Denain Voltaire, ALM Évreux, and Caen Basket Calvados stand undefeated at the top of the LNB ÉLITE 2 standings following a high-stakes multiplex of the third round of fixtures on Friday, October 9, 2026. The early-season table highlights stark contrasts across the division as promoted sides, low-budget rosters, and title contenders establish their initial trajectories.
Évreux Claims Early-Season Standout Victory Over Vichy
ALM Évreux delivered the defining narrative of the early campaign by securing an 81-93 road victory against JA Vichy at the Palais des Sports Pierre Coulon. Operating with the division’s smallest budget and lowest payroll, Évreux constructed a dominant transition offense, recording 24 assists against just 12 turnovers. The visitors shot 10-of-22 from beyond the arc for 45 percent accuracy, overturning a difficult start to maintain a flawless 3-0 record. Vichy played the fixture without Elian Benitez, falling to a 40.8 percent shooting mark from the field despite a 42-34 rebounding edge.
Denain and Caen Complete the Unbeaten Trio at the Top
Denain Voltaire retained first place in the ÉLITE 2 table on points difference despite sharing a 3-0 record with Évreux and Caen. Denain fended off Levallois 78-71 on Friday, relying on late-game execution in the fourth quarter. Oscar Wembanyama paced the northern club with 17 points and five rebounds for a 23 efficiency rating, building on a 16-point performance earlier in the week in the Coupe de France. Meanwhile, Caen Basket Calvados secured the third spot among undefeated sides by defeating Hyères-Toulon 90-77. Backed by the third-highest payroll in the league, the Norman club improved upon its position from the previous season.
Châlons-Reims and Poitiers Record Lopsided Margins
Châlons-Reims rebounded from a 25-point defeat against Denain last week by overwhelming Aix-Maurienne 87-59. Valentin Vitale-Boiteux led the Champagne Basket charge with 21 points and a 25 efficiency rating against his former club, which had blocked his departure during the summer. In another high-scoring affair, Poitiers defeated Nantes 90-73 in a rematch of the previous season’s playoff semifinals. Poitiers achieved the victory despite missing team captain Kevin Harley.
Promoted Clubs Experience Diverging Fortunes in Round Three
In a clash of two promoted clubs, Le Havre defeated Fos Provence Basket 94-79 at home. Le Havre utilized physical dominance in the paint, converting 35-of-50 two-point attempts and outrebounding Fos 36 to 28. Fos Provence, which secured a late reprieve in late August following the Monaco administrative situation, sits at the bottom of the standings with an 0-3 record. Elsewhere, Saint-Chamond edged La Rochelle 81-84 behind a fourth-quarter three-point surge that saw them hit 8-of-10 from deep. La Rochelle played shorthanded in the backcourt as Bensley Joseph dealt with an adductor injury while awaiting the arrival of temporary replacement Jase Townsend.
Rouen and Antibes Win as Third Round Concludes
Rouen secured an 85-78 tactical victory over Blois, drawing level with their opponents in the standings. Antibes defeated Orléans 89-85, with head coach JD Jackson noting that his revamped roster aims to disrupt the upper tier of the division this season. The third round of ÉLITE 2 concludes on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 20:00 local time with the fixture between Quimper and ASA.
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