“Madness” throughout the month of March applies to the NBA, too, and with the opportunity to create it against the postseason-bound Minnesota Timberwolves, Karlo Matković and the upset-minded New Orleans Pelicans constructed quite the plan. In-sync with his All-Star teammate throughout a come-from-behind second quarter on March 19, 2025, the rookie 7-footer uses a simple finger point to direct his next move, working a ninja-like backdoor cut against the Wolves’ unfocused zone defense. Concentrating in, even as Jaden McDaniels makes a final effort to contest, Matković elevates, flushing in an alley-oop jam to guarantee himself a spot on the end-of-night highlight reel. More ambitious than an opponent with much more to play for, the Pelicans rode plays of that type to a four-point victory, even as 13.5-point road underdogs. In 19 bench minutes, Matković pieced together five points (on two-of-four shooting), one rebound, two assists (alongside four additional “screen assists”), and a +7 plus-minus. · Mar 20, 2025