Monaco Secures Victory Over Maccabi Despite Missing Key Players

Monaco triumphed over Maccabi with a key victory in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague despite missing the contributions of injured stars Furkan Korkmaz and Nick Calathes. The match, played at Monaco’s home ground, resulted in a 2-0 start to the season for the hosts, largely due to the performances of Mike James and Elie Okobo. Both players scored 17 points, with Okobo achieving all his points in the second half.

Following the game, Mike James remarked, “It’s a great way for us to start the season and we hope [Korkmaz and Calathes] get healthy soon.” The team’s ability to maintain its depth was on display as the center duo of Donatas Motiejunas and Giorgos Papagiannis also scored in double digits, contributing 11 and 10 points respectively.

On the other side, Jordan Loyd led the efforts for Maccabi with 16 points, while Jaylen Hoard and Jasiel Rivero each added 13 points. Initially, the game was closely contested, with Maccabi leading at halftime by a narrow margin of 46-41. The game’s dynamics shifted in the third quarter as Monaco launched a formidable 15-2 run, granting them a six-point advantage. By the end of the third period, the score stood at 65-60 in favor of Monaco.

As the final quarter unfolded, Maccabi remained trailing by three points with four minutes left in the game. Nevertheless, Monaco managed to maintain their advantage and secure the win. The victory underscores Monaco’s resilience and depth, crucial aspects as they navigate the challenges of the EuroLeague season without some key players.