Once both considered top contenders in the EuroLeague Power Rankings at the season’s outset, AS Monaco and Panathinaikos met under unusual circumstances this Friday at OAKA. Both teams have faced various challenges, leading to disappointing performances this season, and are now in a crucial final stretch, battling to avoid the play-in tournament—a scenario few would have predicted last September.
Despite Nikola Mirotic’s return, Monaco’s interior game struggled significantly, largely due to Daniel Theis’s absence. Even Élie Okobo’s impressive performance, contributing 26 assists without a single turnover this week, couldn’t prevent his team from falling to a 107-97 defeat in Greece.
From the opening tip-off, Monaco found themselves on the back foot. After just four minutes, the Principality club had managed only two points (7-2, 4th minute). Nemanja Nedovic briefly stemmed the tide (7-5, 5th minute), helping Monaco take a narrow lead by the end of a first quarter marred by seven turnovers (15-16, 10th minute).
A Decisive Second Quarter
Despite Jaron Blossomgame’s boundless energy (7 points and 5 rebounds by halftime), the Roca Team quickly crumbled. Heavily outplayed under the basket, conceding 12 offensive rebounds to their opponents, they failed to capitalize on the Greeks’ initial struggles, who started the game missing their first ten three-point attempts.
Driven by Kendrick Nunn, who maintained his consistent performance (10 points and 3 assists at halftime), and an excellent TJ Shorts (7 points and 2 steals by the break), Ergin Ataman’s squad had already built a comfortable lead by the time they headed back to the locker room (52-35, 20th minute).
“We need to fight harder. In terms of effort, they are constantly surpassing us,” explained ASM coach Manuchar Makoishvili just before the second half began. Easier said than done, especially with a squad reduced to nine players, depleted by departures and injuries, while their opponents could bring in quality bench players like Juancho Hernangomez or Kenneth Faried.
Despite the challenges, the Georgian coach’s team didn’t give up. Led by an offensively dominant Élie Okobo (24 points, 13 assists), the Principality club displayed a strong competitive spirit, though it wasn’t enough to truly threaten the Greens. Physically outmatched, Monaco eventually succumbed, and will now have to redouble their efforts to secure a EuroLeague playoff spot.
