On Tuesday evening, AS Monaco Basketball experienced a significant setback in the Betclic Élite playoff semifinals, losing to ASVEL at the LDLC Arena with a score of 94-74. The defeat places Monaco at a disadvantage in the best-of-five series, as they now find themselves needing to win the upcoming Game 2 to keep their championship hopes alive.

The Roca Team, coached by Vassilis Spanoulis, entered the semifinals following a victory against Le Mans just 48 hours prior.

However, they were unable to replicate their performance against an ASVEL squad also competing in the Euroleague, underscoring the high stakes of this playoff matchup.

The winner of this series will secure a spot in the French championship final.

Monaco struggled with offensive efficiency throughout the game, particularly in the opening quarter, where they managed to score only 13 points in the first 12 minutes.

This slow start allowed ASVEL to establish an early lead, leveraging their intensity and scoring ability, notably from players like Sako and Maledon.

By the end of the third quarter, Monaco faced a 10-point deficit, trailing 68-58. Despite a brief resurgence sparked by a three-pointer from Matthew Strazel, ASVEL maintained control and ultimately extended their lead to 20 points by the final buzzer.

Following the game, Spanoulis expressed disappointment in his team's performance, stating that they lacked energy and intensity, and highlighted the need for a more dedicated approach moving forward as they prepare for the crucial second game of the series.

With Game 2 scheduled for Thursday evening at the same venue, the Roca Team is under pressure to avoid falling into a two-game hole before returning to Monaco for Game 3 on Sunday.

A loss in the upcoming match would significantly jeopardize their chances of advancing in the playoffs.