D’Tigers forward Chima Moneke delivered a stellar performance, scoring a game-high 29 points and recording a double-double to lead Baskonia to a commanding 94-81 victory over Paris Basketball in their final Turkish Airlines EuroLeague game of 2024.
Baskonia started strong, edging out Paris 28-26 in the first quarter. However, they faltered in the second, surrendering 31 points while scoring only 13, leaving them facing a daunting 16-point deficit at halftime.
Undeterred, Moneke spearheaded Baskonia’s resurgence. They outscored Paris 23-15 in the third quarter and then exploded in the fourth, dominating 30-9 to erase the deficit and claim a convincing 13-point victory.
Moneke’s impact extended beyond his scoring. He showcased his efficiency, converting 6-of-9 two-pointers and 4-of-8 three-pointers. Markus Howard contributed 28 points for Baskonia, while Nikolaos Rogkavopoulos added 10 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
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An ecstatic Moneke declared this his finest performance of the season, acknowledging the personal challenges he has faced. “This is my favorite game that I have ever been a part of in my life. It has been a tough season,” Moneke shared with EuroLeague TV. “I have been dealing with a lot personally on the court. We have been going through a lot.”
He further revealed that the presence of his brother, who was in attendance, provided extra motivation. “It was my birthday three days ago. I’m never with my family during these breaks and one of my brothers is able to be here; playing against my best friend in the absolute world,” Moneke explained.
“He’s going to win MVP still, but everything just happened. We’re down 16, down 18, whatever it was [19, actually]. And we just keep believing in ourselves.”
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