Two very much in-form teams go head to head as third-place Monaco (21-11) welcomes 11th-place Zalgiris (14-18) for a key meeting in their respective postseason ambitions.
Game Notes: Monaco vs. Zalgiris
Victory is the only option for both teams, and Zalgiris will be confident after winning three in a row, partly thanks to Edmond Sumner stepping up in the backcourt to support the always productive Keenan Evans. Similarly, Monaco has benefitted from perennial leader Mike James receiving back up from Elie Okobo, who scored 16 points in last week's French derby win over ASVEL. James, unsurprisingly, was the key performer when Monaco took a 79-83 victory at Kaunas in December, netting 25 points. In the paint, Kaunas native Donatas Moteijunas will look to win the physical battle for Monaco against compatriot Laurynas Birutis.
- In their first-ever meeting, in December 2021 in Kaunas, Monaco rallied to beat Zalgiris in overtime 98-107. Monaco guard Mike James dished a career-high 14 assists in that game.
- Monaco pulled out an 84-82 home win over Zalgiris in December 2022 behind 22 points from Elie Okobo, who earned MVP of the Round honors with a PIR of 35. Okobo made a career-high 10 free throws, dished 9 assists and grabbed a career-best 4 steals.
- Monaco center Donatas Motijeunas grew up with Zalgiris and made his EuroLeague debut with the club during the 2007-08 season.
- Motiejunas has been a teammate of Zalgiris's Tomas Dimsa on the Lithuanian national team at the 2023 World Cup. He has also been a teammate on the Lithuanian national team of Edgaras Ulanovas and Arnas Butkevicius.
- Mike James was a teammate of Zalgiris guard Lukas Lekavicius at Panathinaikos Athens during the 2017-18 season.
- Zalgiris center Kevarrius Hayes and Monaco guard Matthew Strazel were teammates at LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne in the 2020-21 season.
- Zalgiris big man Rolands Smits had a career-high 11 rebounds in Round 13's home loss against Monaco.
- Monaco big man John Brown posted his career high with 11 rebounds playing for UNICS Kazan against Zalgiris in February 2022.