AS Monaco delivered one in every of its most dominant performances of the season on Wednesday night time, overpowering Anadolu Efes 102-66 at Salle Gaston Médecin in a consequence that instantly reshaped the Turkish membership’s sideline.
Efes introduced on Thursday that it had parted methods with head coach Igor Kokoskov, a choice that adopted the third-worst loss within the group’s EuroLeague historical past.
Monaco managed every part of the matchup, constructing its benefit behind environment friendly inside scoring, aggressive protection, and a 31-of-33 free-throw exhibiting that saved the hosts in command from begin to end.
The house facet opened with a 25-22 first quarter and repeated the 25-point mark within the second, taking a 50-43 edge into halftime.
Monaco widened the hole within the third with a 20-10 body, then closed the night time with a dominant 32-13 end to safe a 36-point margin.
Daniel Theis led Monaco with 17 factors on 7-for-7 capturing contained in the arc, offering stability within the paint and giving his workforce a dependable halfcourt possibility.
Alpha Diallo added 13 factors and 4 rebounds, whereas Kemba Hayes contributed 12 in a balanced exhibiting that featured six double-digit scorers.
Mike James posted seven factors and 6 assists in 24 minutes, serving to Monaco generate 28 assists towards simply 9 turnovers.
Elie Okobo and Yoan Makoundou every scored 9, with Makoundou changing all 5 of his free throws to cap his transient however impactful efficiency.
Jaron Blossomgame and Nikola Mirotic chipped in with six and 9 factors respectively, increasing the margin as Monaco maintained strain throughout all rotations.
Efes struggled to seek out rhythm all through the night time, ending with 23 turnovers and permitting 15 steals that repeatedly become transition factors for the hosts.
Isaia Cordinier led the visiting facet with 16 factors, supported by Jordan Loyd’s 13, however Efes couldn’t overcome rebounding disadvantages and inconsistent defensive possessions.
The guests have been outrebounded 33-21 and held to 61.5 p.c capturing on two-point makes an attempt as a result of restricted alternatives inside, as Monaco’s compact rotations saved dribble penetration to a minimal.
Efes shot 9-for-24 from three however didn’t string collectively sustained runs after halftime.
The loss dropped Efes to 5-8, tied for 14th within the EuroLeague standings, prompting the membership’s swift teaching change.
Radovan Trifunovic, who labored alongside Kokoskov throughout Slovenia’s 2017 EuroBasket championship run, will function interim head coach whereas the group searches for a everlasting substitute.
Monaco improved to 8-5 with the win and prolonged its surge below Vassilis Spanoulis, who has used his deep rotation and regular defensive schemes to stabilize the group by November.
Monaco hosts Paris Basketball subsequent Thursday, whereas Efes returns house to face Actual Madrid in Spherical 14.
