Monaco hosted Hapoel Tel Aviv on the final day of the EuroLeague in a high-stakes duel. A victory would allow the Monégasques to secure a direct ticket to the playoffs, while the Israelis were playing for home-court advantage. In a stadium fully behind them, the players from the Principality answered the call with authority.
Monaco controlled the game from start to finish to secure a comprehensive victory (105-85). Superior in intensity and shooting, the Monégasques quickly opened up a gap before cruising through the second half. Carried by a solid team effort and an exceptional Jaron Blossomgame, they left no room for suspense.
Unlike the first leg, Monaco welcomed Hapoel Tel Aviv early in the evening for the final day of the EuroLeague, with a clear objective in mind: secure a direct qualification for the playoffs and avoid any last-minute calculations. The stakes were equally high for the visitors, who could still hope to earn home-court advantage with a win. In a serious and focused atmosphere, the Monégasques perfectly approached this decisive encounter.
From the start of the match, the Roca Team showed their intentions. With the returns of Mike James and Daniel Theis, the team imposed a high tempo on both ends of the court. The ball circulated smoothly, the plays were executed with precision, and the defense was aggressive and disciplined. Quickly, the players from the Principality took control of the game, putting Hapoel Tel Aviv under pressure and forcing them to chase the score.
Despite this dominance, Chris Jones tried to keep his team afloat at the end of the first quarter. Through his aggressiveness and playmaking ability, he allowed his team to stay within a reasonable distance. But Mike James, in his role as leader, quickly took charge again by punishing the opposing defense to restore a ten-point lead to Monaco at the first quarter buzzer.
The second quarter confirmed the trend observed at the start of the game. Monaco continued to impose their tempo, with a notable series by Mike James, Daniel Theis, and Juan Begarin, who scored three consecutive baskets. On the other side, the Israelis tried to respond with their own strengths: Elijah Bryant earned valuable points from the free-throw line, while Chris Jones increased his tally. But the gap remained stable, then gradually widened.
The Monégasques managed their strong periods with maturity. The lead increased to 13 points, notably thanks to a hot streak from Matthew Strazel, who scored five consecutive points that seriously hurt the opposing defense. Serious and focused, the Monaco players returned to the locker room with a comfortable lead of 58 to 41, illustrating their overall control of the first half.
Jaron Blossomgame sets a record
After the break, Hapoel Tel Aviv needed to react to rekindle the suspense. But the Roca Team had other plans. The Monégasques maintained their high intensity, refusing to let up. Mike James (20 points and seven assists) continued to lead the game with precision, while Alpha Diallo and Matthew Strazel contributed their energy to widen the gap further.
At this point, the game definitively turned. Monaco delivered a sharp 12-2 run, extending their lead to over 20 points, then up to 27 points. Midway through the third quarter, the scoreboard read 70 to 43, symbolizing total domination. Chris Jones attempted a comeback with a few long-range shots, but the gap was already too large to overcome.
The fourth quarter continued in the same vein as the rest of the match. The players from the Principality perfectly controlled the tempo, managing their lead without wavering. The Israelis continued to fight, particularly to minimize the score gap, but Monaco’s superiority was evident.
The end of the match was also marked by the outstanding performance of Jaron Blossomgame. In great form throughout the evening, he shone offensively by scoring 30 points, setting a career-high record. A high-level performance that perfectly illustrates Monaco’s collective dominance.
With this convincing victory, (105-85), AS Monaco Basket officially secured their spot (8th) in the playoffs and can now aim high for the rest of the competition.
