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Keith Smith: Another big game for Mario Hezonja as Croatia rolled over Latvia: 28/3/7. Karlo Matkovic had a big night too: 17 points on 8-for-8 shooting. Ivica Zubac had 6 points (all FTs) and 8 rebounds.
To that end, the Knicks spoke to multiple teams about trades for big men under contract earlier in the offseason. One of those big men was New Orleans’ Karlo Matkovic, per league sources; nothing came to fruition. New York targeted Moussa Cisse as a restricted free agent, but Dallas matched the offer.
Karlo Matkovic: ‘The role of a veteran is very important, and DeAndre Jordan really helped me a lot this year. It helps to have a team like that where someone doesn't just come to me and say 'Cheers' and then ignore me. He learned from Jokić, he learned from Dončić. (…) He really turned out to be an 'extra' veteran. I go with him after games; he calls me, we joke around, it's great. But you can also see how he maintains his body—it’s unreal.’
Karlo Matkovic on LeBron James: ‘He literally made a son to be his teammate. People talk about him and say he’s not good, but at the very least, he brought his son into the league. LeBron said he can play, he said '100% believe me.' And Bronny is not bad in the G League; he is strong, even though he is small. You have people like Brunson saying from the side that he thinks he can't make it, but all those haters... everyone has their own opinion. It's a unique situation in the league. You have to respect the fact that LeBron made this happen. Whether Bronny is a professional at that level yet is what everyone is debating, but you can't deny the power of that legacy move and the marketing behind it.’
Michael Scotto: The New Orleans Pelicans have exercised their third-year, $2.30 million team option for the 2026-27 season on forward Karlo Matković. He averaged 5.7 points on 60.4% shooting from the field and 42.2% from 3-point range with 3.7 rebounds in 62 games played last season.
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The Pelicans have listed Dejounte Murray (left hand contusion) as questionable for Sunday's game against Orlando. Karlo Matkovic (low back spasms) and Trey Murphy (right ankle sprain) are also questionable.
Matkovic soared for a 360-degree alley-oop finish off a lob from Jeremiah Fears. Surprisingly, the NBA drug tested Matković after he completed the 360 alley-oop, which the Pelicans star himself shared on social media. “Ofc I’m drug tested today,” Karlo Matkovic wrote on Instagram with three laughing emojis.
Pelicans Film Room: "He had major impact... Our pace numbers are extremely high... When he is in there, he changes our pace immediately... He provides a different element to our offense and our defense" -- James Borrego on Karlo Matkovic
"He had major impact... Our pace numbers are extremely high... When he is in there, he changes our pace immediately... He provides a different element to our offense and our defense"
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) December 5, 2025
-- James Borrego on Karlo Matkovic pic.twitter.com/pgvKkhsnRe
Will Guillory: Pelicans injury update: Zion Williamson (left foot bone contusion) has been downgraded to questionable for tonight's game vs Boston. Yves Missi (right ankle sprain) and Karlo Matkovic (low back spasms) have been upgraded to available.
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Speaking to the media outlet from his homeland, Sportske Novosti, Karlo Matkovic shared his experience from the United States and talked about the toughest opponent he faced in the league. “It was toughest to play against Jokic. He’s constantly active — it might seem like he has slowed down, and then he explodes. You never know where he’s going; he knows all our plays. Against players like that, you have to stay fully focused. I looked up at the scoreboard at one point and saw he had 20 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists — and you could barely even feel it. He keeps the same rhythm the whole time,” Matkovic admitted.
Anthony Chiang: The Pelicans' long injury report for tonight's game vs. Heat: Out: Brandon Boston, Bruce Brown, Jordan Hawkins, Herbert Jones, CJ McCollum, Yves Missi, Trey Murphy, Dejounte Murray, Kelly Olynyk and Zion Williamson. Questionable: Jose Alvarado and Karlo Matkovic.
Jim Eichenhofer:New Orleans rookies Yves Missi (16-8), Karlo Matkovic (19-8), Antonio Reeves (17 pts off bench) deliver big production, leading #Pelicans to 112-99 home victory over 76ers. Elfrid Payton 14 ast. Pels go up 23 in 4Q en route to win. Postgame wrap: https://neworlns.co/4c9PUq8
