Matkovic (calf) will be available to play Thursday against the Timberwolves, Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans' official site reports.
Matkovic will shake off a questionable tag and could make his first appearance since Nov. 17. With Zion Williamson (adductor) out several weeks and Yves Missi (foot, ankle) sidelined, Matkovic could get right back into the rotation Thursday.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Termed questionable
Rotowire
Matkovic (calf) is questionable for Thursday's game against Minnesota.
Matkovic has missed eight consecutive games, so Thursday's questionable tag is a positive development in his recovery from a strained right calf. Even if he's unavailable Thursday, it looks like he's getting close to returning. Before sustaining the injury, Matkovic appeared in 12 games, averaging 4.9 points and 2.8 rebounds across 11.4 minutes.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
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.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Iffy for Friday
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Starting sans Missi
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Top rebounder in starting lineup
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Sliding to second unit Monday
Rotowire
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.
