KARLO MATKOVIC NEWS

Returns with eight points 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.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Available to play Matkovic (calf) will be available to play Thursday against the Timberwolves, Jim Eichenhofer of the Pelicans' official site reports.

Impact Matkovic will shake off a questionable tag and will 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.

DECEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Termed questionable Matkovic (calf) is questionable for Thursday's game against Minnesota.

Impact 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.

DECEMBER 3 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Tuesday Matkovic (calf) won't suit up for Tuesday's game versus the Timberwolves.

Impact Tuesday will be the eighth consecutive game on the inactive list for Matkovic, and the Timberwolves 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.

DECEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Sunday Matkovic (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Lakers.

Impact Matkovic will miss his seventh consecutive contest due to a right calf strain, and there remains no clear timetable for his return to game action. His next opportunity to suit up will come Tuesday against the Timberwolves.

NOVEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Out vs. Golden State Matkovic (calf) is out for Saturday's game at Golden State.

Impact Matkovic is working his way back to full fitness after a calf injury, but he doesn't seem 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.

NOVEMBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Remaining out vs. Memphis Matkovic (calf) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Grizzlies.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Won't suit up Monday Matkovic (calf) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Bulls.

Impact Matkovic will miss his fourth consecutive contest due to a right calf strain. His next opportunity to play will come Wednesday against the Grizzlies. With the 24-year-old sidelined, Derik Queen, Saddiq Bey and Yves Missi are candidates to see a bump in minutes.

NOVEMBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Saturday Matkovic (calf) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Hawks.

Impact Matkovic is slated to miss a third straight game. However, his absence hasn't impacted the rotation, with Derik Queen and Yves Missi already handling most of the center minutes.

NOVEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Listed out for Friday Matkovic (calf) is out for Friday's game against the Mavericks, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Wednesday Matkovic (calf) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Nuggets.

Impact Matkovic will miss his first game since Oct. 24 due to a right calf strain, and his next opportunity to suit up will come Friday against Dallas. With the 24-year-old big man on the shelf, Derik Queen, Micah Peavy and Yves Missi are candidates for increased playing time, especially if Zion Williamson (hamstring) or Saddiq Bey (ankle) are downgraded from questionable to out.

NOVEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

New Orleans plays Denver on 4-game home slide

New Orleans looks to break its 4-game home skid with a victory against Denver

NOVEMBER 18 • Associated Press

Tacks two steals in loss Matkovic closed with four points (2-3 FG, 0-1 3Pt), two rebounds, three assists and two steals over 20 minutes during Sunday's 124-106 loss to Golden State.

Impact Matkovic set a season-high in minutes Sunday, which was primarily due to the blowout nature of the game, but he was not able to take advantage. With Zion Williamson (hamstring) also slated to return in the coming days, Matkovic's role could reduce significantly soon.

NOVEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Plays well off bench 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.

Impact 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.

NOVEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Gets garbage-time run Monday Matkovic (back) played the final 3:16 of Monday's 122-90 loss to the Celtics, going scoreless (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt) and producing no other statistics.

Impact A back injury kept Matkovic sidelined for the first two contests of the season, but after practicing fully Sunday, he was given the green light to suit up Monday. He made his season debut in garbage time of the blowout, with all of Yves Missi, Herbert Jones, Derik Queen and DeAndre Jordan working ahead of him in the Pelicans' big-man rotation. Matkovic's path to playing time won't get any clearer once Zion Williamson (foot) and Kevon Looney (knee) return to action.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play Matkovic (back) has been cleared to play in Monday's game against Boston, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Boston visits New Orleans after Brown's 41-point game

Boston faces the New Orleans Pelicans after Jaylen Brown scored 41 points in the Celtics' 119-113 loss to the Detroit Pistons

OCTOBER 27 • Associated Press

Questionable to face Boston Matkovic (back) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against Boston.

Impact Matkovic has yet to debut this season due to spasms in his lower back, though he was a full participant in Sunday's practice. If the big man is unable to suit up against Boston, Derik Queen and DeAndre Jordan are candidates for a bump in minutes.

OCTOBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Logs full practice Sunday Matkovic (back) was a full practice participant Sunday, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out Friday Matkovic (back) won't play in Friday's game against San Antonio.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable vs. Spurs Matkovic (back) is questionable for Friday's game against San Antonio.

Impact 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.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Wembanyama leads San Antonio against New Orleans after 40-point game

San Antonio plays the New Orleans Pelicans after Victor Wembanyama scored 40 points in the Spurs' 125-92 win against the Dallas Mavericks

OCTOBER 23 • Associated Press