Barça 100-89 Monaco: Not done yet
Barça aren’t done yet. Backed by a roaring Palau crowd, the Catalans dominated Monaco 100–89 to take Game 3 and keep their EuroLeague hopes alive, now 2-1 down in the best-of-five series. Willy Hernangómez led the way with 19 points, proving the blaugranes still have plenty to say in this series. Game 4 tips off Friday at 8.45pm CEST, once again in Barcelona.
Tight first, blaugrana second
After dropping the first two games on the road, Peñarroya’s side came out sharp but composed. Monaco edged a tight first quarter 27–24, but the second was all Barça. Captain Abrines lit it up from deep, while the defence clamped down hard, Monaco going over five minutes without scoring as Barça stormed to a 17–0 run. By halftime, they were up 51–39 and flying.
Holding on hard
Mike James and Okobo sparked a Monaco rally early in the third, trimming the gap to six. Barça struggled offensively but Punter and Jabari Parker in particular kept up some of the earlier momentum, the latter's wild buzzer-beating triple ending the third at 74–66. That shot gave Barça just enough of a cushion heading into the crunch final period.
More on Friday
Barça knew this could be their last 10 minutes of EuroLeague action and played like it. Parra hit a three to start the fourth, but the game turned scrappy. With tempers flaring and the margin down to five (85–80), it was Punter and Willy who stepped up - free throws, a key steal, and a powerful Parker dunk (96–85) sent the Palau into a frenzy.
Even late missed free throws from Parker late didn’t matter as it all ended comfortably. A 100–89 win, five players in double digits, led by Hernangómez, and a clear message: Barça’s not done yet.
GAME STATS
Barça: 100
Monaco: 89
Barça: Satoransky (6), Punter (14), Anderson (10), Parker (16), Fall (4) - starting five - Brizuela (14), Hernangómez (19), Abrines (8), Keita (-), Parra (9), Villar (0) and Grujicic (-).
Monaco: James (20), Diallo (16), Okobo (19), Blossomgame (12), Theis (10) - starting five - Loyd (0), Cornelie (-), Jaiteh (7), Motiejunas (-), Tarpey (0), Brown (-) and Strazel (5).
Quarters: 24-27, 51-39, 74-66, 100-89.
Referees: Sasa Pukl, Carmelo Paternico and Saulius Racys.