EuroLeague Leading Scorer Mike James Out for 2-3 Weeks Following Monaco Victory

AS Monaco point guard Mike James will be sidelined for two to three weeks due to an injury sustained during his team's 81-80 victory over Olympiacos Piraeus on March 12, 2026. The American playmaker, who serves as the team captain for the LNB Pro A club, is expected to miss several key EuroLeague fixtures during his recovery period. The injury occurred just seconds after James left the court in the final stages of the Round 31 matchup at the Salle Gaston Medecin. Medical evaluations confirmed the timeline for his return, which significantly impacts Monaco's backcourt rotation as the regular season nears its conclusion. AS Monaco Basket was founded in 1928 as part of a multi-sport club established four years earlier. The team has become a consistent contender in the EuroLeague, reaching the Final Four in 2023. Mike James joined the club in 2021 and became the EuroLeague's all-time leading scorer during the 2023-2024 season. Olympiacos Piraeus, founded in 1925, remains one of the most successful Greek clubs with multiple European titles.

The victory over Olympiacos was secured with a narrow one-point margin, as Monaco improved its standing in the continental competition. Mike James led the French side with a Performance Index Rating of 22 before his departure from the game. Despite a strong performance from Nikola Milutinov, who recorded a 30 PIR for the Greek visitors, Olympiacos suffered what local media described as an unexpected defeat in the Principality. The result shifted the EuroLeague standings, placing additional pressure on the Piraeus-based team in the race for playoff positioning. EuroLeague Round 31: 0:0

In other Round 31 action, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens secured a victory that coincided with the return of center Mathias Lessort to the lineup. The French international, a two-time All-EuroLeague First Team selection, provided a significant boost to the Greek side after a period of absence. The win for Panathinaikos, combined with the Olympiacos loss, further tightened the top of the table as teams compete for home-court advantage in the postseason. Monaco is now scheduled to face Panathinaikos in an upcoming match that Mike James is highly likely to miss, depriving the game of a matchup between two of the league's premier backcourt stars. 3 (weeks) — maximum expected duration of James absence

The absence of Mike James leaves Monaco to rely more heavily on guards Elie Okobo and Matthew Strazel in the coming weeks. The team must navigate a difficult schedule without its primary offensive engine, who currently leads the squad in PIR with an average of 18.9 per game. Meanwhile, Panathinaikos continues to integrate its full roster following the return of Mathias Lessort, who remains a focal point of their interior defense and scoring. The medical staff at Monaco will monitor James's progress closely to determine if he can return ahead of the initial three-week estimate. Upcoming EuroLeague Schedule: — ; —