Mike James returns from suspension, but Monaco lose at Limoges / News - Basketnews.com

Monaco saw Mike James come back to action after a three-week-long suspension, but the EuroLeague side suffered its fifth domestic loss.

Credit: AFP-Scanpix Credit AFP-Scanpix

Limoges CSP (12-12) brought down AS Monaco (20-5) for the second time this season in Betclic ELITE. In a very warm atmosphere, Massimo Cancellieri's men won 83-76 (18-21, 23-21, 14-19, 28-15).

Mike James

MIN:31.39PTS:16.78 (50.57%)REB:3.52As:4.7ST:1.11BL:0.04TO:2.19GM:27ProfileEuroLeague2022/2023

After winning in Monaco on November 20, Limoges prevailed again at Beaublanc for the 25th Round of the French league.

The Roca Team could count on the return of Mike James but had to do without Jordan Loyd, who was left in the Principality to rest, and John Brown, who has been injured in the ankle.

Following an eight-game internal suspension, Mike James returned to action, scoring seven points and dishing out three assists in 20 minutes. Desi Rodriguez had 22 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists for Limoges, while Nicolas Lang added 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Elie Okobo had 19 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and Jaron Blossomgame 14 points for AS Monaco.

Having been away from the courts for reportedly violating the club's internal regulation after the game vs. Panathinaikos on March 8, the former EuroLeague top scorer got on board with his teammates on Saturday afternoon, but couldn't do much at Limoges.

AS Monaco announced last Thursday the reinstatement of the 32-year-old guard in its workforce "after having resolved internally the problems which led to his suspension."

James missed a total of seven games in the process, including three EuroLeague outings, all won by his team. However, following Monaco's victory over Valencia (90-79) last Friday, Sasa Obradovic explained the reasons for the absence of the Oregon-born player and laid down the conditions for his return.

"It was difficult to get him to play Friday. He only had one team practice. We found a new chemistry without him.

Mike must understand that he is part of a collective, he must return in the best condition and share the ball. We talked, we need his skills, especially with the sequence of matches," said Sasa Obradovic.

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