The Roca Team secured a 108-95 victory in a high-intensity contest Sunday marked by late-game tensions and a shortened rotation.
In a high-intensity Betclic Élite clash, AS Monaco Basket reigned victorious. The LNB Pro A leaders took on Dijon at home in a heated match that proved to be highly entertaining.
With a reduced rotation of pros, once again, the Roca Team had something to prove as they looked to start the week on a positive note ahead of two pivotal EuroLeague matchups at home.
AS Monaco Basket found comfort and rhythm throughout the first half, building an early lead, but the pressure of Dijon was constantly felt. With a high level of energy across the game, tensions steadily rose across the court from early on.
Although Monaco extended their lead to over 20 points in the third quarter, Dijon proved that they were not going down without a fight, applying pressure to cut the deficit back to single digits in the final quarter. Amidst the physical play, in the closing minutes, an altercation ensued between Monaco’s Juhann Begarin and Dijon’s Quentin Losser. The chaos mirrored the tensions that had been building throughout the game. Following ejections and technical fouls delivered to each team, the game resumed with a new pace.
Unlike the earlier tempo — quick, intense, and at times uncontrolled — following the altercation, the teams appeared to move with more intention and purpose. The game resulted in a 108-95 victory for Monaco, further solidifying their leadership position in the LNB Pro A League.
Alpha Diallo led all scorers with 29 points, while Elie Okobo added 23 points and 9 assists in a strong all-around performance.
Following the game, Monaco assistant coach Sergiy Gladyr, who is currently overseeing domestic fixtures, addressed the on-court altercation, saying, “As a Monaco team, this is not the image we want to show,” while also issuing an apology to fans and viewers on behalf of the organisation and emphasising that it must not happen again.
With the limited roster available, any additional injuries or suspensions would be detrimental to an already vulnerable Roca Team. With one of the most crucial weeks of the season ahead, the priority now shifts to recovery, both physically and mentally. Whether currently on court or actively healing, the heavy minutes can quickly take a toll, especially when the team is expected to perform at full strength.
At the same time, there is a noticeable upside to this shortened rotation. With players spending extended minutes on the court, the group is forced to adapt quickly as a team and build cohesion as a unit. Existing chemistry has played a key role, with players like Elie Okobo and Matthew Strazel having shared the floor prior to Monaco, while Jaron Blossomgame and Alpha Diallo also bring years of familiarity. That continuity is difficult to replicate and is beginning to show in Monaco’s collective performances, despite the limited rotation.
Moving into the double-header EuroLeague games this week, the Roca Team will aim to carry this momentum forward, using their home-court advantage, intensity, and cohesion in a positive direction as they push for a playoff spot.
View this post on Instagram
Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.
Photo source: AS Monaco Basketball