Published on October 17, 2025 at 07:30 PM by driblio.net
Date
2025-10-17
Venue
Round
Round 5
Attendance
4177
AS Monaco bounced back from their recent road loss to claim a crucial 90-84 victory over Valencia Basket in Round 5 EuroLeague action. Playing in front of 4,177 fans, Monaco dominated the first half before weathering a determined Valencia comeback attempt in the second half to secure their third win of the campaign.
The victory was particularly important for Monaco, who had dropped their previous game against Virtus Bologna on the road. Coming into this contest with a mixed bag of results, the home side needed a strong performance to solidify their position in the standings. Valencia, meanwhile, arrived in Monaco desperately seeking their first away win of the season after consecutive losses to Hapoel Tel Aviv and Barcelona.
Monaco came out firing on all cylinders in the opening quarter, racing to a 27-22 lead. The home side's offensive execution was crisp, and their defensive intensity set the tempo early. Matthew Strazel emerged as an early catalyst, while the team's collective energy had Valencia on their heels from the opening tip.
The second quarter belonged entirely to Monaco, as they put together their most impressive 10-minute stretch of the game. Outscoring Valencia 30-15 in the period, Monaco built a commanding 57-37 halftime advantage. The 20-point cushion seemed insurmountable as the teams headed to the locker rooms, with Monaco's offensive rhythm clicking and Valencia struggling to find any consistent scoring options.
Mike James, Monaco's veteran floor general, orchestrated the offense with precision during this dominant stretch, though his scoring numbers would remain modest. The team's balanced attack saw multiple players contributing, making it difficult for Valencia's defense to key in on any single threat.
Whatever adjustments Valencia coach made during halftime proved effective, as his team came out with renewed purpose in the third quarter. The visitors flipped the script entirely, outscoring Monaco 25-14 in the period to cut the deficit to just nine points heading into the final frame. The momentum had completely shifted, and suddenly the game that looked like a blowout was very much in doubt.
Brancou Badio led Valencia's charge with his aggressive scoring mentality, finishing the game with an impressive 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting. The Senegalese guard provided the spark Valencia desperately needed, attacking the basket with confidence and knocking down crucial three-pointers when Monaco's defense sagged off him.
Josep Puerto also stepped up for Valencia, contributing 13 points while registering a team-best plus-11 rating in his 18 minutes off the bench. His energy and hustle helped change the complexion of the game during Valencia's comeback attempt.
With their comfortable lead evaporating, Monaco needed someone to step up and stop the bleeding in the fourth quarter. The home side showed their championship mettle, matching Valencia's intensity while making the crucial plays down the stretch to preserve the victory. The final period saw Monaco outscore Valencia 19-22, enough to maintain their advantage despite the visitors' continued pressure.
Alpha Diallo was Monaco's most efficient performer on the night, posting 16 points on an outstanding 7-of-10 shooting from the field. The American forward controlled the paint, grabbed five rebounds, and provided crucial scoring when Monaco needed baskets most. His ability to finish around the rim kept Valencia's defense honest throughout the contest.
Matthew Strazel delivered one of his finest performances of the season, scoring 14 points while dishing out three assists and drawing six fouls. The young French guard showed poise beyond his years, particularly in the tense fourth quarter when Monaco needed steady hands. His plus-8 rating was second-best among Monaco starters, reflecting his overall impact on both ends of the floor.
Nikola Mirotic provided invaluable production off Monaco's bench, contributing 15 points, four rebounds, and four steals in just over 17 minutes of action. The Spanish veteran's experience showed in crucial moments, as he made winning plays that don't always appear in the box score. His plus-10 rating demonstrated his positive impact whenever he stepped on the court, and his defensive activity with those four steals disrupted Valencia's offensive flow.
Daniel Theis was perfect from the field, hitting all four of his shot attempts to finish with 10 points. The German big man's efficiency and rim protection (one block) were vital in maintaining Monaco's interior presence. His 23 minutes of action provided crucial minutes in the frontcourt, allowing Monaco to maintain their physicality throughout the game.
Elie Okobo struggled with his shooting, managing just 2-of-10 from the field, but his six assists helped keep Monaco's offense flowing during critical stretches. His 24 minutes of playing time reflected his coach's trust in his playmaking abilities despite the shooting woes.
Despite the loss, Valencia showed tremendous character in fighting back from a 20-point deficit. Nathan Reuvers delivered an excellent all-around performance with 10 points and 10 rebounds, recording a double-double while shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from two-point range. The Hungarian center's efficiency and rebounding prowess kept Valencia in striking distance during their comeback attempt.
Darius Thompson provided steady production off the bench with 10 points and six assists. His plus-3 rating was among the best for Valencia, showing his positive impact in his 21 minutes of action. Thompson's ability to run the offense and create for others gave Valencia hope during their second-half surge.
Matthew Costello contributed six points and five rebounds while hitting 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. His floor spacing ability and versatility as a big man who can step out and shoot three-pointers created problems for Monaco's defense and was instrumental in Valencia's comeback bid.
However, some Valencia players struggled to find their rhythm. Omari Moore managed just two points in nearly 20 minutes, finishing with a team-worst minus-20 rating. Neal Sako had a particularly difficult night, going 0-for-8 from the field despite attempting numerous shots in the paint.
The game statistics reveal Monaco's control for most of the contest. While Valencia's 25-14 third quarter advantage showed their potential, Monaco's 30-15 second quarter demolition proved to be the difference maker. The home team's ability to build that substantial cushion gave them enough margin for error when Valencia made their run.
Mike James finished with nine points and eight assists, though his 2-of-13 shooting from the field represented an off night for Monaco's leading scorer. His ability to impact the game despite shooting struggles showcased his veteran savvy and all-around game. The fact that Monaco won comfortably despite James's shooting woes speaks to the team's depth and balance.
Jaron Blossomgame contributed eight points and seven rebounds, with four of those boards coming on the offensive glass. His work on the boards and ability to create second-chance opportunities helped Monaco maintain pressure throughout the game.
This victory improves Monaco's record and keeps them in the thick of the EuroLeague playoff race. Their ability to execute a strong game plan in the first half, then withstand Valencia's furious comeback attempt in the second half, demonstrates the maturity and experience this roster possesses. The contributions from multiple players showed the depth that will be crucial as the long season continues.
For Valencia, the loss extends their road struggles, but the second-half performance provides reasons for optimism. If they can play with the intensity and execution they showed in the third quarter for entire games, better results will follow. The emergence of players like Brancou Badio and the consistent play of Nathan Reuvers give Valencia building blocks moving forward.
The 90-84 final score accurately reflected a competitive game that was closer than the first-half score suggested it would be. Monaco's early dominance earned them the victory, but Valencia's resilience ensured the outcome remained in doubt until the final minutes.
| Rank | Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BRANCOU BADIO | VBC | 18 | 0 | 1 |
| 2 | ALPHA DIALLO | ASM | 16 | 5 | 1 |
| 3 | NIKOLA MIROTIC | ASM | 15 | 4 | 0 |
| 4 | MATTHEW STRAZEL | ASM | 14 | 3 | 3 |
| 5 | JOSEP PUERTO | VBC | 13 | 4 | 0 |
Real Madrid defeated Valencia Basket 96-79 in a commanding EuroLeague performance. Mario Hezonja led with 16 points and excellent efficiency, while Gabriel Deck added 14 points. Facundo Campazzo orchestrated the offense with nine assists. Jean Montero's 18 points paced Valencia, but insufficient team support sealed their fate at Movistar Arena.
Published on March 12, 2026 at 09:58 PM by driblio.net
AS Monaco defeated Olympiacos Piraeus 81-80 in a thrilling EuroLeague Round 31 clash at Salle Gaston Médecin. Matthew Strazel's two-pointer with four seconds remaining secured victory for Monaco after Olympiacos had erased an early deficit. Jaron Blossomgame shot perfectly (6-6) for Monaco while Nikola Milutinov recorded a double-double for the visitors.
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Valencia Basket defeated Zalgiris Kaunas 91-87 in a closely contested EuroLeague matchup at ROIG ARENA. Valencia built a 50-39 halftime lead behind a dominant first-half performance, then withstood a spirited second-half comeback from the Lithuanian visitors. Omari Moore led Valencia with 16 points, while Moses Wright paced Zalgiris with 20 points and nine rebounds in the losing effort.
Published on March 5, 2026 at 09:33 PM by driblio.net
