By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
2022: In its debut season in EuroLeague, AS Monaco makes the playoffs.
2023: In its second season in EuroLeague, AS Monaco takes it to the next level and advances to the EuroLeague Final Four.
Mike James made the start with 21 points (all of them in the first half) and Jordan Loyd took over with 21 points of his own (eight in the last five minutes) and Monaco beat Maccabi 97 – 86 in Game 5 of the playoffs to win the series 3-2 and become the third team that advances to the Final Four.
This is the first time since 1997 and ASVEL Villeurbanne that France will be represented in the Final Four. Monaco will face Olympiacos Piraeus in the first of the two semifinals.
“I’m speechless right now, man,” Loyd said. “Nobody had this team in the Final Four at the start of the season, nobody had this team winning this series and I’m just happy that this club can get some respect, some much well-deserved respect. Man, I’m emotional. This is unbelievable, so yeah, I’m excited, happy.”
Wade Baldwin had a superb effort for Maccabi with 27 points, seven assists and six rebounds. The Yellows were up 76 – 79 with five minutes to play but it was all Monaco from that point onward.
To be specific, it was all Loyd. The American guard ignited with eight straight points, and made the 86 – 79. Baldwin kept Maccabi in the game with a triple for the 90 – 85 with 2:06 remaining but then four consecutive points by Elie Okobo secured Monaco’s win.
Okobo took over some playmaking duties after James hurt his ankle and exited the game temporarily in the end of the third period. He finished with six assists to go with five rebounds and nine points. Donta Hall contributed 10 points plus six rebounds and Chima Moneke had 10 points.
“We were there, we fought hard,” Maccabi coach Oded Kattash said. “We played well. For both teams, in the first half it was a really high tempo game. In the second half, it was more physical. At the end of the day, some experience, some [things] – I think 8, 10 straight free throws, they got the calls. Congrats, Monaco. I wish them good luck.”
Time for celebration
Monaco coach Sasa Obradovic couldn’t be but ecstatic after leading his team to the Final Four which will mark also his own first appearance in the tournament.
“I don’t have the strength to say anything right now,” Obradovic said. “I’m happy for the team – great players make great coaches. Hopefully this night will stay forever in our hearts. We grow up thanks to this, we get better players and a better coach in the end. I’m happy for all of this program, happy from the beginning what we went through and definitely we deserved to be in the top four teams. From the beginning, we believed in this.
(His team showing character): “I don’t care, let me enjoy myself now!”