Loyd, Okobo stepped up for Monaco in James's absence

AS Monaco arrives to its Round 28 showdown at Buesa Arena without superstar guard Mike James, but it ended up playing arguably one of its best games of the season, downing Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz 93-102 to go up to 18-10 in the standings.
Without James, who leads the team in scoring (16.8 ppg.) and assists (4.7 ppg.), its most experienced guards had to step up big. Jordan Loyd and Elie Okobo had really solid performances, and they stepped up in the final three minutes. Howard nailed a three-pointer off a steal to give Baskonia a 91-87 lead. Okobo and Loyd each made free throws to tie the game again, 91-91. Okobo took over with a wild three-point play and a driving layup, Loyd followed that with a five-meter jumper and Okobo's fastbreak dunk sealed the outcome.
Monaco finished the game with a 2-15 run, in which Loyd and Okobo combined for 13 points. Okobo finished the game with 18 points on 7-of-11 two-point shots and 4-of-5 free throws, 4 assists, 5 fouls drawn and a PIR of 17. Loyd had 19 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and a PIR of 18. They knew they had to carry their team without James, and they delivered in the final three minutes to give Monaco an important road victory in one of the toughest arenas in the EuroLeague, as Baskonia was now 11-2 at home this season coming into Round 28.