EuroLeague Playoffs: Olympiacos Crushes Monaco 91-70 in Game 1, Takes Commanding Lead

PIRAEUS, Greece — The EuroLeague playoffs opened with a statement. Olympiacos Piraeus, playing on its home court at Peace and Friendship Stadium, dominated AS Monaco from the opening tip, cruising to a 91-70 victory in Game 1 of their best-of-five quarterfinal series. The win gives the Greek powerhouse a 1-0 lead and puts Monaco — the reigning French champions and a Final Four hopeful — in an immediate must-win situation heading into Game 2 on Thursday.

For a team that had just secured its playoff berth less than 24 hours earlier with a win over Barcelona, Monaco looked fatigued and out of sync. Olympiacos, meanwhile, played with the precision and intensity of a team that had been resting and preparing for this moment. The result was never in doubt after the first quarter, and by the final buzzer, the 21-point margin felt like a fair reflection of the night’s play.

What Happened: A Night to Forget for Monaco

The game tipped off at 11:00 a.m. Local time (8:00 a.m. UTC) under bright lights in front of a raucous home crowd. From the start, Olympiacos imposed its will. The hosts shot 52% from the field in the first half, including 44% from three-point range, although Monaco struggled to find its rhythm, shooting just 38% overall and 29% from beyond the arc in the same span.

By halftime, Olympiacos led 48-32, and the deficit only grew in the second half. Monaco’s offense, which had averaged 84.5 points per game in the regular season, was stifled by Olympiacos’ aggressive defense. The hosts forced 14 turnovers, converting them into 22 points, while also outrebounding Monaco 38-30. Every time Monaco threatened to close the gap, Olympiacos answered with a run, including an 11-0 spurt in the third quarter that effectively sealed the game.

The final score — 91-70 — was the largest margin of victory in the first game of any EuroLeague playoff series this season. It was also Monaco’s worst loss of the campaign, surpassing a 15-point defeat to Real Madrid in February.

Key Performances: Olympiacos’ Depth Overwhelms Monaco

Several Olympiacos players turned in standout performances, but none more so than forward Sasha Vezenkov, the reigning 2025-26 EuroLeague MVP. Vezenkov, who had been named league MVP just days earlier, delivered a masterclass, finishing with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists on 8-of-12 shooting. His ability to stretch the floor (4-of-6 from three) and attack the rim kept Monaco’s defense on its heels all night.

Vezenkov wasn’t alone. Guard Kostas Sloukas, a veteran of multiple EuroLeague title runs, added 15 points and 6 assists, while center Mouhammadou Jaiteh dominated the paint with 14 points and 9 rebounds. The depth of Olympiacos’ roster was on full display, with six players scoring in double figures.

For Monaco, the night was far less kind. Guard Mike James, the team’s leading scorer in the regular season, was held to just 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting. James, who had averaged 18.7 points per game entering the playoffs, was visibly frustrated by Olympiacos’ double teams and physical defense. Forward John Brown III, another key piece of Monaco’s offense, was limited to 8 points and 5 rebounds.

Monaco’s bench, which had been a strength all season, was outscored 31-12 by Olympiacos’ reserves. The lack of production from role players proved costly, as Monaco’s starters were forced to play heavy minutes in a losing effort.

Turning Points: Where the Game Slipped Away

The game’s momentum shifted decisively in the first quarter. Olympiacos jumped out to a 12-2 lead within the first four minutes, forcing Monaco coach Saša Obradović to call an early timeout. The hosts never trailed after that, and by the end of the first period, they led 24-16.

The second quarter was even worse for Monaco. Olympiacos outscored the visitors 24-16 in the frame, with Vezenkov and Sloukas combining for 14 points. Monaco’s offense looked stagnant, with too many contested mid-range jumpers and not enough movement. The halftime deficit of 16 points felt insurmountable, and it was.

The third quarter featured Monaco’s best stretch of the game — a 9-0 run that cut the lead to 57-46 with 5:30 remaining. But Olympiacos quickly extinguished the comeback, answering with an 11-0 run of its own. By the time the dust settled, the hosts led 68-46, and the game was effectively over.

“We came out flat, and they punished us,” James said after the game. “They’re a great team, and they played like it. We have to be better.”

Health Scares Add to Monaco’s Misery

Monaco’s struggles were compounded by health issues. Four players — Elie Okobo, Jaron Blossomgame, Donatas Motiejūnas, and Will Cherry — were listed as questionable or doubtful for Game 1 due to illness or minor injuries. While all four eventually suited up, their availability was limited, and their impact was minimal.

Okobo, Monaco’s starting point guard, played just 18 minutes and scored 6 points. Blossomgame, a key defensive presence, was held scoreless in 12 minutes of action. The absences disrupted Monaco’s rotations and forced Obradović to rely heavily on his starters, who were already struggling against Olympiacos’ depth.

“We had some guys who weren’t 100%, and that hurt us,” Obradović admitted postgame. “But we can’t use that as an excuse. We have to find a way to win, no matter what.”

What It Means: Monaco Faces an Uphill Battle

With the 1-0 deficit, Monaco now faces a steep climb to advance to the EuroLeague Final Four. Historically, teams that lose Game 1 of a best-of-five series in the EuroLeague playoffs have won the series just 22% of the time. For Monaco, the math is daunting.

The task is made even more difficult by the fact that Game 2 will also be played in Piraeus. Olympiacos, which finished the regular season with a 24-10 record and the second-best home record in the league (13-2), will look to close out the series on its home court. If Monaco can’t find a way to sluggish down Vezenkov and contain Olympiacos’ three-point shooting, the series could be over before it even returns to Monaco for Game 3.

For Olympiacos, the win is a statement. The Greek club, which last won the EuroLeague in 2013, has been building toward this moment all season. With Vezenkov at the peak of his powers and a deep, balanced roster, Olympiacos is now the favorite to advance to the Final Four, which will be held in Berlin next month.

Tactical Adjustments: What Monaco Must Fix

Monaco’s Game 1 performance exposed several tactical flaws that Obradović will require to address before Game 2:

• Defensive Communication: Olympiacos’ ball movement exploited Monaco’s pick-and-roll defense, leading to open threes and easy baskets at the rim. Monaco must improve its rotations and close out on shooters more aggressively.
• Transition Defense: Olympiacos scored 18 fast-break points, many of them off Monaco turnovers. The visitors must limit live-ball turnovers and receive back on defense more quickly.
• Bench Production: Monaco’s reserves were outscored 31-12. Players like Yoan Makoundou and Jaleen Smith will need to provide more offensive spark.
• Crunch-Time Execution: Monaco was outscored 12-4 in the final five minutes of the first half, a stretch that broke the game open. The team must execute better in late-clock situations.

“We have to be smarter,” James said. “We can’t turn the ball over 14 times. We can’t let them get easy baskets in transition. We have to match their energy.”

What’s Next: Game 2 on Thursday

Monaco will have little time to regroup. Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday, April 30, at 11:00 a.m. Local time (8:00 a.m. UTC) at Peace and Friendship Stadium in Piraeus. If Monaco loses again, the series will shift to Monaco for Game 3 on Sunday, May 3, with the pressure mounting on the home team to avoid elimination.

For Olympiacos, the focus will be on maintaining its intensity and avoiding complacency. While the hosts are in the driver’s seat, they know Monaco is capable of a bounce-back performance. “We can’t take them lightly,” Sloukas said. “They’re a great team, and they’ll be ready.”

Key Takeaways

• Olympiacos dominates from start to finish: The hosts led by double digits for most of the game and never trailed after the first four minutes.
• Sasha Vezenkov shines: The EuroLeague MVP scored 22 points and was a constant mismatch for Monaco’s defense.
• Monaco’s health issues hurt: Four key players were limited by illness or injury, disrupting the team’s rotations.
• Historical precedent is grim: Teams that lose Game 1 of a best-of-five series advance just 22% of the time.
• Monaco must fix its defense: Olympiacos shot 52% from the field and 44% from three in the first half.
• Next game is critical: Game 2 is Thursday in Piraeus. a loss would place Monaco on the brink of elimination.

For fans looking to follow the series, official updates and live stats can be found on the EuroLeague’s official Game Center. The league will also provide live commentary and highlights on its social media channels.

What do you think Monaco needs to do to bounce back in Game 2? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow Archysport for all the latest EuroLeague playoff coverage.