Monaco’s defense sets the tone: big road win as Barca never gets close

FC Barcelona-AS Monaco 74-90: top scorers Dario Brizuela 25 and Mike James 19; Monaco also gets Kevarrius Hayes 15 and Nikola Mirotic 13.
Monaco leads 22-13 after the first quarter and stretches it to 47-30 by halftime.
Xavi Pascual is ejected in the third, but the deficit never returns to single digits.

In a direct clash between rivals, AS Monaco powered past FC Barcelona 90-74 with a strong team effort built on elite defense. The visitors dictated terms early, taking a 22-13 first-quarter lead, then extending the gap in the second as Mirotic scored three straight baskets and a 13-2 run — featuring five different scorers — pushed it to 47-30 at the break.

Barcelona tried to respond after halftime, but the game never truly reopened. In the third quarter, Barca coach Xavi Pascual was ejected after two technical fouls, and Monaco kept its composure, refusing to let the lead drop back to single digits at any point.

Mike James led Monaco with 19 points, while Kevarrius Hayes stood out in a collective performance with 15 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Mirotic added 13 and Elie Okobo scored 12. For Barca, Dario Brizuela had 25 and Miles Norris hit four threes in his 14. The teams are now tied at 12-7, one win off first place.