Zalgiris Kaunas Edges AS Monaco 89-84 in EuroLeague Season Opener

Zalgiris Claims Hard-Fought Victory in Monaco

In an exciting EuroLeague season opener, Zalgiris Kaunas secured an 89-84 road victory over AS Monaco on October 1st, 2025, in front of 4,221 spectators. The Lithuanian powerhouse demonstrated poise and resilience throughout the contest, building an early lead and maintaining composure down the stretch to start their campaign on a winning note.

The game began with Zalgiris Kaunas asserting their authority in the opening quarter, outscoring the hosts 27-20. The visitors' hot start set the tone for what would become a competitive battle between two ambitious European basketball clubs. Despite AS Monaco's efforts to rally on their home floor, Zalgiris' early momentum proved decisive in determining the final outcome.

First Half Dominance by Zalgiris

The first quarter belonged entirely to the Lithuanian side, who executed their offensive schemes with precision while stifling Monaco's attempts to establish rhythm. The seven-point advantage gained in those opening ten minutes would prove crucial as the game progressed. Zalgiris demonstrated excellent ball movement and defensive intensity, forcing Monaco into difficult shots while capitalizing on their own opportunities.

In the second quarter, AS Monaco showed signs of life, but Zalgiris maintained their edge. The visitors outscored Monaco 18-15 in the period, extending their halftime lead to 45-35. The ten-point cushion heading into the locker room provided Zalgiris with valuable breathing room and confidence as they prepared for Monaco's inevitable second-half surge.

Monaco's Second-Half Push Falls Short

The third quarter witnessed AS Monaco beginning their comeback attempt, but Zalgiris Kaunas responded with their best offensive quarter of the night. The Lithuanian club poured in 25 points while allowing 22, maintaining a six-point advantage entering the final period. Monaco's defense showed improvement, but Zalgiris' offensive execution remained sharp enough to keep the hosts at bay.

The fourth quarter became a tense affair with both teams trading baskets. Monaco managed to match Zalgiris point-for-point with both teams scoring 22 in the final period, but the deficit proved too large to overcome. Despite the home crowd's encouragement and several promising possessions, Monaco could not complete the comeback, ultimately falling short by five points.

Mike James Leads Monaco's Effort

Mike James delivered an outstanding performance for AS Monaco, leading all scorers with 24 points while adding 5 assists and 3 rebounds in nearly 30 minutes of action. The American guard displayed his characteristic scoring prowess, converting 10 of 19 field goal attempts, including an efficient 8-of-12 from inside the arc. His efficiency rating of 21 highlighted his overall contribution, though his minus-14 plus-minus reflected the team's struggles when he was on the floor.

Daniel Theis provided excellent support with 17 points and 6 rebounds, shooting an impressive 7-of-9 from the field. The German center's presence in the paint gave Monaco a reliable scoring option, and his 4 offensive rebounds created additional opportunities. Nikola Mirotic contributed 16 points and 6 rebounds with his typical efficiency, converting 6 of 8 shots while drawing 5 fouls, demonstrating his veteran savvy throughout the contest.

Alpha Diallo added 10 points and 5 rebounds, providing energy and athleticism in his 27 minutes. However, Monaco struggled with turnovers and could not generate enough defensive stops in crucial moments to complete their comeback attempt.

Wright's Perfection Powers Zalgiris

The story of the game for Zalgiris Kaunas was the remarkable performance by Moses Wright off the bench. The American forward delivered an absolutely perfect offensive showing, converting all 8 of his field goal attempts for 21 points while adding 6 rebounds. Wright's flawless shooting included both long-range accuracy and interior finishing, as he made his lone three-point attempt and went 7-for-7 on two-pointers. His efficiency rating of 28 was the game's highest, and his plus-7 rating demonstrated his significant impact during his 23 minutes of action.

Nigel Williams-Goss contributed 14 points for the visitors, though he focused more on facilitating than scoring in this particular contest. Maodo Lo provided valuable bench production with 11 points, while Laurynas Birutis added 10 points on efficient 5-of-8 shooting in limited minutes.

Sylvain Francisco orchestrated the offense brilliantly with 9 assists to go along with 9 points, showcasing his playmaking abilities throughout his 28 minutes. His plus-15 rating was the game's best, indicating how effective Zalgiris was when he controlled the tempo. Azuolas Tubelis chipped in with 9 points off the bench, providing additional scoring punch when needed.

Defensive Battle and Key Statistics

The game featured solid defensive efforts from both sides, with neither team shooting particularly well from beyond the arc. Zalgiris Kaunas demonstrated better shot selection overall, which proved crucial in securing the victory. The visitors' bench outscored Monaco's reserves significantly, with Moses Wright's perfect performance leading a group that provided consistent production.

Turnovers played a factor as well, with both teams struggling to maintain possession at times. Monaco's 11 turnovers compared to Zalgiris' 8 reflected the slight edge in ball security that helped the Lithuanian side maintain their advantage. The rebounding battle was relatively even, though Zalgiris managed to create more second-chance opportunities with their offensive rebounds.

Zalgiris showcased their depth advantage, with multiple players contributing meaningful minutes and production. Edgaras Ulanovas played nearly the entire game, providing veteran leadership and 5 assists despite scoring just 2 points. His plus-1 rating and steady presence helped stabilize the team during Monaco's comeback attempts.

Looking Ahead

This opening round victory represents an ideal start for Zalgiris Kaunas as they embark on another EuroLeague campaign. Winning on the road against a quality opponent like AS Monaco demonstrates their potential to compete at the highest level. The balanced scoring and exceptional bench performance suggest that head coach has multiple weapons at his disposal throughout the long season ahead.

For Monaco, despite the disappointing result, there were positive signs. Mike James proved once again that he can carry the offensive load, while Daniel Theis and Nikola Mirotic showed they can provide complementary scoring. However, the team will need to find more consistency and reduce turnovers if they hope to challenge for a playoff position.

The game was officiated by Emin Mogulkoc, Rain Peerandi, and Igor Dragojevic, who maintained control throughout the competitive contest. As both teams move forward in the EuroLeague season, this opening round matchup provided fans with an entertaining display of high-level European basketball and set the stage for what promises to be another thrilling campaign.