Betclic ELITE Finals: Monaco’s Dominance Forces Game 5
AS Monaco takes control in game 4, force deciding game 5 Photo Credit: Sébastien Grasset
Monaco left no room for doubt in Game 4 of the Betclic ELITE Finals. Played on June 21, 2026, the Monegasques dominated Paris Basketball from start to finish, winning 96-84 and forcing a Game 5. The performance was comprehensive across all sectors of the game, with both the backcourt and frontcourt firing on all cylinders.
Blossomgame and Hayes Dismantle Paris’s Defense
Jaron Blossomgame was one of Monaco’s standout performers, finishing with 16 points and 4 rebounds in 25 minutes and 54 seconds. His impact was felt early and often, capped by a buzzer-beater at the end of the first half that extended Monaco’s lead to 54-33 — a statement moment that effectively buried Paris’s hopes of a competitive second half. Alongside Matthew Strazel, Blossomgame formed a dangerous duo that Paris’s defense simply had no answer for.
Kevarrius Hayes added 10 points and 2 rebounds in just 17 minutes and 24 seconds, his aggressive presence in the paint emblematic of Monaco’s overall approach: physical, disciplined, and purposeful. The Monegasques attempted 16 free throws in the first quarter alone, making 14 of them — a clear sign of how the team attacked the basket with intent from the opening tip.
By the 28th minute, Monaco had already scored 77 points — matching the entire total Paris had allowed in Game 3. Matthew Strazel then punctuated a dominant third quarter with a 3-points shot to push the lead to 28 points (83-55), leaving little drama for the final period.
Paris’s Offensive Effort Falls Short
On the Paris side, Jared Rhoden led the scoring with 14 points and 3 rebounds in 19 minutes and 48 seconds, while Lamar Stevens contributed 9 points and 2 rebounds in 19 minutes and 24 seconds. Despite individual efforts, the Parisians could not compensate for a collective defensive collapse that undermined any chance of a competitive contest.
Paris’s tactical adjustments also failed to produce results. Head coach Julius Thomas’s decision to start Nadir Hifi and Enzo Shahrvin while leaving Momo Faye and Justin Robinson on the bench did not unlock any new dynamic. The defense, already a concern heading into this game, completely collapsed from the opening minutes, and Monaco exploited every gap with precision.
With Game 5 set to take place in two days, the series remains alive, but momentum firmly belongs to Monaco. Even NBA champion Jaylen Brown, watching courtside, witnessed a performance that underlined just how dominant the Monegasques can be when firing on all cylinders. Paris will need a dramatic turnaround to claim the title.
Comments