The Roca Team rediscovered their rhythm on the European stage with a hard-fought 102–92 victory over Baskonia at the Salle Gaston Médecin on the evening of Friday, February 13, bringing an end to a frustrating five-game losing streak in the EuroLeague.
It was a game that demanded patience. Monaco were made to work for every inch against a Baskonia side that came out firing from long range and refused to let the hosts settle. The visitors’ three-point accuracy in the first half proved particularly punishing, allowing the Spanish club to edge ahead at the break despite Monaco’s strong spells.
Daniel Theis set the early tone inside the paint, well fed by Mike James, as the Roca Team started with intent. But Baskonia quickly found their range from beyond the arc, draining three-pointer after three-pointer to keep the scoreboard tight. Nikola Mirotic made an immediate impact off the bench, while Elie Okobo added a burst of energy late in the opening quarter to keep Monaco in touch.
The second quarter saw Baskonia turn up the heat. Their outside shooting reached remarkable levels, and a late surge gave the Basques a narrow halftime advantage. Monaco’s defensive intensity dipped briefly, and the visitors capitalised, heading into the locker room with momentum on their side.
After the interval, however, the tone shifted.
Monaco tightened up defensively and began to dictate the tempo. Mike James orchestrated the offence with greater authority, finding teammates in space and attacking the rim when needed. A 9–0 run in the third quarter swung the balance, with Alpha Diallo and Mirotic playing key roles at both ends of the floor.
Still, Baskonia refused to go away. The game remained delicately poised heading into the final ten minutes, with both sides trading baskets in a tense atmosphere.
It was in the fourth quarter that Monaco finally asserted control. James took command, driving decisively and creating openings for others, while Nemanja Nedovic and Okobo delivered from distance at crucial moments. Juhann Begarin added a vital contribution, helping stretch the lead as the Roca Team gradually pulled clear.
With the crowd fully behind them, Monaco managed the closing stages with composure, pushing the advantage into double digits and sealing a much-needed 102–92 win.
Mike James finished with 17 points, while Okobo and Mirotic added 16 apiece, underlining a collective performance built on leadership and resilience.
After weeks of frustration in Europe, the victory not only restores confidence but also reopens Monaco’s path toward playoff contention — a timely response as the EuroLeague regular season enters its decisive phase.