The Roca Team, reigning French champions, suffered a significant setback in the EuroLeague on the evening of Thursday, October 24, falling 87-80 to Paris at home. The defeat marks Monaco’s first loss at the Gaston-Médecin arena this season and comes after a hard-fought battle in which they struggled to keep up with a dominant performance from Paris’ TJ Shorts.
Despite a strong effort from Monaco’s Élie Okobo, who led a spirited second-half comeback, the team was unable to fully recover from an early deficit. Okobo’s 13 points and key plays in the third quarter helped bring Monaco back into the lead briefly (57-56 in the 28th minute), but the defending champions could not maintain the momentum. A combination of defensive lapses and offensive inconsistency, especially from key players Mike James and Jordan Loyd, who both had subpar performances, left Monaco vulnerable.
Paris, on the other hand, seized control from the outset. They opened the game with a 9-0 run and sustained pressure throughout, with Shorts delivering a standout performance, recording 28 points and 10 assists. Monaco’s defence, usually reliable, faltered under the relentless pace set by Paris, who hit 53 percent of their shots from long range in the first half.
Monaco managed to close the gap in the third quarter, with Mam Jaiteh contributing key plays in the paint and Okobo orchestrating a brief lead for the Roca Team. However, as the game reached its decisive moments, Monaco faltered. TJ Shorts once again took command, hitting crucial three-pointers and making game-changing assists to stifle Monaco’s comeback hopes.
The loss is a tough blow for Sasa Obradovic’s Monaco, who now face the challenge of regrouping quickly. Their next test comes in the Betclic Elite against Nancy on Saturday, followed by a return to EuroLeague action against Partizan on Wednesday, October 30. Monaco will need to address their defensive issues and regain their offensive rhythm as they look to stay competitive in both domestic and continental competitions.
For now, Monaco must reflect on a missed opportunity at home, where they had previously been unbeaten, and adjust before facing tougher challenges ahead.