The Pelicans signed Ryan to a standard NBA contract Saturday.
Since the Pelicans claimed him off waivers from the Timberwolves in October, Ryan has spent the entire 2023-24 campaign as one of New Orleans' three two-way players. Heading into Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Lakers, Ryan has appeared in 27 games (one start) while averaging 5.6 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.5 three-pointers in 14.4 minutes per contest. While Ryan isn't expected to be part of New Orleans' rotation during the team's upcoming playoff run, his conversion from a two-way deal to a standard NBA contract at least ensures that he'll be eligible to play during the postseason.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Rare appearance in loss
Rotowire
Ryan closed with no counting stats in zero minutes during Wednesday's 117-108 loss to the Magic.
Ryan barely saw the floor again Wednesday, cracking the rotation for just the fifth time in the past 11 games. During that time, he has played a combined 21 minutes, tallying five total points. Barring a number of injuries to other players, Ryan should remain on waivers in all formats.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Scores two off bench
Rotowire
Ryan ended Thursday's 121-106 loss to the Magic with two points (1-3 FG, 0-2 3Pt) in six minutes.
Ryan dealt with an illness ahead of Thursday's matchup but still saw a few minutes of playing time off the bench. The 26-year-old has been an inconsistent part of the Pelicans' rotation this year and is unlikely to be a major contributor down the stretch.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Available for Thursday
Rotowire
Ryan (illness) is available Thursday against the Magic.
Ryan has struggled to see consistent minutes this season, making just seven appearances since Nov. 18. He hasn't been a consistent part of the Pelicans' rotation in recent weeks.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Questionable for Thursday
Rotowire
Ryan is listed as questionable for Thursday's game versus the Magic due to a non-COVID illness.
Ryan has received inconsistent playing time for New Orleans this season. If the 26-year-old forward is ruled out, it is unlikely to impact the Pelicans' rotation.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Back with NBA team
Rotowire
The Pelicans recalled Ryan from the G League's Birmingham Squadron on Monday.
Assuming Ryan is active for Monday's game in Boston, he'll be suiting up for the Pelicans for the first time since Nov. 18 after missing more than two months while recovering from surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow. The two-way forward was cleared for game action last week and made two appearances for the Squadron, averaging 8.5 points, 2.5 assists, 2.0 three-pointers and 1.0 rebounds in 22.2 minutes between those contests.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Transferred to G League
Rotowire
The Pelicans transferred Ryan (elbow) to the Birmingham Squadron of the G League on Tuesday.
Ryan hasn't played since Nov. 18 after undergoing right elbow shoulder surgery. The two-way forward's move to the G League likely signals that he's at least been cleared to resume practicing with the Squadron, even if he doesn't immediately play for the affiliate.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Undergoes surgery, out 6-to-8 weeks
Rotowire
The Pelicans announced Tuesday that Ryan underwent surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow and will be sidelined for approximately 6-to-8 weeks, Andrew Lopez of ESPN.com reports.
Ryan missed 11 straight games due to elbow soreness, but he was diagnosed with a strain Monday and underwent surgery Tuesday. The sharpshooter was a consistent part of the Pelicans' rotation earlier in the season, averaging 9.3 points in 23.0 minutes across 13 appearances (one start), but he was headed for a reduced role after CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy got cleared to return from lengthy injury-related absences.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Unavailable Monday
Rotowire
Ryan (elbow) is out for Monday's game against the Timberwolves.
Ryan will miss an 11th consecutive game due to elbow soreness that has been the cause of his last four absences. It remains unclear when Ryan will be able to return, his next chance will come Wednesday against the Wizards.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Won't face Lakers
Rotowire
Ryan (elbow) is out for Thursday's game against the Lakers.
Ryan will miss a third straight contest with right elbow soreness, and it'll be his 10th consecutive absence overall including time missed while battling a calf injury. While it's unclear how close Ryan is to a return, his next chance to play will come Monday against Minnesota.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Still out
Rotowire
Ryan (elbow) is out for Monday's game against the Kings.
Ryan missed seven straight games with a calf injury and will now miss a second consecutive game due to right elbow soreness. It may be difficult for Ryan to carve out a role when he returns, especially now that Trey Murphy and CJ McCollum are back in the lineup.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Out again
Rotowire
Ryan will not play in Saturday's game against the Bulls due to right elbow soreness.
Ryan has missed the Pelicans' previous seven games with a calf injury. This is the first time he is being reported as sidelined due to elbow soreness. Once he returns, he will presumably have a tough time cracking New Orleans' rotation.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Unavailable Friday
Rotowire
Ryan (calf) is unavailable for Friday's game against the Spurs.
This will be the seventh game in a row on the shelf for Ryan. With the Pelicans getting healthier, Ryan will have a difficult time cracking the rotation when he's cleared to suit up again.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Dealing with mild calf strain
Rotowire
The Pelicans announced Monday that Ryan will be sidelined for approximately 10-to-14 days due to a mild right calf strain.
Ryan is averaging 23.0 minutes per game this season, so his absence will open up significant playing time, especially if CJ McCollum (lung) and Trey Murphy (knee) remain sidelined. Jordan Hawkins has the most comparable skill set to Ryan among New Orleans' reserves, so he's an obvious choice to take most of Ryan's minutes, but Jose Alvarado, Dyson Daniels and Naji Marshall could also see slightly larger roles until Ryan is cleared to return.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Questionable for Monday
Rotowire
Ryan is questionable for Monday's game against Sacramento due to right calf soreness.
Ryan has appeared in each of the Pelicans' first 13 games this season, but it's unclear whether he'll be available against the Kings. If he's unavailable, Jordan Hawkins, Naji Marshall and Dyson Daniels could see some additional minutes. For fantasy purposes, Ryan is mostly a threes specialist, hitting better than 47 percent of his attempts from downtown to begin the year.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Delivers 17 points from bench
Rotowire
Ryan accumulated 17 points (5-8 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 3-3 FT) and one assist over 25 minutes during Monday's 134-116 loss to the Nuggets.
Ryan seems to have landed in the right spot after stints with the Celtics, Lakers and Timberwolves over the last two seasons. His shooting acumen at the perimeter has been his strongest suit. He's averaging 6.1 attempts beyond the arc with a conversion percentage of 41.9 percent, which provides an added dimension when he steps in for relief.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Heads back to bench
Rotowire
Ryan is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Hawks.
Ryan moves back to the bench with the return of Zion Williamson. Ryan is averaging 7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game when coming off the bench (four appearances) this season.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Enters starting lineup
Rotowire
Ryan will enter the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Pistons, Christian Clark of NOLA.com reports.
Zion Williamson is getting the night off for rest, as Thursday's game is the second leg of a back-to-back set. Ryan has played 21.5 minutes per game through four contests this season, averaging 7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.0 three-pointers.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Leads bench offensively in loss
Rotowire
Ryan notched 12 points (4-9 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), two rebounds, two assists and one steal in 27 minutes during Monday's 130-102 loss to the Warriors.
Ryan led all New Orleans bench players in scoring and minutes while finishing as one of six players with a double-digit point total in Monday's blowout loss to Golden State. It was Ryan's first double-digit scoring effort this season, and he's averaging 8.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 22.3 minutes through three games.
... See More... See Less
Pelicans' Matt Ryan: Claimed by Pelicans
Rotowire
Ryan signed a two-way contract with New Orleans on Sunday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Ryan was waived by the Timberwolves on Friday prior to the Pelicans claiming him. He'll provide shooting reinforcement as New Orleans attempts to overcome the early-season absences of Trey Murphy (knee) and Naji Marshall (knee). Ryan connected on 38.1 percent of 84 total three-point attempts last season.
