Monaco opened their decisive three-game home run in front of a raucous Gaston Médecin crowd on Wednesday, April 8, knowing nothing less than victory would keep their play-in ambitions firmly on track. The Roca Team did exactly what was asked of them and then some.

Despite a depleted squad, with Daniel Theis absent for personal reasons and Nemanja Nedovic and Terry Tarpey both sidelined through injury, the occasion was marked by a timely return. Mike James, Monaco’s talismanic point guard, was back on home court and wasted no time making an impact, delivering an assist on his very first touch of the ball.

Matthew Strazel set the early tempo, drilling back-to-back three-pointers to open a 7 to 2 lead. ASVEL settled gradually, with Harrison taking matters into his own hands, scoring 11 of his side’s first 15 points to flip the scoreboard (10 to 17). Monaco, unfazed, responded through Elie Okobo’s orchestration and Kevarrius Hayes’ physical play at the basket, restoring their lead by the end of the first quarter (22 to 21).

The second period saw Nikola Mirotic impose himself, accumulating 11 points in the opening exchanges as Monaco steadily extended their advantage to double figures. Strazel continued to punish Villeurbanne’s defence, and a superb defensive play by the French international in the final seconds of the half capped a controlled, professional first half with Monaco leading 46 to 36.

The Roca Team’s defensive intensity carried into the third quarter, suffocating ASVEL’s offence and forcing turnover after turnover. Harrison remained dangerous from distance, finishing 5 of 6 from three-point range, but Monaco’s collective discipline held firm. They entered the fourth quarter with a commanding ten-point cushion at 64 to 54.

ASVEL refused to surrender. Two rapid three-pointers at the start of the final quarter reduced the deficit to four (64 to 60), and Angola twice hit from range late on to bring the visitors within two. Tension gripped the arena in the closing minute with the Roca Team clinging to a 76 to 74 lead.

Then Elie Okobo stepped forward. With the clock winding down and the game in the balance, he launched and landed a long-range winner to send Gaston Médecin into delirium. Monaco 81, ASVEL 76.

The victory puts Monaco in strong shape for the play-in race, with two further home games to come. Next up is a high-stakes encounter against FC Barcelona on Friday.