Six players in double figures, a relentless defensive effort and clutch contributions from their leaders helped the Roca Team overturn a determined Barcelona side 93–86 on the evening of Friday, April 10.
Monaco trailed by eight points as the first quarter drew to a close, with Barcelona’s Kevin Punter and Shengelia punishing every lapse from long range. But from that moment on, the Roca Team refused to look back.
Barcelona arrived at the Gaston Médecin with momentum and precision from beyond the arc — 78% from three-point range at one stage — and they showed it early. Will Clyburn opened the scoring with a confident corner three, and between him, Punter and Shengelia, the Catalans built an 18–26 lead by the end of the first quarter. Monaco found their shooting rhythm only in fits and starts, with Matthew Strazel and Elie Okobo doing their best to keep the Roca Family in the contest.
The second period changed everything. A fired-up Juhann Begarin produced a thunderous steal and dunk to bring the crowd to its feet, forcing a Barcelona timeout. Daniel Theis — returning from injury — hit two free throws at a crucial moment, and Strazel’s three-pointer swung the lead to Monaco just before the half-time buzzer: 46–44.
The second half opened with the same intensity. Monaco pressed hard, earned foul calls and pushed their lead to five — but Barcelona’s shooters kept finding answers. Four consecutive three-pointers levelled the game at 58–58, threatening to undo all of Monaco’s hard work. It was Kevarrius Hayes who answered the call. The American centre put together a dominant seven-point sequence — power, footwork and finishing all on display — and Monaco closed the third quarter 72–67 to the fore, despite a buzzer-beating three from Darius Brizuela keeping Barcelona within reach.
Barcelona refused to fold. Punter and Norris pulled them back to 74–73 early in the fourth, but Monaco’s leaders had other ideas. Mike James hit a key three from deep to push the lead back out to four, and the visiting offence increasingly struggled against the Roca Team’s suffocating defence. A turnover led to a Hayes basket, Xavi Pascual called his final timeout, and the Gaston Médecin arena was shaking.
Monaco closed the game with composure and flair. Strazel’s alley-oop to Jaron Blossomgame, who turned to celebrate with the fans, summed up the night. Final score: 93–86. Six players finished in double figures. The defence held firm when it mattered most.
With the victory, Monaco have officially secured their place in the EuroLeague play-in tournament. One game remains, next Friday’s regular-season finale, and the Roca Team will be aiming to finish as high as possible in the standings.