The Final Play: How Monaco Defied the Odds

With 1.2 seconds remaining and the score tied at 92-92, Monaco inbounded the ball to James at the top of the key. After a brief hesitation—his 39th birthday just hours earlier—James rose for a step-back three, sinking the game-winning shot over ASVEL’s Joffrey Lauvergne. The crowd at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy erupted as James collapsed to the floor, his final act as a professional basketball player cementing his legacy in French basketball history.

James finished the game with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks, becoming the first player in Pro A history to record a triple-double in a championship-deciding Game 5. His performance was all the more remarkable given that he had been benched for much of the season due to a lingering knee injury. “This was for all the fans who believed in me when no one else did,” James told reporters afterward, his voice cracking. “And for Monaco, who gave me one last dance.”

Key Moments: The Comeback That Defined a Season

Monaco trailed by as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter before launching a 14-0 run to take the lead. The turning point came at the 6:30 mark when James, inserted as a sixth man, scored back-to-back layups to spark the surge. ASVEL’s Nando de Colo, who had been on pace for a triple-double, fouled out with 2:30 left, removing the team’s best defender from the court.

ASVEL’s Joffrey Lauvergne, who had been the series’ top scorer with 32 points in Game 4, was held to just 14 points in the final game. Meanwhile, Monaco’s forward Niccla Fuller (22 points, 8 rebounds) and guard Joffrey Tavares (18 points, 7 assists) provided the secondary scoring that proved decisive.

What This Means for Monaco’s Future

The championship is a historic achievement for Monaco, who had not won the league since 2009. The team’s success is all the more significant given the roster’s youth—nearly half of Monaco’s rotation is under 24 years old—and the challenges posed by a grueling EuroLeague schedule. “This title is for the next generation,” Monaco head coach Zdravko Radulović said. “We built this team to compete in Europe, and tonight we proved we can do it at home too.”

James, who signed with Monaco in 2022 after a 13-year NBA career, had been a polarizing figure during his tenure. Critics questioned his fitness and impact, but his ability to elevate his game in clutch moments—particularly in this series—silenced doubters. “Mike was the heart of this team,” said Monaco president Jean-Louis Campora. “He didn’t just play for Monaco; he played for the fans, for the city, and for the history of this club.”

With James now retired, Monaco will look to build around its young core, including 20-year-old guard Thomas Heurtel, who averaged 12.4 points per game in the playoffs. The team will also need to address key free-agent departures, including the potential loss of Fuller, who has drawn interest from NBA teams.

ASVEL’s Heartbreak: A Season of Near-Misses

ASVEL, who entered the season as the league favorites, had reached the French Cup final and the EuroLeague playoffs. However, their inability to close out the championship series—despite leading the regular season by 10 games—leaves questions about their ceiling. “We gave everything tonight, but Monaco was just better in the end,” de Colo said. “This is a tough pill to swallow, but we’ll take what we’ve learned and come back stronger.”

ASVEL’s roster, which includes NBA veterans like Lauvergne and Alize Johnson, will now focus on securing a spot in the EuroLeague next season. The team’s general manager, Jean-Luc Monsempès, has indicated that a major roster overhaul is unlikely, suggesting continuity in the lineup.

Looking Ahead: Monaco’s Next Challenges

Monaco’s immediate focus will be on retaining key players and preparing for the 2024-25 EuroLeague campaign. The team has already secured a spot in the regular season after finishing third in the 2023-24 competition. However, the financial realities of French basketball mean that Monaco will need to navigate a tight budget, particularly after the salary expenditures required to sign James and other veterans.

The team’s next match will be a friendly against Real Madrid on June 15 in Monaco, followed by the start of the 2024-25 Pro A season on September 27. Monaco will also host a championship celebration at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy on June 15, where James is expected to be honored.