The Real Madrid chapter unfurled behind a decisive performance by Mario Hezonja as the Spanish powerhouse pressed Monaco with a late-night surge. The clash, a pivotal entry on the EuroLeague regular-season calendar, saw the visitors push through a stubborn first half and set the tone for a tightly contested finish that kept the outcome in the balance until the final seconds. Hezonja’s presence on the floor signaled Madrid’s intent to capitalize on every opportunity, turning defense into offense and keeping Monaco’s response reactive rather than proactive as the minutes ticked away.
From the opening tip, the game demanded intensity. Both teams matched one another in focus and physicality, but Madrid found a rhythm that allowed them to withstand Monaco’s early momentum. The hosts answered with tenacity, enduring a run of one-on-one challenges that tested their discipline. A 0-5 stretch briefly unsettled the visitors, yet Madrid answered with composure, maintaining contact on the scoreboard while the crowd waited for a breakthrough that would swing momentum in their favor.
Chus Mateo’s squad approached the game with a clear plan: execute efficiently, keep turnovers low, and exploit possessions that rewarded precision. When Okobo injected energy with a sharp burst early in the second quarter, Madrid’s response was immediate; his scoring spurt ignited a stretch where the team reclaimed a narrow lead and stretched it to a six- or seven-point cushion before the break. The end of the first half left the stands buzzing with anticipation as Madrid clung to a slight edge.
In the ensuing minutes, Yabusel and the Monaco side became a test of wills. Llull’s off-ball movement and accuracy stretched the defense, while Hezonja’s aggression around the arc created spacing that allowed Madrid to test every layer of Monaco’s defense. The Spaniards entered halftime with a score that reflected a game of inches—tightly contested, with every possession charged with consequence and every rebound tipping the balance toward one side or the other.
On the sidelines, the moment of drama arrived as Donta Hall rose for a dramatic rejection that set the tone for a third-quarter rally. The exchange electrified the arena and the Madrid bench alike, underscoring the high stakes of a fixture that could tilt the standings in the middle of the season. The reaction that followed came not just from Madrid’s scorers but from their defense and decision-making as well, creating a window of opportunity to swing the momentum firmly in their direction.
Madrid’s plan took another leap after halftime as the squad reconfigured their lineup with poise. Hezonja, back on track with a steady rhythm, delivered a 12-1 stretch that lifted the team from a precarious position and gave them a robust boost. The duo of Tavares and Poirier dominated the paint with their length, providing a counterbalance to Monaco’s physical front line. The home club’s interior presence steadied the attack and forced Madrid to rely on multiple scorers to sustain the push.
Despite facing adversity, the Real Madrid group remained resolute. Llull and Hezonja combined to keep the offence flowing, while Deck and Moses supplied timely baskets that complemented the interior scoring. The fourth quarter arrived with Madrid clinging to a slight lead that could not be broken with one standout sequence but required consistent execution on every possession. The visitors faced a dwindling window to strike back, and they tried to maximize opportunities through post-ups and quick ball movement to unlock the defense around the arc.
The closing moments crystallized an edge for Madrid as they clung to the advantage and extended their spread with timely scoring that kept Monaco on the defensive. James, who had driven Monaco’s offense earlier, found his rhythm turning into a showcase of distribution and scoring that kept the game competitive but not enough to swing the result. As the clock dissolved, Madrid’s closing pace matched the urgency of the moment, resisting any late surge from the home team while preserving their lead through precise execution and smart shot selection.
The final sequence underscored Madrid’s discipline: the defense held firm, and the offense remained decisive. Hezonja’s late-third and early-fourth contributions illustrated his role as a catalyst who could unlock scoring bursts when the game demanded a response. The team’s effort across the board—Deck’s steady two-way play, Llull’s leadership, and Tavares’ presence inside—consolidated the win and added a notable victory to Madrid’s EuroLeague campaign.
Data sheet:
91 – Monaco (20+26+25+20): Brown (7), Loyd (4), Blossomgame (6), Montiejunas (7), James (23) -starter-five-, Moneke (4), Diallo (15), Okobo (16), Hall (6) , Ouattara (3).
95 – Real Madrid (24+26+20+25): Williams-Goss (3), Hezonja (30), Deck (13), Cornelie (2), Tavares (3) -top five-, Yabusele (9), Poirier (2), Sergio Rodríguez (2), Causeur (-), Llull (10), Hanga (7), Moses (14).
referees: Sasa Pukl (ESL), Olegs Latisevs (LET) and Gytis Vilius (LIT). They eliminated Poirier by five fouls.
events: The match of the twenty-third day of the first stage of the Euroleague was played at Salle Gaston Medecin in Monaco.