ATHENS, Greece – AS Monaco’s three-game winning streak in the EuroLeague came to an end Friday night with a 107-97 loss to Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens. The defeat is a significant setback for Monaco as they battle for playoff positioning in the highly competitive league.
The game, played at the OAKA indoor arena in Athens, saw Panathinaikos capitalize on Monaco’s depleted roster, which was without key players Mike James and Daniel Theis. Despite a strong performance from Elie Okobo, Monaco struggled defensively and ultimately couldn’t contain the Greek side’s offensive firepower.
Second Quarter Surge Proves Decisive
Monaco started the game competitively, briefly holding a lead thanks to a basket from Nikola Mirotic. However, Panathinaikos quickly established dominance, particularly through their rebounding prowess. Mathias Lessort and Kenneth Faried proved particularly effective on the offensive glass, giving their team second-chance opportunities.
The turning point of the game came in the second quarter, where Panathinaikos exploded for 37 points, building a commanding 17-point lead at halftime (52-35). Monaco struggled to respond to the barrage of three-pointers from the home team, with Juancho Hernangomez, Marius Grigonis, and Kendrick Nunn leading the charge.
Nunn finished the game with 25 points, while Cedi Osman added crucial points down the stretch, including a three-pointer that extended Panathinaikos’ lead to 16 with five minutes remaining (91-75). Monaco attempted a late rally, narrowing the gap to within 10 points with three minutes left after a three-point play from Okobo, who once again carried the offensive load in James’ absence, scoring 24 points with 13 assists.
However, Panathinaikos closed out the game effectively, with former Parisian player TJ Shorts contributing key points in the final minutes to secure the victory. The final score reflected Panathinaikos’ control throughout much of the contest.
Standings Implications and Playoff Picture
The loss drops Monaco to 19 wins and 15 defeats, tenth in the EuroLeague standings. More concerningly, they are now overtaken by Panathinaikos and Zalgiris Kaunas (who defeated Fenerbahçe) in the race for the sixth and final directly qualifying spot for the playoffs. Five teams are now tightly clustered, making every remaining game crucial.
This result also gives Panathinaikos the head-to-head tiebreaker over Monaco. The “Roca Team” now faces a challenging path to secure a playoff berth, potentially needing to navigate the play-in tournament.
Challenges and Absences for Monaco
Monaco’s performance was undoubtedly hampered by the absence of key players. The team was without both Mike James and Daniel Theis, significantly impacting their interior presence and offensive firepower. The early exit of Kevarrius Hayes, who fouled out in the third quarter, further compounded their problems.
This defeat marks the first loss for Monaco under new head coach Manuchar Markoishvili. The team struggled to contain Panathinaikos’ offensive rebounding, allowing 16 offensive rebounds, 12 of which came in the first half. This allowed Panathinaikos to generate numerous second-chance points and maintain possession.
Looking Ahead
Monaco will require to regroup quickly as they prepare for a crucial road game against Dubai next Thursday in Sarajevo. Dubai currently trails Monaco in the standings, making this matchup particularly essential. A win would be vital to regain momentum and improve their playoff chances.
The team will be hoping for the return of James and Theis to bolster their roster and provide much-needed support. However, even with a fully healthy squad, Monaco will need to address their rebounding issues and improve their defensive consistency to compete with the top teams in the EuroLeague.
The EuroLeague season is entering its final stretch, and every game carries significant weight. Monaco’s ability to overcome adversity and execute their game plan will be crucial as they strive to secure a playoff spot.
Next Up: AS Monaco travels to Sarajevo to face Dubai next Thursday, March 31st. Tip-off time is yet to be confirmed.
