a playoff spot, it will be interesting to see if the team looks to get Derik Queen more involved at the expense of Matkovic. The veteran holds averages of 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in 14.6 minutes per contest this season.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Fares well off bench
Rotowire
Matkovic finished with 10 points (4-6 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), eight rebounds, one assist, three blocks and one steal across 18 minutes during Tuesday's 113-109 win over the Warriors.
Matkovic recorded a season-high three blocks in the win, providing a big lift off the bench on both sides of the floor. His workloads haven't been large enough for him to make a consistent impact in fantasy, however. Over his last seven games, he's averaging 16.6 minutes with 7.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.1 three-pointers.
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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.
