Monaco wins historic French League crown

AS Monaco has made history, lifting its first-ever French League title by sweeping Metropolitans 92 with an 85-92 win in Game 3 of their best-of-five series. Monaco has won its premier French League crown in style, not only with a clean sweep by winning all eight of its playoff games, but also at none other than Philippe-Chatrier court at the famous Roland-Garros tennis complex. Jordan Loyd and Jaron Blossomgame netted 22 points apiece, and Elie Okobo scored 16 in a victory, while Victor Wembanyama had 22 for the hosts.

This win marks Monaco finally crossing the final hurdle, having previously lost the French League final series in five games in both in 2019 and 2022. Coach Sasa Obradovic men also completed the most successful season in club history, having also reached the 2023 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four, and have won the 2023 French Cup.

Metropolitans was on fire early and led 32-16 after just 8 minutes of play. But Monaco scored the last 7 points of the first quarter behind Yoan Makoundou, and cut within 34-29 early in the second. Teams traded blows the rest of the quarter and Metropolitans took 53-44 into the break. The hosts had another double-digit lead midway through the third, but Monaco replied with back-to-back threes from Okobo and Blossomgame. Metropolitans remained in front and Wembanyama's dunk made it 75-67 with 8 minutes to go, but Okobo and Blossomgame combined to score 15 points to give Monaco its first lead of the night, 81-82 with 3:37 to go. A triple from Loyd entering the final minute made it 85-88, and Loyd knocked down another one with under 30 seconds left, sealing a historic win for Monaco.